They explain the matter based on the words of the wisest of all men (Mishlei 27, 19): "כמים הפנים לפנים כן לב האדם לאדם"—as water reflects a face back to a face, so a man’s heart is reflected back to him by another. This teaches us that when a person loves his fellow man, it elicits reciprocal feelings in his fellow; it is like seeing one’s reflection in water. Now, we have a passuk that states explicitly (Malachi 1, 2): "אהבתי אתכם אמר ה'"—“I loved you,” says Hashem. Thus, it stands to reason that this would elicit in us a reciprocal love for hashem.
However, all the foolish, nonsensical pursuits of Olam HaZeh act as a barrier preventing this natural, reciprocal love in a Jew’s heart from expressing itself and becoming a reality. Therefore, the Torah commands us "ואהבת את ה' אלקיך"—to remove all obstacles that prevent and inhibit us from expressing the tremendous love of Hashem that resides in every Jew’s heart. Then, this tremendous love of Hashem will pour forth naturally and spontaneously.
Based on this understanding, Rabbi Akiva Eiger, ztz”l, explains the juxtaposition of the concluding berachah before Krias Shema—"הבוחר בעמו ישראל באהבה"—Who chooses His people Yisrael with love—and the first passage of Krias Shema—"ואהבת את ה' אלקיך"—you shall love Hashem, your G-d. Since HKB”H chooses Yisrael with “ahavah,” we are able to love Him naturally and easily. Therefore, it was justified and fitting to command us to “love Hashem.” In fact, this teaches us an important principle. When HKB”H reveals His great love for us, it is much easier for us to reciprocate our love for Him, like a reflection in water.
We have now gained a better understanding of the comments of the Bach. During Elul, HKB”H draws nearer to Yisrael with tremendous love. This prompts Yisrael to respond to the prosecutors and those taunting them: “My Beloved has gone down to His garden, to the spice beds, to wander in the gardens.” Hence, like a reflection in water, Yisrael reciprocate by performing sincere teshuvah. They are so inspired that even during the Aseres Yimei Teshuvah, when HKB”H has already returned from the field, so to speak, to sit on His throne of judgment, they continue to perform teshuvah of “ahavah.” This all transpires as a result of the love that HKB”H shows Yisrael during the month of Elul.
At this point, we can interpret the following passuk very nicely: "נקי יהיה לביתו שנה אחת"—he shall be free for his house for one year. This means that with the teshuvah that one performs in the month of Elul, one can make amends for the entire past year; one will be free and clean of all sin, even inadvertent sins. How is this accomplished: "ושמח את אשתו אשר לקח"—by making one’s inner self happy, inspiring it to return to Hashem by means of teshuvah based on “ahavah”—reflecting back to HKB”H the incredible love and affection He shows Yisrael in the month of Elul, like a reflection in water.
In summary: During the month of Elul, HKB”H draws near to Yisrael like a “king in the field.” This enables every single Jew without exception to get closer to HKB”H. Therefore, it behooves us to take advantage of and make the most of this wonderful opportunity afforded us by HKB”H. During the month of Elul, every Jew should get as close to HKB”H as he is able to via sincere teshuvah; he should pray better; he should schedule regular, fixed times for studying Torah. In this merit, we will be rewarded with a “kesivah va’chasimah tovah”—we will be inscribed and sealed for a wonderful, blessed year to come—and be privileged to witness the arrival of the true, righteous redeemer, swiftly in our times! Amen.
