The Essence Of Teshuva: Rambam’s Surprising Claim

Rambam believed that comprehension of Teshuva was as fundamental to Judaism as a belief in God or belief in the divinity of the Torah. Why did he believe Teshuva, of all things, was as important as those pillars of Judaism that, if they were removed, you would simply no longer have Judaism? Isn’t that a bit much? Or does Rambam understand teshuva greater than us all?

In a pursuit to answer such questions, we have to analyze how Rambam saw Teshuva. Oddities come up. For instance, why does Rambam believe Teshuva has halachic properties? We don’t see him treat similar concepts, like free will or emuna, as halacha. Does having a “halacha” status change the concept? And why does Rambam only start discussing Teshuva in the second chapter of Hilchot Teshuva? What was more important that it needs to take up chapter one?

In searching for an answer, we find that the mainstream approach of the essence of Teshuva is INCORRECT according to the Rambam. What is his explanation for the true essence of Teshuva? And how does this missing puzzle piece change everything?