Normally we first experience Elul, which is the ‘Yemei rachamim,’ days when we ask for Divine mercy.
After that we go through Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, the ‘yemei haDin,’ when we stand before G-d in judgment.
Hopefully, if we merited mercy, and we passed judgment through repentance and good deeds, we will come to the days of Sukkos and the ‘yemei haSimcha,’ days of happiness.
The Sfas Emes, though says that there can be another order as well. Even if we didn’t merit mercy, and we didn’t rise to the challenge of passing judgment, we can still reverse the ruling.
When we celebrate Sukkos with joy and with acceptance of whatever Hashem has in store for us, we bring about an ‘ohr hachozer,’ a light of reversal.
This light has the power to reverse the negative judgment and make it positive, and earn us Divine mercy for our simple trust in Hashem.
Therefore, these days we should be ‘only happy,’ rejoicing in Hashem’s protection and love, and through that we will merit a good year full of blessings and prosperity.
