Powerful Steps to Grow Spiritually and Get Closer to God

Returning to faith (teshuvah) is a unique journey into a different world — a refined and spiritual reality, a path of light and joy. It is a deeply personal process of drawing closer to God, of returning to the closest place possible to our Father in Heaven, who loves us and to whom we are His children. Following are seven golden principles for someone beginning or strengthening their journey.

1. Remember the Goal

It is essential to always remember why we are doing this. We have a path and a purpose, and it is worth everything. Sometimes we forget that.

If a person could truly see that God stands before them, they would never sin. If a person understood the higher worlds and saw the impact of every mitzvah and every transgression, they would spend every moment fulfilling mitzvot without pause.

If we could see the World to Come right now, we would do everything to reach the best place there. Because we live in a state of hiddenness, we allow ourselves to fall. That is why it is so important to constantly remind ourselves of the purpose, our role, and our ultimate destination.

2. Understand That It’s a Process

It’s important to understand that returning to faith takes time. No one becomes righteous overnight. Like anything meaningful in life, it requires effort and gradual growth.

3. Slow but Steady

The process of teshuvah is long, and it does not happen all at once. It’s not a “quick fix.” Transitioning from one lifestyle to a completely different one, with new priorities and a life filled with Torah and mitzvot — even while engaged in the physical world, is not immediate or simple.

You cannot skip steps. Growth happens one level at a time. Slowly but steadily, you will go far. Patience is critical. Rushing forward too quickly can backfire, as it can lead to instability and setbacks.

4. Avoid Extremes

It is very important to stay far from extremism. Often, the initial excitement of discovery leads people to take extreme steps, sometimes against themselves, and sometimes against their family or environment.

It’s essential to remember that you are still learning. You need to build the inner tools to understand and absorb everything properly. Extremes rarely lead to success. At the beginning, it can be hard to distinguish between true dedication and unhealthy extremism, and it is therefore wise to consult a knowledgeable rabbi familiar with this journey.

5. Learn — So You Can Know

Like anything in life, if you don’t learn, you don’t know.

If you buy a new washing machine, you need to read the instructions to use it correctly. Otherwise, you may damage it. The same applies here. The first stage of teshuvah is learning, by studying Jewish law, attending classes, and understanding how to observe mitzvot properly.

To connect with God through mitzvot, you must know how to fulfill them. Simply put: if you learn, you will know.

6. Find Personal Guidance

It is highly recommended to find a rabbi who can guide you along your journey. A good mentor will help you find appropriate study material, answer your questions, and support you through challenges.

It is especially important to choose someone experienced with people returning to faith, who understands the struggles and complexities of the process.

7. Don’t Despair

One of the main tools of the evil inclination is discouragement. It tries to make a person feel like they are failing, unable to maintain their growth.

Sometimes, this feeling is based on misunderstanding. As you learn more, you may realize you did nothing wrong. But even if you truly made a mistake, despair is not the answer.

The Baal Shem Tov taught that the despair after a sin is worse than the sin itself. The goal of the negative inclination is to make you give up.

God wants us to draw closer to Him from where we are. You don’t need to reach perfection overnight — only to move forward, step by step. God does not compare you to others, but to yourself. If yesterday you were in one place, today you should strive to be slightly better.

8. Attend Torah Classes

Torah study is essential for anyone who wants to grow spiritually. Without it, we cannot properly observe mitzvot, and the learning itself elevates us to higher spiritual levels.

Today, it is easier than ever to access Torah learning anytime and anywhere. However, there is no substitute for attending real, in-person classes. Studying in a beit midrash, with a partner (chavruta), creates a unique and powerful atmosphere that cannot be replaced.

It is important to set fixed times for learning, according to your ability. Some may study ten minutes a day, others much more. The key is consistency and connection to the learning.

Remember the words of our Sages: “According to the effort is the reward.” The greater the effort, the greater the spiritual reward. Even when the path is difficult, know that every challenge brings you one step closer to God.