B"H

Tuesday, Elul 28, 5784 / October 1, 2024

From Rosh Hashana to Yom Kippur, we recite four extra passages during the Amidah prayers, asking G-d to inscribe us in the Book of Life.  In the first passage we say, "Remember us for life... inscribe us in the Book of Life"; The second passage is, "Who is like You merciful Father, who in compassion remembers His creatures for life."; The third passage is, "Inscribe all the children of Your covenant for a good life." In the fourth we pray to be inscribed, "In the Book of Life, blessing, peace and prosperity, deliverance, consolation and favorable decrees..." First, we ask for LIFE, then for good life, for prosperity etc. 

In the world we live in today, many are more occupied with "wealth" than with "health."  In the hustle bustle of day-to-day life our priorities may become distorted, and we sometimes forget to appreciate and be thankful for the miracle called LIFEwhich G-d grants us every second of the every day.

In the Modim prayer, recited three times daily, we thank G-d, "For our lives which are committed in your hand, and for our souls which are entrusted to You, for your miracles which are with us daily." On Rosh Hashana we are reminded of our priorities - to be inscribed in the Book of Life for life and good health.

A Chassid once came to his rebbe complaining that he had had a bad year financially.  The rebbe asked him, "How is your health and the health of your family?"  He replied that health was, thank G-d, good.  The Rebbe reminded him the words of the Talmud, “He Who gives life will surely give sustenance!"

The Rebbe explained: A businessman was traveling home from the fair and had with him a large sum of money.  The way home was long and for Shabbat he stopped at an inn run by a Jewish innkeeper. As it is not permitted to carry money on Shabbat, the businessman gave his wallet to the innkeeper for safekeeping until after Shabbat.  The wallet contained 5,000 rubles plus 5 kopikes (pennies).

All Shabbat the businessman was worried whether the innkeeper was trustworthy and will he ever see his money again.  Immediately after Shabbat he asked for his wallet which the innkeeper returned. The merchant quickly went back to his room and counted the money and found all 5,000 rubles intact." 

Said the Rebbe, "Do you think that after the innkeeper returned the full 5000 rubles, would he still be worried whether the five pennies-kopikes were also returned? Only a fool would suspect the innkeeper in not giving back the five kopikes when he was trustworthy with the large sum of 5000 rubles!"

"The same is with you," concluded the rebbe.  "G-d gave you and your family life and health which is worth far more than anything else in the world. Don't you think that you can trust Him to also give you your sustenance? If you have true faith that G-d grants you proper health, you will automatically have faith that He will bless you in your business dealings and will provide you with your livelihood too. This is what the Talmud means, He Who gives life will surely give sustenance!

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & SHANA TOVA

UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW