The month of Virgo—Elul in the kabbalistic calendar—is traditionally a time for us, once again, to take on the practice of teshuvah. While the word is often associated with “repentance,” its true meaning is the idea of “return.” Teshuvah is about returning to our truest selves, realigning with the Light of the Creator, and preparing our vessel to welcome the start of the new year at Rosh Hashanah.

According to Kabbalah, every misstep or mistake comes from a moment when our connection with the Light was blocked. The gift of teshuvah is that it allows us to go back and repair those breaks, bringing Light into the past so we can carry more Light into the future. Rav Berg even described it as a kind of spiritual time travel—something the kabbalists knew long before science fiction gave it a name.

While the gifts and the opportunities inherent in this practice might seem cosmic, the process itself is far from abstract. It’s practical and it’s personal.

Did we hurt someone with our words or actions?
We can heal the wound with sincere communication.

Did we harm ourselves with poor choices, limiting beliefs, or neglect?
We can revisit those moments and choose differently, offering ourselves the compassion we may never have received before. Sometimes the most transformative act is forgiving ourselves.

Review. Make an honest list of where you fell short this past year—moments you regret, words you wish you hadn’t said, choices you’d take back. If you’re unsure, ask a trusted friend where you can grow. Listen openly, without defense.

Practice Empathy. Step into the shoes of the person you hurt—even if that person is you. See the situation through their eyes. What would you want to hear if you were them?

Be Compassionate. When you apologize or take action, let your goal be compassion, not self-justification. This is about accountability, not clearing your name.

Connect to Your Perfected Self. Embrace the feedback and make the change. Responsibility is not punishment—it’s empowerment. Every correction is a gift you give yourself and the world.

Forgive. True forgiveness requires ego to soften and the heart to open. Can you forgive yourself? When you extend gentleness inward, it becomes easier to extend it outward.

Release. Finally, let it go. When you can look back and know in your soul you would not repeat the same mistakes, you’ve completed the process. From here, you step into the new year lighter, freer, and more aligned.

I invite you to use this list intimately throughout your process, remembering it isn’t about perfection but about progress.

The practice of teshuvah is not about shame—it’s about possibility. Before entering into this inventory, connect with the Creator and ask for guidance. Ask to be shown what needs repair, ask to be led gently to the moment you most need to return to and heal. Trust that your practice of teshuvah will take you exactly where your soul needs to go.

In all honesty, it’s not fun to see our flaws, and at times, it can be painful. But if we are willing to really see ourselves – flawed and all –that is the first step in transforming into who we are destined to become. With no regrets.

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