Novardok
R’ Galinsky Zatzal described Novardok during Elul. As soon as it was Rosh Chodesh Elul, the whole Yeshiva was in a different world, that is impossible to explain unless you were there. Each Bachur started his own Minhag for Elul that was appropriate for himself, as an Eitza to be Zoche B'din. Almost everyone spoke less for those 40 days, from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippur. The boys were desperate to be Zoche B'din!
Every night, the Bachurim wrote down the Pe’ulos (exercises) they did that day. And every two days, they examined the To’eles (gain) of those Pe’ulos (exercises); if they were worth it or detrimental, Chas V'shalom. Every Talmid saw before himself the famous Rambam in Hilchos Teshuva, that Hashem should be: מֵ עִּ יד (testify) on him that he will never ever do this sin again. I heard the same thing from R' Pinchos Menachem Malach Zatzal. They were very concerned about this, and they put lots of Kochos into this Rambam!
And after Elul, they all felt like new people Mamash. All year round they learned Mussar twice a day; before Mincha and before Maariv. But during the Y'mei Elul, they quadrupled their Mussar Sedarim. Even before Elul, they were all concerned that Elul should be good, and they increased their Torah learning and Ma'asim Tovim.
Even during the summer months, if there was Chalila a: רִּ פְ יוֹן decline, a Bachur would get up and bang on the Bima. Everyone would turn to him, and he would suddenly declare: “Three months to Elul!”, or “5 months to Elul!”, and everyone would become more serious and learn shtark, etc. They were serious, yet very happy. A different world! If we would be surrounded by such people for a while, with time we’d be just like them. War time is just like Elul, and it would be K'dai to daven that we take advantage and do Teshuva.
R' Ahron Kotler Zatzal says that during wartime, it’s time to daven for a Teshuva Shleima. R’ Galinsky Zatzal told a Novardoker story about a simple Jew whose name was: צֶ מַ ח Tzemach. Tzemach didn’t feel well on Tisha B’av, and he wanted to eat. His wife told him that such a serious fast (which is similar to Yom Kippur) you need to ask a Rav what to do.
He passed by the Rav’s house, and he came back saying that the Rav said it’s okay to eat. The Rav was davening Mincha loudly, and Tzemach overheard the Rav saying “Ess Tzemach” (“ess” in Yiddish means eat). Novardok was always laughing at how people fool themselves in Avodas Hashem. For good reason they did everything with a Chabura (group), since others don’t have your Negi'a, and you stand a chance to stick to the truth.
Although these ideas may be beyond many people, it’s worth hearing them (but not too much) since you’d be surprised how it affects you even subtly.
Again and Again, Speak Only Positive!
Since lately there is such a wave for Teshuva, somebody said (in a joke) that a non-frum Knesset member wants to wear a yarmulke. Right after I heard this, I was told that this Knesset member actually said something far more on the frum side than he usually does. Remember: בְרִּ ית כְרוּתָה לַשְפָתַיִּם מו"ק יח א, סנהדרין קב א Your words will have an affect!
The Gemara says that יֵהוּא בֶן נִמְשִׁי Yehu ben Nimshi had a: שְ לִּ יחוּ ת mission from a Navi to kill out all the Nevi'ei HaBaal. In order to trap them, he told them that he is also an idol-worshiper. They trusted him, and with this trick he was able to kill them. The Gemara says that nevertheless, because he spoke like this, in the end he actually became an idol-worshiper!
מִּדָה טוֹבָה מְרוּבָה How much more is this true in a positive way! How important it is to keep reporting good news and happy tidings. If anyways you are inaccurate and tend to exaggerate, you may as well say super positive things. When you report details of the situation in Eretz Yisroel, try to stick to positive news; especially in Ruchaniyus! Positive words can cause positive occurrences. (Let other people do the “dirty work”, and report depressive things.)
