The month of Elul carries with it the terror of the approaching Day of Judgment. The blasts of the shofar send a tremor through our hearts. The atmosphere becomes more heavy-headed.
Jews reflect on the past year and try to be more pious, more serious.
Chassidism also shed a unique light on the month of Elul. Chassidism taught us that self-examination and repentance can also be done with a smile and joy, with vigor and freshness, with dancing and joy of the soul – and there is no contradiction between them.
To see the bright side
Next week will be the 10th of Elul, the birthday of two great luminaries – the Baal Shem Tov (in 1588) and Rabbi Shneur-Zalman of Ladi, author of the Tanya and the Shulchan Aruch and founder of Chabad Hasidism (in 1588).
The great Hasidic scholars said that the Lord in Elul breathes life into the service of God during the month of Elul.
Chassidism holds that if every mitzvah should be performed with joy, according to the scripture, "Serve the Lord with joy" - then how much more so should a great and important mitzvah like repentance, which corrects all defects and shortcomings, be performed with great joy.
One should not make the mistake of thinking that Hasidism represents a kind of light-hearted approach to life.
As if she were saying: Why take it to heart? A dance here, a toast there, a witty remark as needed - and everything falls into place peacefully. This is, of course, only a superficial impression.
Anyone who has been introduced to the teachings of Hasidism knows that even the most "playful" Hasidic saying carries deep and meaningful content.
Hasidism chooses to turn its gaze toward the bright side. Not that it is unaware of the shortcomings and negative aspects, but rather that it seeks to correct the evil by increasing the good. Hasidism holds the view that as the power of goodness and holiness increases, the power of evil and negativity will decrease. He who places the emphasis on eliminating evil will eventually find himself preoccupied with negativity for most of his life.
To escape sadness and despair
This is the Hasidic approach also towards Jews who have something to correct.
Some choose to describe to their ears how wrong they are and how immersed in vanity. Hasidism believes that it is better to explain how good God is and what happiness lies in walking the path of the Torah. It advocates a path of closeness, which warms and inspires love for God and His Torah.
The same is true in our internal personal struggles: if we focus on our shortcomings, on the sometimes bleak summary of our achievements in the past year, we may sink into sadness and gloom and even fall into the abyss of despair.
Indeed, one must know the shortcomings and correct the deficiencies, but one's eyes must be looking forward.
During the days of Elul, one should contemplate the miraculous virtue of these days, when the 'King in the field' - God, the Blessed One, approaches each and every one of us and accepts our response with love and a gentle face. It is better to rejoice in the ability given to us to turn over a new leaf and start from scratch.
Joy sweetens laws, breaks through all barriers, and thanks to it we will surely be rewarded with a good writing and signature for a good and sweet year, the year of true and complete redemption.
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