Machshava:

Elul 

Collections: Rabbi Weinberger: It's Not About Me

Description

From R' Tzvi Meir Zilberberg's ma'amar "Biz'chus Tzeisi MiBeisi Hachutzah" (in the merrit of leaving my home and going outside) in Sichos Hizchaskus, published 5769, p. 333. The uniqueness of each year and each time within that year. Simchah (joy) is not a state, but a midah (trait) that we work on, especially on Succos, to prepare for the entire year. Hashem pours out rivers and seas of simchah - how do we tap into that? Focusing on himself brings the person to the opposite of simchah. Small children, small toys - bigger children (adults!), bigger toys. The Chofetz Chaim's gloves. Leaving MY house, MY stuff - leaving the world of ME and going outside into the Succah. The nature of the neshamah (soul) is to give and to do good for others - this is the simchah of tzaddikim (the righteous). Making ourselves into shirayim (leftovers) so it's not all about us.