The soul is exiled in the body as Israel was exiled in Egypt. Mitzrayim (Egypt) is related to metzarim (restraints). Mitzrayim restrains us from being who we could be. We must become more determined and not give up or get depressed. We should do cheshbon hanefesh (take stock of our spiritual state) ten or fiteen minutes a day. There is no contradiction between joy and weeping in prayer. Nega (affliction) and oneg (delight) have the same hebrew letters because they are two sides of the same reality. The opposite of love is not hate but apathy. Sorrow over our sins shows our longing for closeness to G-d. The joy of a wedding is over the reunion of souls. The joy of teshuvah (repentance) is over the reunion with our Father.
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