How to Atone for Wasted Seed?

Greetings,

First, one must engage in complete repentance for the sin, which includes feeling regret for the sin, verbally confessing (as detailed below), and accepting upon oneself not to return to this sin ever again in the future (Rambam, Laws of Repentance, Chapter 2, Law 2).

The verbal confession means one should say, "Please, Hashem, I have sinned, I have acted wickedly, I have transgressed before You and have done thus and such, and I am ashamed of my actions, and I shall never return to this matter" (Rambam, ibid, Chapter 1, Law 1).

In order for the atonement to be complete, one should take upon oneself, without a vow, to increase in Torah study daily—more than what one was accustomed to until now.

Sources: Refer to the book of Tanya (Letter of Repentance, Chapter 9) which states that since the breach of the covenant results from wasteful seed, and certainly from sexual prohibitions, whether Biblical or Rabbinic (for the words of the Sages are grave, etc.), it affects the mind; therefore, its correction is through engaging in Torah, which emanates from wisdom. This is likened to a rope that is broken and tied again, such that the knot is doubled and reinforced. Likewise, it is the case with one’s heritage, etc. See there.

Additionally, see the responsa of the Maharsham, Part 1 (end of Section 58) who proved from the Zohar (Ruth, Section 12) that repentance is effective for this sin when combined with Torah study, and this clarifies what is written in the Zohar (Parashat Vayechi) that repentance alone is ineffective for this sin without the study of Torah. Also see there Part 3 (in the indexes Section 258, in the discussion) where he later found in Rashi in the book of Ezekiel (Chapter 23, Verse 37 in the gloss) that this is explicitly stated as well. This is also explained in the responsa Yabia Omer, Part 1 (Yoreh De'ah, Section 14, Clause 14) and in the book Chazon Ovadia, Days of Awe (page 278).

Moreover, see the book Keter Rosh (Section 143) in the name of the Gaon of Vilna, Zatzal; Agley Tal (in the introduction, in the discussion), Mishna Berura (Section 566, Paragraph 3), and what is written regarding this in the responsa Aderet Tiferet, Part 3 (Section 56). Furthermore, see the responsa Igrot Moshe, Part Orach Chaim, Part 4 (Section 116) and Part 6 (Section 40) on what he wrote regarding the order of repentance for the sin of adultery.

With blessings,

Hillel Meirs