Is There Really No Tshuva for a Habitual Sin?

A mishna sounds like it closes the door on repentance — a closer read says it’s still ajar.

Q. Is there really no way to fix an unforgivable sin?

It’s true that the mishna teaches that whoever premeditates and says: I’ll sin and then do tshuva (return/repentence), I’ll sin and then do tshuva, successful tshuva is not granted to him”. But commentaries point out, that’s referring to someone who, as a matter of habit, says so (that’s why it’s repeated there twice). But if one does this on one occasion, and then truly regrets it, the tshuva is simple: just sincerely apologize & don’t do it again. In addition, the Chassidic masters like Rav Kook and the Netivot Shalom explain that it’s written elsewhere that the gates of return are always open (Hil. Tshuva 3). Accordingly, even in a case where it’s written that there’s no tshuva, that’s just part of the challenge- for if one does tshuva even after he’s told that he can’t, that’s the greatest proof that his regret is sincere and not just out of fear of punishment! Additionally, note that here, it’s not written that tshuva is impossible or it’s unforgivable, but literally, “successful tshuva is not granted to him”. He doesn’t receive the Heavenly help that ba’alei tshuva usually get, but it’s entirely up to him, and if he truly returns, then it’s accepted. The word “cheit” often mistranslated: “sin”- really means you ‘missed” (e.g. Kings i, 1, 21). If you sincerely regret, and “fill-in” that which is missing, then the mistake is totally erased. Hashem is our loving Father, and even His punishments are totally out of love- to deter us or others from doing wrong.