“Because you did not serve the L-rd your G-d with joy and with gladness of heart” (Devarim 28:47)

“One of the most widespread misconceptions is that occupying oneself with mussar causes sadness as one who constantly looks at his inner flaws must be far from happiness. Being near the mashgiach [Rav Yerucham Levovitz] it was impossible to make that mistake. Mussar and joy were bound together in his life.

“There were some masters of mussar who feared that excessive joy and dancing on Simchas Torah might lead to rowdiness. Not so my rabbi and master. We will never forget Simchas Torah with him.

“When he finished speaking he came down from before the Aron Kodesh and started dancing until all eyes were flowing with tears overwhelmed with holy emotion. He sang and danced with his hands thrown up to the Heavens and his students crowded below danced with him. And how awesome was the sight of hundreds of his students some of them great men dancing and singing in tears prompting the Rav to say: ‘I don’t know which the Ribono shel Olam prefers our Yom Kippur or our Simchas Torah.’ ” (Adam B’Yakar p. 27 where Rav Shlomo Wolbe describes his rav the mashgiach of Mir Rav Yerucham Levovitz) 

Some mitzvos are stamped with simchah. It’s stamp is so clear bright and shining that should anyone not feel the swelling joy of Shabbos and Yom Tov not perceive the sparks of light that come from doing chesed not feel how emunah and bitachon prayer or modesty instill eternal happiness in him he must have opened a counterfeit package.

But Elul is different. Wherever I go the shadow of Elul follows me demands of me: Nu? When will you repent? When will you shape up? How exactly do you intend to approach Rosh HaShanah? I feel small in that great shadow I’m frightened and want to hide. I’ve done so much wrong made so many mistakes; how indeed will I do teshuvah?

It’s hard to be happy in Elul — isn’t it?

No.

 “The way to achieve gladness of heart is to think of all the favors Hashem has bestowed on you and remind yourself: ‘The Cause of All Causes Who created the universe and brought everything into being did it all for man and He watches over me individually. His greatness is endless and infinite yet He watches over an insignificant mosquito like me.” (Reishis Chochmah ch. 6) 

Sometimes it’s good to look down from the tenth floor. Those tiny people have no individuality; you cannot see the brand of their clothing you cannot tell if they’re angry or smiling. From the tenth floor we understand how small we truly are. The universe is vast continents and oceans dwarfed by endless galaxies. What is one person in all of that? He is negligible … mere dust in the wind.

But nevertheless Hashem Who rules the vast universe and has countless angels and untold creations approached tiny man and told him: I want you. You will serveMe.Out of all My creations that sing to Me I want your song. I rule the entire universe but I want My Kingship to be accepted by you. I own every corner of the earth but I want your little heart. Will you let Me in?

This is where the joy of a mitzvah lies. It is the joy of doing the will of the Creator. We were chosen over all creatures to serve Him. We were made His crown princes.

And lives that are filled with G-d are blissful.

In Elul the King loves me more than ever is closer than ever. Every day He calls me to come to Him. In Elul He is willing to hear my regretful apology and His hand is outstretched to receive me. In Elul He treats me with loving-kindness. In Elul all He asks is that I make an opening the size of the eye of a needle and He will stretch that opening as wide as a great hall.

All I need to do is try to improve to edge a little closer try just a little bit harder and I’ll be forgiven and atoned.

In Elul the Heavens are near enveloping me with mercy.

Could I really be unhappy in Elul?