In Jewish tradition, the Hebrew term for repentance or return to God is teshuvah.
Teshuvah literally means “return,” reflecting the idea of turning back toward ethical and religious commitments. Classical Jewish teaching describes repentance as involving recognition of wrongdoing, remorse, confession, making amends where possible, and resolving not to repeat the offense. The process is especially associated with the period from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur.
Teshuvah is not limited to private feelings. Jewish ethics emphasizes repairing harm done to another person, and Yom Kippur does not traditionally atone for wrongs against other people until forgiveness has been sought. Maimonides gives a famous systematic discussion of repentance in his Mishneh Torah. Teshuvah should not be confused with tzedakah, which generally means justice or charitable giving, or with tefillah, the Hebrew term for prayer.