... And you should choose life in order that you and your children should live. (parshas Nitzovim, Devorim 30:19).
The above words of the Torah “and you should choose life” are known to many, and will be powerfully inspiring when heard before Rosh HaShana during Krias HaTorah on this Shabbos. Interestingly though, the Torah writes םיִּיַחַב ָתְרַחָבוּ which literally means “and you should choose the life”
But what exactly is “the life”?
The verse next verse says:
לְאַַֽהֲבָה אֶת־ה' אֱלֹקיךָ לִשְמֹעַ בְקֹלוֹ וּלְדָבְקָה־בוֹ כִּי הוּא חַיֶיךָ וְאֹרֶךְ יָמֶיךָ לָשֶבֶת עַל־הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶר נִשְבַע ה' לַאֲבֹתֶיךָ...
To love Hashem your G-d, to listen to His voice and to attach yourself to Him, for He is your life and the length of you days, to live on the land that Hashem had sworn to your forefathers... Commenting on this verse, the Ohr HaChaim explains that the Torah in this verse teaches that being attached to Hashem is the life itself. In other words, for a Jew, what is life worth, if not being attached to the Ribbono Shel Olam?
When you feel connected to your Abba in Shamayim with your thoughts and emotions, you’re living “החיים” - the life.
Rhymes for Kids
Dip the apple in the honey
Make a bracha loud and clear,
Leshana Tovah u’mesuka
Have a happy sweet new year!
If for a year of sweetness sweet things we employ
What should be a siman for a year of joy?
Well, here is the answer that’s easy and smart:
Rosh Hashana is a day for you to have a happy ______!
והנה כל אלו הענינים עושין הכל לסימן טוב ולכן פשיטא שיזהר מאד שלא יכעוס בימים האלו מלבד גודל האיסור כדי שיהיה לסימן טוב רק יהיה שמח לבו ובטוח בד' עם התשובה ומעשים טובים [משנה ברורה סימן תקפג ס"ק ה]
“Now all these things [apple in honey, etc] we do for a siman tov for the upcoming year. Therefore, it is obvious that a person should be very careful not to get angry during these days, because [by not getting angry on Rosh Hashana] besides avoiding a great transgression, it will be for a siman tov for him for the upcoming year. On Rosh Hashana, a person should just have a happy heart and trust Hashem, while doing teshuva and performing good deeds.” [Mishna Berura 583:5]
