How to Atone for the Sin of Wasting Seed

Greetings,

Firstly, one must engage in complete repentance for the sin, which means feeling remorse for the sin, confessing verbally (as detailed below), and making a commitment for the future not to return to this sin again (Rambam, Laws of Repentance, Chapter 2, Halacha 2).

The verbal confession should state: "Please, Hashem, I have sinned, I have committed iniquity, I have transgressed before You, and I have done such and such, and behold, I am regretful and embarrassed by my actions, and I will never return to this behavior" (Rambam, ibid, Chapter 1, Halacha 1).

In order for the atonement to be complete, one should undertake, without making a vow, to increase their study of Torah daily—more than what they were accustomed to until now.

Sources: See the book Tanya (Letter of Repentance, Chapter 9), which states that the breach of the covenant in the act of spilling seed, not to mention in matters of inappropriate relations, whether biblically prohibited or rabbinically, negatively affects the mind, and thus the remedy is to engage in Torah study, from which wisdom derives. This is also noted in Tanna deBei Eliyahu (I have not found it at the moment, but it is found in Vayikra Rabba, Parsha 25, Section A), where it is stated that if a person commits a sin and is condemned to death, what should he do to live? If he was accustomed to read one page, he should read two pages; if he used to study one chapter, he should study two chapters, etc. This is analogous to a broken rope being tied together again, in which the knot is doubled and reinforced. And this is true regarding the rope of his inheritance, etc. As stated there.

Additionally, see Responsa of Maharam Shick, Part 1 (end of section 58), which proves from the Zohar (section Ruth, section 12) that repentance is effective for this sin in conjunction with the study of Torah, and this proves that which is written in the Zohar (Parsha Vayechi) that repentance does not help for this sin unless accompanied by the study of Torah. And see there, Part 3 (in the keys section, section 268, beginning) where he found in Rashi on the book of Yechezkel (Chapter 23, Verse 37 in the commentary) that it is likewise clearly stated. It is also indicated in Responsa Yabia Omer, Part 1 (Section Yoreh De'ah, Section 14, Paragraph 14) and in his book Chazon Ovadia for the Days of Awe (page 218).

Also, see the book Keter Ras (section 143) quoting the Gaon of Vilna, of blessed memory, Aglai Tal (in the introduction, beginning), Mishnah Berurah (Section Tzitzit, rule 203, subsection 3), and what is written in this matter in Responsa Adrat Tiferet, Part 3 (Section 56). Additionally, see Responsa Igrot Moshe, Part 4 of Orach Chaim, Section 116, and Part 6 (Section 40) where he writes the order of repentance for the sin of immorality with the hand and its implications.

Blessings,

Hillel Meirs