Although widely translated as repentance, teshuvah is more correctly translated as returning—returning to Hashem. Teshuvah encompasses numerous steps: abandoning the sin, regretting one’s past actions, making a resolution for the future, and viduy (verbally confessing one’s sins to Hashem).
In case one wronged another person, asking for forgiveness is required as well. If applicable, one must make right the misdeed they committed; if one stole, for example, they are not forgiven unless they return the stolen object.
Whereas all of the above are components of teshuvah, and they are important in terms of achieving complete atonement, they are not part of the actual mitzvah of teshuvah. Fasting and self-imposed afflictions may also be of help, but neither is a component of doing teshuvah. The core principal of teshuvah is returning to Hashem. This is achieved through abandoning the negative behavior and resolving not to sin again.
In Sefer HaTanya, the Alter Rebbe puts forth a novel concept: it is not sufficient to resolve not to repeat a particular sin, but one is also required to resolve not to rebel against Hashem’s Kingship again, and to keep all of Hashem’s mitzvot in the future.
Rav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, shlita, member of the Badatz of Crown Heights; 1 Minute Halacha #381, reprinted from crownheightsconnect.com
