The concept of repentance shows us the great power of the Holy One’s love and mercy. For let us consider: after all, man’s purpose in existence is only to obey the will of G-d. Therefore, when he sins, by right, justice should decree that man be destroyed... like anything else that goes against the very purpose of its being. But G-d’s love and mercy override His justice... and He is always ready to forgive man. This is what King David meant when he wrote, “G-d is good and upright, He shows sinners the way” (Psalms 25:8). G-d made it clear through His prophet Ezekiel that this is His purpose:

“As I live, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that he turn from his way and live”
(Ez. 33:11)

Even though G-d is all-powerful and could “retaliate” immediately against those who sin against Him, He prefers to bide His time, giving man a chance to repent before punishing him. Thus we find the verse in Isaiah, “For My name’s sake, I will be patient; and for My praise, I will restrain (My anger) from you, that I not cut you off (Is. 48:9). This is the reason why the doors of repentance always remain open... since it forms such a basic part of G-d’s plan. Even in a situation wherein the attribute of strict justice would shut closed the doors of repentance in a sinner’s face, G-d is ready to admit him. As we have mentioned, even if a person is wicked for all his life, G-d still gives him the opportunity to repent.

However, there is a condition for real and lasting, successful repentance... the one who wants to repent must make the first move. It is not up to G-d to seek him out; man must make the first move to seek out G-d. Commenting on this, the rabbis teach, “When one comes to cleanse himself, then G-d helps him.”

So how does one begin the process of repenting? What does it consist of? Just saying, "Sorry"?

We are taught that repentance consists of four elements:

1. Changing one’s ways
2. Sincere regret
3. Confession to G-d
4. Resolve not to repeat the sin

Each of these four stages can clearly be seen in the prophet’s warning:

“Return, Israel, to G-d your L-rd (1), for you have regretted your sin (2), take along words (3), and return to G-d. Say to Him, ‘...we will no longer make gods out of the work of our hands’ (4)” (Hosea 14:2,4).

When a person commits a sin, spiritual damage is done to his faculties - his thoughts, speech, and actions (the three main avenues of human endeavor). Of the four distinct stages listed above, the last three are necessary to undo this spiritual damage. For regret involves one’s thoughts, confession (‘take along words’ - the words of admitting the sin) is for speech, and resolve is to rectify the action itself.

However the first prerequisite for repentance is to change one’s ways and abandon the practice of sin. If one tries to repent while still maintaining an involvement in the sin, he is compared to a person who tries to clean himself while still holding on to something filthy; what can he accomplish? So the first, and most important step to repentance, is to change one’s life. Thus the prophets state, “Let the wicked man forsake his way” (Isaiah 55:7) and “Cast away all your transgressions” (Ezekiel 18:31). In order to truly engage in repentance, the sin must be cast away and discarded forever. And in doing this - one’s motivation should be the fear of G-d, and the shame of having sinned before him.

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