"Let the wicked one leave his way and the sinful man his thoughts; let him return to HaShem and He will show him mercy; [return] to our God for He is abundantly forgiving." Yeshaya (Isaiah) 55:7
The word teshuva means return. If a person violates one of HaShem's commandments (mitzvos), he is required to "return" to God. Teshuva consists of three basic steps:
- Admitting your sin(s) to HaShem. This step is called vidui. This is a private matter. In general it is not proper to tell other people about the wrong things you have done.
- Feeling regret that you sinned.
- Making a commitment not to repeat
the sin.
A person who properly fulfills the mitzva
of teshuva is forgiven for his sins.
Although the mitzvah of teshuva applies all year, it takes on special significance in the period preceding the holidays of Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur. On these holidays we are judged for the past year and HaShem decides how we will be rewarded or, God forbid, punished. For this reason the month preceding Rosh HaShana, Elul, is a special time for teshuva.
It is very important to remember that everything we do for Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, such as praying, blowing the shofar, fasting, and all of the other mitzvos and customs of this time, will only earn us forgiveness for our sins if they are accompanied by teshuva. Empty acts will not accomplish this goal.
© Eliezer C. AbrahamsonRelated Books Available from Barnes & Noble:
Shaarei
Teshuva - Gates of Repentance - A translation of the classic work
on teshuva.
Viduy - The full text of the Yom Kippur confession with translation and commentary.
Jewish Basics
or to the
Guide to the Jewish Year
or to Lazer's
Talmud Torah
