Tanya Igeres Hateshuva Chapter 1g

In this episode of Clearing the Mud we talk about how although verbally confessing our wrongdoings and seeking forgiveness can aid us in achieving atonement, it is not the core aspect of the Teshuva process. The fundamental mitzvah of Teshuva is oriented towards the future and entails accepting God’s authority and committing to altering our behavior. Rather than dwelling on our past transgressions and the associated shame, Teshuvah is about looking ahead and consciously improving ourselves. While fasting was once utilized to accelerate the process of atonement, it is not considered a critical component of Teshuva today.