59. The Avodas Yisrael zt'l (Netzavim) writes in the name of the Magid of Mezritch zt'l, "Tzaddikim, although they are very afraid, they trust in Hashem's salvation and kindness, and are determined to return to Hashem. Although their thoughts remind them of their aveiros, which these thoughts are an indication of the kitrug, which is happening in heaven, they steer their thoughts away from their aveiros to think about teshuvah, to leave the aveiros from now on. They accept the yoke of heaven and trust in Hashem's immense kindness."
The Sma'k writes that we wear white clothing, which resembles tachrichim, so that the joy of Rosh Hashanah should be in the spirit appropriate for the awesome day of Rosh Hashanah.
60. According to the Raavad, one doesn’t recite שהחיינו on the shofar because of the fear of the judgment. Shulchan Aruch (584:2) states that it is customary for the person who blows the shofar to receive an aliyah. The Levush explains, לב משמחי ישרים 'ה פקודי, Torah makes people happy, and thereby, he will be able to blow the shofar with joy.
The Maharil writes that the first day of Rosh Hashanah is קשיא דינא, severe dinim. The second day is רפיא דינא, a softer judgment. Shaul u’Meishiv (ה"קכ ג"ח רביעא מהדורה) writes, "This idea that the first day is קשיא דינא is difficult to understand because there is proof that it isn’t a harsh day at all. The halachah is that we say shehechiyanu on this day. We wouldn’t say shehechiyanu if it weren’t a day of joy. Therefore, it isn’t קשיא דינא. It’s a day when Hashem forgives our sins. It is a holy day. On this day, the imahos were remembered [to bear children], and all goodness and holy bounty comes from this day."
Reb Bunim of Peshischa zt’l writes in a letter, "During these days, joy is concealed in fear. May Hashem grant us that it should be both, together."
Rabbeinu Yonah (Brachos 21.) writes, "Although, for humans, joy and fear are opposites, by Hakadosh Baruch Hu, they aren't. In fact, fear increases joy."
The blast of the shofar expresses fear and joy, the two emotions of the day. The tekiyah is a sound of joy, while shevarim and teruah are the sounds of a broken heart.
Yitzchak Avinu represents fear of Heaven, which is why he is often referred to as Pachad Yitzchok, the fear of Yitzchak. Yet Yitzchak also means laughter and happiness. The Sfas Emes zt'l writes, "It is possible he was called Yitzchak because his face shone with happiness, for there is no one happier than the person who truly fears Hashem and doesn’t have any other fear."
The Joy of Being in the King's Presence
The Pnei Menachem zt'l related a story that will explain the joy of Rosh Hashanah. An admirer of the president of the United States heard that the president was visiting his neighborhood. He immediately jumped into his car, passed several red lights, and committed other driving violations in his haste to get to the president. Many roadblocks and bodyguards were stationed to prevent people like him from reaching the president, but he managed to pass through them all, and he caught a few words with the president. In a matter of minutes, the police arrested him, and he was sent to jail. He said it was all worth it for the few moments he spoke to the president. This helps us understand the joy of Rosh Hashanah. Everything is worthwhile to be in Hashem's presence.
As the Berditchever Rav zt'l said, "We say on Rosh Hashanah in the Unesaneh Tokef, ימות ומי יחיה מי, 'Who will live, and who will die...' All this is decided on Rosh Hashanah, but I don't care as long as You are thinking about us."
Rebbe Yechezkel of Radomsk zt'l (grandson of the Tiferes Shlomo zt'l) said, "Throughout the year, there is a curtain that separates Bnei Yisrael from their Father in heaven, but on Rosh Hashanah, there is no separation." Chazal tell us that on Rosh Hashanah, every Yid passes before Hashem מרון כבני, like sheep that pass through a gate, one by one. The Sfas Emes (5639) writes, "Although they know that Hashem is judging them, nevertheless, every Yid understands that it is a great merit to be remembered by Hashem. They consider it worthwhile to be judged by Him just so that Hashem will think about them. And in the merit that they feel this privilege, Hashem thinks well of them. Hashem remembers all the good they do, and He goes off His throne of justice and sits on His throne of compassion. They deserve this because they understand that the greatest gift they can receive from Hashem is that Hashem thinks about them."
