02 Jan “NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS”

The Gemora teaches
us, “Im ein daas, havdala
minayin – Without
knowledge, how does
one differentiate?” This
is the reason why on
Motzoi Shabbos we say
the havdala the insertion
of Atah chonantonu within the blessing of
Atah chonein, the brocha where we beseech
Hashem for knowledge. So, we see that
only with proper understanding can one
see differences in the world. Among the
distinctions mentioned in Atah chonantonu, as
well as one of the separations that we discuss
in the short and beautiful havdala service after
Shabbos is the statement, “Hamavdil bein
Yisroel l’amim,” that Hashem differentiates
between Klal Yisroel and the gentiles.
One of the ways we can perceive the
differences between the values of a Torah Jew
and the average non-Jew is by contrasting the
Top Ten New Year’s resolutions touted for the
secular calendar and the commitments a Jew
makes before Rosh HaShannah. The three top
resolutions in America are: Number One, lose
weight; Number Two, getting organized; and
Number Three, spend less. Now, let’s ponder
what would be our top three resolutions.
We would have to suggest that the first

commitment would concern strengthening
our Yiras Shomaiyim, our fear of Heaven,
for that is what a Jew’s life is all about. As
Moshe Rabeinu beseeched, “Mah Hashem
Elokecha shoel mei’imoch, ki im l’yirah –
What does Hashem ask from you but that you
should fear Him and be more aware of Him
(cf. Rav Miller’s many tapes that the root of
yirah means to see), or the lifelong objective
of B’chol drachecha da’eihu – In all of your
ways you should acknowledge Him, and Es
Hashem Elokecha tira – That you should
fear Hashem.” Namely, that the thought
of Hashem should influence your decision
making processes.
Our second resolution would undoubtedly
be to spend more time learning Torah for
this too is the very purpose of our existence.
Like it says in Pirkei Avos, “Ki l’kach
notzorta,” it is for the study of Torah that
you were created. Similarly, we are taught
in Sanhedrin, “T’chilas dino shel adom eino
ela b’divrei Torah – When we go for our final
accounting before Hashem we will first be
judged concerning the amount of time that we
spent studying Hashem’s Torah.” The third
resolution would definitely revolve around
improving our relationships with our spouse,
our parents, our children, our friends, and with
humanity in general.

What a difference between
our kabolos, commitments,
compared with losing weight,
getting organized, and spending
less. Now, to be sure, losing
weight is important. Obesity
is a huge American problem
that is responsible for the
sicknesses and deaths of untold
thousands of Americans every
year. And, indeed it is a Torah
directive of v’nishmartem meod
es nafshoseichem, to diligently
safeguard one’s life. But, it is a far
cry from the core and purpose of
our existence. Getting organized
is also important in a Torah Jew’s
life. Rav Miller writes that the first
nights of Pesach, the anniversary of
the birth of the Jewish people, are
celebrated by the sedar. The word
sedar literally means organized, for
the grand Pesach meal has a specific order:
kadeish, ur’chatz, karpas, yachatz, etc. So
too, it is proper for one to lead an organized
life with a daily sedar starting with modeh ani
and concluding with birchas hamapil. But
somehow I think the secular idea of getting
organized has more to do with cleaning out the
closets and throwing away some of the clutter.
The third secular commitment of spending
less and saving more is admirable for if
there is not enough money in the home,
the Talmud teaches us that marital friction
is quick to follow. But, once again, the
emphasis of focusing on money as a
number three priority is an American way
of thinking.
Let’s look at the next three most popular
American resolutions. Here is where we
see that the gap widens considerably.
Number Four of the Top Ten: enjoy life
more. Number Five: stay fit, and Number
Six: learn something new, like a new
language. If we would look at our next
three, I would suggest that Number Four
is to find ways to be more charitable, to
give more tzedaka, and to help more
people. Number Five would be to daven
better, to learn the meaning of our prayers
and to be more sincere and devout in our
discussions with Hashem. And Number
Six would probably revolve around
mourning over the loss of the Temple and
increasing our desire to bring Moshiach.
It’s always important to remember how
different we are, and to thank Hashem
that He allowed us the privilege to be part
of this Holy Nation, ashrecha Yisroel,
fortunate are you Yisroel, mi k’amcha
Yisroel, who is like you O! Israel, goy
echad b’oretz, a nation unique in the land.
Once again, enjoying life is also a Torah
objective. To have simchas hachayim,
happiness with life, is of the utmost

necessity in being a true eved Hashem, as
it says, “Ivdu es Hashem b’simcha – Serve
Hashem with joy.” Furthermore, it is certain
that Hashem wants us to be happy, for this is
the reason He created pistachio nuts, and lamb
chops, pineapples and chocolate, sunlight
and roses, a gentle breeze and a spouse’s
tender voice. But this is tempered by a Jew’s
awareness that all of this is temporal, and the
ultimate focus is on preparing with mitzvahs
and maasim tovim, commandments and good
deeds, for the eternal existence of the Afterlife.
Staying fit is also a component of health and
as mentioned, a Torah command. But we

have our priorities and we will spend forty-
five precious minutes at the Daf Yomi instead

of pumping iron at the gym – although we still
must find some time to exercise as well. We
too put a premium on learning something new,
but it’s not by purchasing the Rosetta Stone
course to learn French or Chinese. Rather, it’s
to make a mussar sedar in Mesilas Yeshorim,
to tackle a masechet, or learn some Mishna
Yomi (on Kol Haloshon, 718-906-6471, for
example).
May it be the will of Hashem that we always
make new resolutions (and there’s nothing
wrong with making them now!) and in that
merit may Hashem bless us with long life,
good health, and everything wonderful.