Videos on Repentance (Teshuvah)

Xtreme gardening reaches new heights as Rabbi Infinity learns a great strategy called "overseeding"--and it works for people-gardens, too.

Three perspectives on the definition of Teshuvah and the role of confession. (Based on Likutei Sichos vol. 38, parshas Naso, sicha 1)

When one partner betrays the other, for reconciliation to occur, each must feel that “we are so connected that you mean more to me than whatever it was that you did.”

Our Sages extol the virtue of “Teshuva and good deeds.” But why do they praise the path of repentance before the path of purity? Shouldn’t repentance for misdeeds be enumerated after we speak of doing good deeds?

Kraziness has its drawbacks--or rather, drawdowns, like the letter kuf that reaches below the line. But kraziness can also reach very high. Find out how as this week's KabbalaToon episode explores the monkey-letter, kuf.

Miri tells the story of a neshamah that came down to earth to shine light, but got into big trouble instead—and how a shofar rescued the neshamah from despair.

Good folk, when they repent, cry over their bad deeds. Really good folk, saints, Tzaddikim, cry over something else altogether.

Biblical perspectives on good and evil are usually seen as a conventional polarity of white versus black. But in a strikingly post modernist approach, the Chassidic notion of repentance deconstructs this narrative. Sin is not all evil, but provides unique opportunity for spiritual transformation and the ultimate fulfillment of the divine purpose.

Based on traditional sources, an examination of whether or not repentance on Yom Kippur ever provides complete catharsis for the individual.

What is Teshuva and how should we approach doing it?

What does it really mean to repent? What feelings or actions does true repentance consist of?

How to properly experience the High Holiday season when your heart and head are burdened with challenges, worries, and frustrations from day to day anxieties.

Understanding the mitzvah of teshuvah, more than just repentance, rather returning to G-d, explained on five levels.

As we approach Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, join Rabbi Sacks on an intellectual journey to explore the concept and deep meanings of teshuvah (repentance).

What constitutes Teshuva and how is the relationship with G-d restored? To properly return in earnest, we must probe the deep mystical meaning of teshuva.

Study the daily lesson of Sefer HaMitzvos for day 17 with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, where he teaches the mitzvah in-depth with added insight and detail.

Understanding the mechanics of how repentance actually repairs spiritual damage in the cosmos.

Learn refreshing perspectives and practical ways to do teshuvah (repentance) to attain atonement and forgiveness.

Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the ten days in between are a time of "teshuvah" (returning to G-d.) Third in a 3-part series about the High Holidays.

How one student interpreted the master's teaching and made it accessible for others.

Earnestly embracing the moment as a way of experiencing intimacy with G-d.

Letting go of selfish and worldly attachments to become sensitive to the needs of the Beloved.

Why being on good terms with other people is a prerequisite to being on good terms with G-d.

Intimacy with G-d reveals personal meaning in the ups and downs of life.

The importance of preserving modesty in our most intimate relationship.

Teshuva requires that a person make an honest assessment of his spiritual standing. To do this, it would seem ideal to isolate oneself from all distractions, to focus on one’s past deeds. Why do we see, that on Yom Kippur – the main day for Teshuvah of the whole year – we spend the entire day in a public place, in synagogue, together with so many others?

“To renounce Judaism for another religion is the worst sin. The fact that you think you’re happy now only reveals how unhealthy your situation is... May G-d bless you to become healthy – and the main thing: to become a Jew openly, and proclaim to all the people around you that G-d has so much mercy that He forgives even the biggest sin that can be done.”

Maimonides teaches that “genuine” repentance is when the “Knower of Secrets,” G-d himself, can attest that a person will never commit the same sin again. Yet practically, Jewish law judges a person only by his current, observable deeds and not by what he has in his heart, or what the future may hold.

A Talmudic passage about marriage helps us gain a deeper understanding of the journey of teshuva, repentance.

The Alter Rebbe assures us in Tanya that the efforts of those who follow in his ways, inspiring their fellow Jews to return to G-d, will have an “eternal” effect.

“Seek G-d when he is found, call Him when He is near.” Our sages teach that this verse refers to the Ten Days Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, when our repentance is especially effective and accepted immediately by G-d.

The Torah is replete with the stories of our forefathers and foremothers. Highlighting their righteous and saintly behavior, it’s supposed to inspire us to emulate their ways. But are such lofty heights really achievable for any of us? And what if we’ve already messed up in the past?

In his work, Iggeres Hateshuvah, the Alter Rebbe explains that there are two levels of repentance. While the first brings about a change in the person’s conduct, it is the second, higher level, which revolutionizes his entire inner world.

Footage from the Rebbe’s 1981 gathering (Tishrei 6, 5742) commemorating the yahrtzeit (anniversary of passing) of Rebbetzen Chana Schneerson, the Rebbe’s mother.

The harder your roots have to work to get to the water, the more intense will be the taste of your wine.

The only thing to be done with sinful behavior is to stop it, to repent for it, and never to return to it. As for the power of desire that leads to the sin, it has significantly more positive possibilities.

The Metzora is the consummate Outsider. Of his own accord, he exists on the margins of society. And yet his tormented ostracism is the place where he finds his innermost connection with G-d.