In military training, soldiers typically do not use real bullets and other live ammunition, as it would be a waste. They can learn to handle their weapons without the need for actual gunpowder. However, in battle, they must use live ammunition. If they were to fail to do so, the enemy would capture them and scoff at their incompetence. The Kedushas Levi (Likutim Avos, למדת אם ה"ד) utilizes this analogy to illustrate what happens when a person serves Hashem devoid of passion and joy. "The extent of his enthusiasm determines how far he can distance himself from materialism and the level of awareness of Hashem he can achieve. However, performing mitzvos mechanically, without passion, is akin to a soldier who neglects to load his weapons with live bullets during battle."
About Yom Kippur it states (Vayikra 23:27) ...הוא הכפורים יום השביעי לחודש בעשר אך. The word אך is also mentioned in reference to Succos, as it states (ibid. 23:39) 'ה חג את תחוגו ...השביעי לחודש יום עשר בחמשה אך. The Meshech Chachmah ((אך ה"ד אמור) explains that אך can be translated as "even so." If one didn't do teshuvah, perhaps he shouldn’t fast on Yom Kippur? The Torah tells us that, even so, he must fast. Succos, we celebrate the atonement. But if he didn't do teshuvah and didn’t achieve atonement, perhaps he shouldn’t keep Succos? So the Torah writes ,אך that even so, he should keep Succos.
(Bamidbar 29:13-32) יהיו תמימים עשר ארבע שנה בני כבשים, "Sheep, within the first year, fourteen perfect ones they shall be." This was brought all seven days of Succos. 7 x 14 = 98.
Once, during Succos, someone informed Reb Meir of Premishlan zt'l that one of his close relatives was sick and his life was in danger. Reb Meir replied, "Hakadosh Baruch Hu commanded us to blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, and Meir'l did so. [He was accustomed to speaking in third-person.] Hakaodsh Baruch Hu commanded us to fast on Yom Kippur, and Meir'l did so. Hakadosh Baruch Hu required us to be happy on Succos, and I want to do so. But Chazal say, בשמחה שמחה מערבין אין, one mustn't mix two joys. [On yom tov, we are happy because it is yom tov, בחגך ושמחת, and we shouldn't be happy for other reasons.] If something bad happens, I will be required to accept the sad news with joy, as Chazal say, that one must bless Hashem with joy for bad tidings, and then I will have another joy aside from the joy of yom tov. We mustn't mix two joys. Therefore, I request Hashem that my relative remain alive, so I will be able to focus my joy on the yom tov, alone."
We can use this story as a counsel to be saved from all tzaros. Be happy with the yom tov, and you won't be given other (negative) experiences, which will necessitate another element of joy. Hashem will help you be happy with the yom tov, alone.
Reb Chaim Vital (Hakdamah l'Shaar HaMitzvos) zt'l writes, "Do not view mitzvos as a burden, as something you wish to quickly 'get over with.' Instead, envision earning many thousands of gold coins with every mitzvah you perform. This perspective will fill you with boundless joy performing the mitzvos, as much joy as someone receiving millions of gold coins for performing this mitzvah."
Reb Mordechai of Chernobyl zy'a said that Succos is called שמחתינו זמן, and one translation of the word זמן is to prepare. On Succos, we prepare and store up on simchah for the entire year (see Magen Avraham, Trisk, Shabbos Chol HaMoed Succos).
Rebbe Shmuel of Lubavitch (The Maharash – Maamarim, 5655) teaches, "The essence of joy [throughout the year] comes from the joy of Succos."
It states, שמח אך והיית ...בחגיך ושמחת. The Abarbanel writes, "This pasuk is a guarantee: If you are happy on Succos, you will be joyous the entire year." The Ibn Ezra on the pasuk בחגיך ושמחת (Devarim 16: 14-16) also writes that if we are happy on Succos, we are blessed to be happy forever.
The Pele Yoetz zt'l writes, "We are commanded to be happy, and this becomes a good omen (siman) for the entire year. The Arizal's students write that someone who is joyous and has a happy heart, without any distress, on this holy holiday, it is certain that he will have a good and happy year."
Rashi (Bamidbar 29:18) writes that the ninety-eight sheep sacrificed on Succos annul the ninety-eight curses written in parashas Ki Savo. The ninety-eight klalos of parashas Ki Savo are because (Devarim 28:47) עבדת לא אשר תחת בשמחה אלקיך 'ה את, "you didn't serve Hashem with joy." The Arizal says that this is to be understood literally. The curses aren't for not serving Hashem but for serving Hashem without joy. The Avnei Nezer says that on Succos, when we serve Hashem with joy, it is the perfect time to cancel the ninety-eight curses that came from the lack of joy. Instead of klalos, we will enjoy brachos.
The Beis Aharon (p.156.) writes, "During the yomim nora'im [Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the treasuries of] bounty open up for us through our fear, and on Succos they open with our joy."
