Rabbi Yisrael Reisman
We say in Avinu Malkeinu: “HKB”H, write us in the book of Zechuyos.” What are Zechuyos? Merits. What does it mean to write us in the book of Zechuyos? Either we have them or we don’t. If we have them, they’re already written down, and if we don’t, what is there to write?
Zechuyaos doesn’t mean Mitzvos, Zechuyos are the opportunity to do Mitzvos. HKB”H is Megalgeil Zechus Al Y’dai Zakai. That means that if we merit it, if we deserve it, if we are in the book of Zechuyos, HKB”H will throw Mitzvos in our way. You walk down the street and the fellow in front of you drops his glove, you pick it up and return it. Easy Mitzvah that feels good and it doesn’t cost anything. Bang, you have an Asei and a Lo Sasei. Lo Suchal L’hisaleim and the Mitzvah of Hashavas Aveida. Bang, HKB”H just threw two Mitzvos your way. Easy to do.
Kosveinu b’sefer hazchyos, write down that we should be Zoche that Mitzvos should fall into our lap. We should be Zoche that the inspiration to do Mitzvos should come our way. We ask that HKB”H put opportunities in our way. Zechuyos means opportunities. It means write us down in the book of opportunities. We ask that Hashem increase our opportunities for more Mitzvos besides those that we already have. New Mitzvos, new opportunities. Ah! What a Tefilla! If we daven that the opportunities for inspiration should come our way, then when they do come our way, we will grab them, we will have them, we will use them.
With that extraordinary hergish, that feeling of opportunity, we wish everybody a Gemar Chasima Tovah.
Rav Pam used to say that if it was up to him these days wouldn’t be called Yomim Noraim days of awe, they would be called Yomim Niflaim, incredible days. Days of opportunity, days when we have an opportunity to undertake growth and meaning for the coming year, closeness and devaikus to the Borei Olam. Wishing one and all a Gemar Chasimah Tovah. A meaningful fast. A year of Menuchas Hanefesh, Simchas Hachaim in Avodas Hashem. A Gut Gebenched Yar to one and all!
