Repentance (known as Teshuva (Hebrew: תשובה, literally "return"), is the way of atoning for sin in Judaism.
Repentance is a change of thought to correct a wrong and gain forgiveness from Hashem when sinned (or a person who is wronged).
Read Steps of Repentance
Steps of Repentance
According to Shaarei Teshuvah, a standard work of Jewish ethics written by Rabbenu Yonah of Gerona, if someone commits a sin, a forbidden act, he can be forgiven for that sin if he performs teshuva, which includes:
- Regretting/acknowledging the sin
- Forsaking the sin (see below)
- Worrying about the future consequences of the sin
- Acting and speaking with humility
- Acting in a way opposite to that of the sin (for example, for the sin of lying, one should speak the truth)
- Understanding the magnitude of the sin
- Refraining from lesser sins for the purpose of safeguarding oneself against committing greater sins
- Confessing the sin (see below)
- Praying for atonement
- Correcting the sin however possible (for example, if one stole an object, the stolen item must be returned or if one slanders another, the slanderer must ask the injured party for forgiveness)
- Pursuing works of chesed and truth
- Remembering the sin for the rest of one's life
- Refraining from committing the same sin if the opportunity presents itself again
- Teaching others not to sin
Guides to the process of repentance in Judaism can be found through the rabbinical literature, see especially Maimonides' Rules of Repentance in the Mishneh Torah.
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