[heard from Rav Osher Weiss]…We know that Elul is supposed to be days of introspection and fear. The shofar is supposed to spark off feelings of re-alligning ourselves with the path of HaShem, and the Rambam tells us
that Rosh HaShanah has no hallel because it is a day of fear (hilc hoschanuka perek 3). But we should also remember that these days are supposed to be full of ahavas HaShem, not only yiras HaShem.
This is seen from Chazal revealing to us that the word ‘Elul’ alludes to ‘ani ledodi vedodi li’ – showing our love for HaShem and His love for us. These are times of ahavas haShem and yiras HaShem rolled into one.
