1226 —תשובה אחרי יום הכיפורים צריכה להיעשות בשמחה

B"H, the day after Yom Kippur, 5712.

Brooklyn, NY.

The Previous Rebbe recounted: Once, on the day after Yom Kippur, I entered my honored father the Rebbe and asked him: "And what now?" He answered me: "Now especially one must do teshuvah (as if only now is there a need to do teshuvah)."

From Yom Kippur until Sukkos are days of joy—and certainly the days of the festival itself. This is further proof that all service of Hashem must be done with joy—including even the service of teshuvah in general, even though it might seem to bring bitterness and so on.

On the contrary: reflecting on the reality of teshuvah itself—that nothing stands in its way—and adding faith and trust so that one's heart is confident in Hashem, for He desires kindness and is gracious and compassionate and abundantly forgiving; immediately upon requesting forgiveness from Him there is no doubt at all—this brings great joy.

If on Rosh Hashanah and during the Ten Days of Teshuvah our Sages say one should not only tremble but also "rejoice with trembling," then during these days of joy between the Ten Days of Teshuvah and Sukkos, as well as during our time of rejoicing on Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah—even though these differ in their levels and modes of joy—the common factor is that they must be observed with utmost happiness.

May Hashem grant us to fulfill the promise "Yisrael will rejoice in their Maker," which will also bring about "the L‑rd will rejoice in His works," speedily in our days.

Summary

Teshuvah is not only for times of awe but must be performed with deep joy. The Rebbe teaches that reflecting on G‑d’s boundless forgiveness transforms even repentance into a source of happiness—especially during the joyous days following Yom Kippur.