A little known fact – Rosh Hashanah does not commemorate the creation of the world, rather, the creation of the
Having G-d’s Torah as our GPS can be challenging
first human being. A world without a person who connects with G-d has no purpose and is not worth celebrating. We, are worth celebrating. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 37a) teaches that each individual is obligated to say, “For me, the world was created.” The spiritual power we each possess is so awesome that it would be worthwhile for G-d to create the entire world just for one person to live an elevated life on it.
Do you believe that? If not, then you underestimate how precious your personal relationship with G-d is to Him. Imagine trying to explain to a toddler with whom you are close how much you enjoy when they smile at you. The child may look at you quizzically, trying to understand why showing their budding teeth carries so much weight. What stirs your heart is not the physical smile; what uplifts you is the toddler’s joy and love for you, symbolized by their smile. So too, never discount any act of Divine service, or whispered prayer, especially those filled with love and longing for G-d; know, that they are cherished by Him.
Many of us do not fully realize the amazing spiritual potential within our souls, waiting to ignite. We go through life only vaguely aware of the incredible closeness within our reach to our Father in Heaven. Our relationship with G-d is not a fringe benefit of life; it is life.
Before we were born, our souls were in blissful and effortless union with G-d. One purpose of life on earth is to reunite with Him, through our own efforts, and thereby earn even greater bliss when we return to Heaven.
After we are born the umbilical cord attaching us to our source of physical nourishment is cut and we must then seek sustenance on our own. Similarly, upon entering this world we must also seek spiritual sustenance on our own. In His Torah, G-d outlines how to find invigorating spiritual nourishment and stay away from that which weakens our connection to Him. Following the Torah enables us to achieve the greatest accomplishment possible in this world; union with G-d on earth.
In an article I wrote on this website, about the worldwide oil spills, I discussed one aspect of coming close to G-d – removing impurity which forms a barrier between us. Another component is immersion in prayer and Torah. Through talking to G-d and living His will we rediscover, on a smaller scale, what closeness with G-d was like.
When we pray, learn and live the Torah, we ignite the spiritual power within and we awaken to the startling realization that G-d is right here with us, all the time. To keep this awareness burning in our souls, we need to regularly stoke the embers. Aim every day, to say with fervor at least one prayer or psalm, and to learn at least one inspirational Torah thought.
On Rosh Hashanah, when we hear the shofar blast we are reminded that G-d is our King and Creator; we ask ourselves, “Am I living my life as G-d intended when He created me?
This powerful question can be used to shine Divine light on any area of our lives. Some examples: “Am I treating G-d's other children, including my spouse and kids, the way He wants them treated? Am I doing business and using my money, the way G-d intended when He blessed me with financial resources? Am I using my time and abilities to come closer to Him?”
To get a taste of the power of living in sync with G-d, the next time you are doing something in line with His will, i.e. on Shabbat or during a meal, try this; speak to G-d and say to Him with feeling, “I am living Your holy day, the Shabbat, as You, my Father, intended.” Or, “I am eating kosher, as You, my Father, intended.” With time, or perhaps right away, you will be filled with incredible joy and a feeling of oneness with G-d. The spiritual acts that you do mindfully become a conduit for feeling His loving embrace.
This question can lead us even deeper into G-d’s outstretched arms. For example, yes, we keep Shabbat, yet, is Shabbat observed in the way G-d had in mind when He gave us this gift? For us to spend time with Him in song and celebration, study and prayer; to sing and celebrate with rapture, to study with delight, and to pray with longing. Knowing there is even more to discover, even greater peaks to reach, can invigorate and excite us.
Rosh Hashanah is when we plead to G-d and ask, “Father, am I doing it right? Am I living as You intended? How can I come closer to You? Please guide me in how to live my life.” When the will of the Creator and the created are aligned, the raison d’être of the world is fulfilled.
Every time we make His will our will we become one with G-d and are enveloped in a Divine embrace. With someone you deeply love, a hug once in a while does not suffice; when you hug, you never want to let go. This is why G-d, through His Torah, gives us directions for every area of our lives; in His infinite love for us, G-d has filled life with an abundance of opportunities for union with Him. He wants our embrace, and for us to never let go.
Having G-d’s Torah as our GPS can be challenging; that is the whole point. Nothing of great or lasting value is achieved without effort. What could be greater than closeness with G-d in this world? What could be more lasting than eternal bliss in the next? While the road ahead might be rocky, with the Torah we know where we are going and how to get there; we know that G-d is by our side, encouraging and strengthening us along the way.
For the New Year we can pick one area of our lives to focus on and to live it as God intended. This process takes time; life is a journey. Yet, the benefits accrue immediately; the closer we come to living as our Creator intended, the closer we feel to Him and the closer we are to fulfilling our potential.
Over time, like a musical instrument, we drift off from our intended key. Every Rosh Hashanah, by considering who created us and why, we can tune back to the key of our Creator. Then in the coming year, we will play the wondrous melody our Composer has in mind just for us.