Editing Teshuvah (section)

==== The Order of Teshuvah ====

* '''Teshuvah - Abandoning Sin''': The minimum necessary requirement for teshuvah from the Torah is abandoning the sin - meaning, deciding to leave the evil path and no longer rebel against Hashem by transgressing His mitzvos, both positive and negative commandments. This is expressed in halacha regarding a rasha who is invalid for testimony, that when examined and found to have abandoned his previous evil deeds, he becomes valid for testimony. Similarly in the laws of kiddushin, if one betroths a woman on condition that he is a complete tzaddik, even though he was previously completely wicked - the kiddushin is valid out of doubt, as perhaps he had thoughts of teshuvah. From here we see that one thought is sufficient to be considered a tzaddik.

Despite the fact that the thought of abandoning sin is only the minimum requirement, it actually has an advantage over the other aspects needed for complete teshuvah - because through this thought occurs the innovation of transforming from rasha to complete tzaddik, and is therefore considered the "birth" of the baal teshuvah which is the point and root of his entire existence.

* '''Complete Teshuvah - Viduy''': In addition to the thought, the Torah establishes that one who does teshuvah must confess their sin and seek forgiveness from Hashem, as commanded: "And they shall confess their sin that they committed." Although even without verbal confession and only through thought one becomes a complete tzaddik as mentioned above, their teshuvah is not complete unless they confess.
* '''Purpose of Teshuvah - Kapparah''': Beyond the teshuvah that a person must do - abandoning sin and confession - there is also the Jew's work to effect Hashem's atonement for their sin. For this purpose, the Alter Rebbe brings at the beginning of Igeres HaTeshuvah the words of the Tannaim about different forms of atonement for transgressions, to emphasize that although a Jew is only required to do their work in teshuvah, nevertheless their goal should be to do what they can so that Hashem will grant them atonement.

As part of this work, one must fast in order to effect Hashem's atonement.

* '''After Teshuvah - Ritzuy''': Even after achieving atonement for the sin, one must work to return to being desired and beloved before Hashem as before the sin, and this is accomplished through a korban olah or in our times - through fasts