TIKKUN - REPAIR, RESTORATION

Petra Hadžidaova
Dec 14, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Jan 2

If you see what needs to be repaired and know how to repair it, then you have found a piece of the world that God has left you to perfect. But if you only see what is wrong and what is ugly, then it is you yourself that needs repairing. - Menachem Mendel Schneerson

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INTRODUCTION

The news of Jerusalem still being in ruins saddened Nehemiah greatly. It filled him with despair. Why one can wonder. He turned to God in humbleness and repentance for the sins of his whole nation to be forgiven. Intercession was on his mind. In prayer, he petitioned El Elyon to remember His people and decree.

As it always is when we pray according to God's will, his prayers were answered. He was granted an opportunity to express his desire to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem to the king he served. Favor he found and provision. So began the journey of the restoration of Jerusalem's walls. One that quickly came to fruition for God's hand was all over the plans. He had restoration - tikkun - in mind for His people, His Temple, and Jerusalem. It was time for spiritual and physical tikkun to take place.

Today, we will look into the Hebrew word for restoration, tikkun.

THE HEBREW WORD TIKKUN

The Hebrew word tikkun can have several meanings. Usually it is translated as repair, but can also mean "to improve, fix, prepare, set up, or just to do something with…". It can also describe the action of "making something crooked straight again". (2, 3)

We can clearly begin to see how tikkun is closely related to the walk of every believer. Each one of us is on a journey back to the Source and Creator of all. We are in need of finding the right paths that lead us there.

TIKKUN OLAM

In Judaism, a teaching emerged for the first time in the Talmud, rabbinical commentaries compiled during the 1st millennium CE. It is called tikkun olam. Tikkun, as established, means repair; olam, on the other hand, means world. Together, they capture the concept of repairing the world. (4)

This teaching is not mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, but a similar concept is summarised in Genesis and Eden. We as co-laborers with God are called to steward Earth, and all that is in it, in a godly manner, and in the concept of tikkun olam repair the brokenness we now see in the world.

The kabbalah redefined the term and assigned to it a backstory in the Middle Ages, though I personally do not know if it has sound ground to stand upon or is sound doctrine. Also, I am unsure of kabbalah itself altogether. (4)

In the modern sense, tikkun olam is often associated with social justice activities, but I believe ultimately what it can be summed up in is "love thy neighbor as thyself" by doing the small, godly, and loving things. Something not so easily done always, right?

YESHUA AND TIKKUN OLAM

Yeshua came to restore what was lost. He came to set the crooked paths straight. He is the way back to God. He was the gift that never stops giving. For all those who believe in Him will never perish but have everlasting life. The Son of Man came to redeem man back to God and release us from the curse of death.

He loved all to the point that He was willing to go on the cross. Now those who believe in Him have the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our Helper. He empowers us to overcome whatever life may throw our way. There are also other believers all around us that help us along the way, too.

CONCLUSION

God is in the business of restoration. The Hebrew word for restoration is tikkun. It is usually translated as "repair", but can also mean "to improve, fix, prepare, set up, or just to do something with…". It can also describe the action of "making something crooked straight again". A teaching emerged for the first time in the Talmud. It is called tikkun olam. While tikkun means repair, olam means world. Together, they capture the concept of repairing the world.

Yeshua came to restore the world. He came to restore what was lost and set the crooked paths straight. He is the way back to God. He was the gift that never stops giving. For all those who believe in Him will never perish but have everlasting life.