The main aspect of teshuvah—return to G‑d—is in the heart. The Alter Rebbe explains that when a person feels חרטה מעומקא דלבא—remorse from the depths of his heart—this itself arouses the depth of the supreme light above.

This means that the real power of teshuvah is not just in words or actions, but in a deep, inner feeling of regret and longing to reconnect with Hashem. When that feeling is genuine and comes from the innermost place in the heart, it has the ability to awaken a corresponding depth in the spiritual realms—a light that is otherwise unreachable.

However, in order for this supreme light to actually be drawn down and illuminate the worlds—both the higher and the lower realms—something more is needed. The Alter Rebbe says we require an actual אתעדל"ת ממש—a real isarusa deletata, an arousal from below, in the form of a concrete action.

It's not enough for teshuvah to remain an internal feeling. To bring this light into reality, to have it shine in all the worlds, we must do something tangible. This is a key principle: spiritual arousal in the heart must be translated into action in the physical world.

What is this action? The Alter Rebbe specifies: it is the act of tzedokah and chesed—giving charity and performing kindness—בלי גבול ומדה, without any limit or measure.

This means that the way to draw down this infinite light is through acts of generosity that are not restricted by calculations or boundaries. The more a person gives, without holding back, the more he opens himself to receive this boundless light from above.

The Alter Rebbe elaborates on the meaning of חסד—chesed, kindness. He notes that the word itself is made up of ח"ס דלי"ת: the ches (ח) stands for rachmones, compassion, and the dalet (ד) represents the dal, the poor person—someone who has nothing of his own.

When a person gives to the poor and needy, he should not set a limit or measure to his giving and influence. This is the model for how Hashem bestows His goodness: Hashem gives with chesed ilo—the supreme, upper level of kindness, called rav chesed, great kindness. This light shines in a way that is בלי גבול ומדה—without any limit or measure—within all the worlds, both higher and lower.

All of creation, compared to Hashem, is like a דלי"ת—a pauper, having nothing of its own. As the Alter Rebbe says, כולא קמיה כלא חשיבי—everything before Him is considered as nothing. When a person acts in this way, giving without limit, he repairs all the blemishes caused by his sins, both in the higher and lower worlds.

This is the meaning of the verse: "Aso tzedokah u'mishpot, nifkhela sheh mizavach"—doing charity and justice is more desirable to Hashem than bringing a sacrifice.

The reason is that korbonos—sacrifices—are always given in a measured, limited way. There are specific amounts and boundaries to what is brought. In contrast, with tzedokah, a person can give בלי גבול—without limit—in order to repair his sins. This unlimited giving is more precious and effective than the fixed, measured offering of a sacrifice.

But what about the teaching of Chazal that "hamevazvez, al yevazvez yeser mechomesh"—one who spends should not spend more than a fifth (20%) of his wealth? The Alter Rebbe clarifies that this applies only to someone who has not sinned, or who has already repaired his sins through proper sigufim—self-affliction—and fasting as required, to fix all the blemishes above.

In other words, the normal limitation on giving applies only when a person is not in need of spiritual repair. If he has already done teshuvah and corrected his mistakes, then the regular guidelines for tzedokah apply.

However, for someone who still needs to repair his soul, the Alter Rebbe says it is obvious that healing the soul is no less important than healing the body. When it comes to physical health, no amount of money is considered too much to spend for a cure.

Similarly, when it comes to spiritual healing, there is no calculation—money is not considered. The need to fix the soul overrides the usual limitations, just as one would spare no expense to save his physical life.

This is the meaning of the verse, "V'chol asher la'ish yitein ba'ad nafsho"—a person will give everything he has for his life.

In the context of teshuvah and spiritual repair, this teaches us that when it comes to saving one's soul, nothing is too much. One must be willing to give all that he possesses in order to achieve true spiritual healing and connection with Hashem.