The Essence of Teshuvah

The Chofetz Chaim used to ask what people imagine a baal teshuvah to be, and whether he must dress in sackcloth. He does not. Think of a witness at a chuppah, who has to be fit to testify. The rav tells him that he must do teshuvah, and the Jew simply steps aside and says that he regrets the past and asks for Heavenly help in the future. That is all teshuvah is, with no clever devices and no show for the eyes of others. Someone who knows that he is weak in one respect must labor to repair it, and nothing beyond that.