A new book, “Teshuvah Myths,” released today by Principles Press and written by Levi Liberow, delves into the deeper meaning of teshuvah in Jewish thought and practice. With Yom Kippur approaching, this timely new title aims to dispel common misconceptions that obscure the transformative power of sincere teshuvah.

 As the author explains, “Teshuvah means to return, but it also means ‘answer.’ Perhaps it’s Hashem’s answer to the human being torn between the desire to be good and his selfish nature.” He notes that teshuvah is one of the 613 mitzvos, with the power to rectify shortcomings in all the others. “Like anything revolutionary, it has been burdened with its fair share of myths obscuring its true image.”

 The book analyzes myths that mistake teshuvah as relevant only for major sins, or that place it on an unattainable pedestal. The book draws on classical Torah sources ranging from halacha to Chassidic and mussar writings, providing the original texts along with explanation. “Most myths are not completely baseless; some are exaggerations and misappropriations and others are misunderstandings of true ideas,” he writes in his introduction.

 Ultimately, “Teshuvah Myths” aims to uncover a fresh perspective on this mitzvah, which Jewish tradition teaches is so ancient it predates sin itself