- Torah and Jewish Thought
- Repentance
How to Ask Forgivness
Question
How exactly do I ask G-d for forgivness for a wrong doing? Do I ask forgivness of the person wronged or of G-d, or of both? How do I know that G-d forgives me? Will he punish me? What is the fullest and most sincere way to ask for forgivness?
Answer
There are two types of sins – those between man and g-d and those between man and man. The first kind – you have to repent before Hashem only since the sin is only towards Hashem; the second kind if sins – the sin is towards Hashem and man and so you have to be atoned by G-d and man as well. More so the Rambam (Laws of Teshuvah 9;2) teaches that unless one resolves the conflict he had with the friend he will not be atoned for that sin.
If one is sincere with his Teshuvah and repentance, we are promised that we will be atoned. There's nothing that Teshuvah can't atone. Sincerity though, is measured by g-d himself not by man; however tears are a good indication.
The best level of Teshuvah will be out of love to Hashem and not the fear of the punishment or the bad feeling of the sin, "Teshuvah MeAhavah" in the words of our sages.
To get a better picture you might want to see the book "Laws of Teshuvah" by the Rambam (Maimonides).

Sins Between Yom Kipur and Sukkot
Various Rabbis | 25 Elul 5766

God’s Judgements
Rabbi Jonathan Blass | 10 Shevat 5763

Teshuva- for taking others "off the derech"
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Nisan 30, 5775

Ascending in the Right Pace
Rabbi David Samson | 17 Cheshvan 5764

Rabbi Elchanan Lewis
Former Rabbi of Jewish congregation in Perth, Australia

Pregnant at Funeral
20 Tammuz 5764

Davening for someone who is sick
13 Tammuz 5764

Young Guests
13 Tammuz 5764

Shaving During the Three Weeks
17 Tammuz 5764

Buying new things during the Omer
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 18, 5775

No-wedding days
Rabbi David Sperling | Sivan 20, 5772

Omer Days I can shave/cut hair
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 2, 5774

How can a cohen marry a convert
Rabbi David Sperling | Kislev 26, 5773
Tenach Melochim
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Iyyar 16, 5782
the hand symbol
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Iyyar 21, 5782

same names
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 23, 5782
