Moving Forward with Forgiveness

Rambam Chapter 2:4

Among the paths of repentance is for the penitent to

a) constantly call out before God, crying and entreating;

b) to perform charity according to her potential;

c) to separate herself far from the object of her sin;

d) to change her name, as if to say, "I am a different person and not the same who sinned";

e) to change the behavior in its entirety to the good and the path of righteousness; and

f) to travel in exile from her home. Exile atones for sin because it causes a person to be submissive, humble, and meek of spirit.

Siddur Sefard, Bedtime Sh'ma

Master of the Universe, behold, I now forgive all who have angered or provoked me, or sinned against me, whether to my body, my property, my honor, or to all that may belong to me, whether they were forced, it was intentional, unintentional or unaware, or with full awareness and intention whether through speech or act whether in this incarnation or another incarnation--every person--and bey they not be punished at all on account of me.