Nitazvim: Teshuva- Face to Face

By Rabbi Ezra Friedman

The concept in Judaism that one can repent from previous sins is very unique. Teshuva (repentance), or the process of returning to Hashem following our sins, changes our whole being. In this article, we will elaborate on the commandment of Teshuva and how to achieve its’ full potential.

In this week’s Parsha, the Mitzvah of Teshuva is mentioned (Devarim, 30, 2-3):

וְשַׁבְתָּ עַד ד’ אֱלֹקֶיךָ וְשָׁמַעְתָּ בְקֹלוֹ כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם אַתָּה וּבָנֶיךָ בְּכָל לְבָבְךָ וּבְכָל נַפְשֶׁךָ. וְשָׁב ד’ אֱלֹקֶיךָ אֶת שְׁבוּתְךָ וְרִחֲמֶךָ וְשָׁב וְקִבֶּצְךָ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים אֲשֶׁר הֱפִיצְךָ ד’ אֱלֹקיךָ שָׁמָּה. אִם יִהְיֶה נִדַּחֲךָ בִּקְצֵה הַשָּׁמָיִם מִשָּׁם יְקַבֶּצְךָ ד’ אֱלֹקֶיךָ וּמִשָּׁם יִקָּחֶךָ. וֶהֱבִיאֲךָ ד’ אֱלֹקֶיךָ אֶל הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר יָרְשׁוּ אֲבֹתֶיךָ וִירִשְׁתָּהּ וְהֵיטִבְךָ וְהִרְבְּךָ מֵאֲבֹתֶיךָ.

 And you will return to Hashem your God and pay attention to what he has said, which will be exactly what I am ordering you to do today — you and your children, with all your heart and all your being. At that point, Hashem your God will reverse your exile and show you mercy; he will return and gather you from all the peoples to which Hashem your God scattered you.

Ramban (Nachmanides) and other medieval commentators cite these verses as the source for the Mitzvah of Teshuva. According to our sages, Teshuva has three essential parts, resentment of the sin itself, confession, and resolution for the future. All three stages are necessary in order to perform the mitzvah of Teshuva. Ramban elaborates that the commandment requires an emotional process. In other words, the process requires a sincere change in one’s heart.

Rambam, (Maimonides), however, has a very different take on Teshuva. (Mishnei Torah, Teshuva 1,1):

כל מצות שבתורה בין עשה בין לא תעשה אם עבר אדם על אחת מהן בין בזדון בין בשגגה כשיעשה תשובה וישוב מחטאו חייב להתודות לפני האל ברוך הוא…
If a person transgresses any of the Mitzvot of the Torah, whether a positive command or a negative command – whether willingly or inadvertently – when he repents, and returns from his sin, he must confess before Hashem, blessed be,

According to the Rambam, the commandment of Teshuva is only on the second stage, that of confession, rather than the resentment of the sin and the resolution to change. We see this in the Rambam’s wording “when he repents and returns from his sin, he must confess…”.

However, a person may come to repent without ever feeling a need to confess his sins. For example, a criminal may come to repent as a result of the negative way society views him, without ever confessing his sins. Also, he may repent due to fear of punishment, rather than regretting his sin. The Rambam teaches that true Teshuva is done when a sinner stands and confesses in front of his Maker. He must testify in detail the sins that he’s committed. The objective of Teshuva is not just to repent from a sin, but rather to repent from being a sinner. Teshuva changes the essence of who we are and uplifts us to a new state of being.

During the High Holidays, we try our best to improve ourselves spiritually and return to our higher selves. When we ask forgiveness from Hashem or from our fellow man, it is important to face those who we have wronged and admit our wrongdoings. When we stand in prayer on Rosh Hashana, we should realize the presence of Hashem is before us. May we merit this year to fulfill the mitzvah of Teshuva by admitting our wrongdoings, thereby enabling us to reach greater heights in our service of Hashem. Shana Tova.