The last two pesukim in parshas Netzavim state as follows: "I have placed before you life and death, blessing and curse, and you shall choose life so that you and your children will live. To love Hashem your G-d, to listen to His voice and to cleave to Him, for He is your life" (Devarim 30, 19-20). The Ibn Ezra has a very novel interpretation of these pesukim. He explains, "To love Hashem..." refers not to the life we are to choose, rather, it refers to the quality of life we will merit if we make the proper choice. "Choose life so that you and your children will live to love Hashem." The very purpose of life is to love Hashem. The explanation is astounding, but what does it mean?
We say in birchos krias shema, that all of Hashem's creations do His will "with fear and trepidation." However, serving Hashem with "love and favor" is reserved solely for humans. To truly appreciate this idea we must delve a little deeper.
When we look around at the creations that make up all of nature, we generally relate to them collectively as one giant machine that carries out its job devoid of any life. However, the Torah tells us that this is not the case. Rashi in the beginning of Bereishis (1, 6) tells us that although the heavens were created on the first day, they were soft and moist. Only on the second day did they become firm from Hashem's shouting, "Let there be the heavens," similar to one who stands dumbstruck because another person threatened him. All the creations carry out their jobs like clockwork because of their tremendous fear of Hashem.
When we look around at the creations that make up all of nature, we generally relate to them collectively as one giant machine that carries out its job devoid of any life. However, the Torah tells us that this is not the case. Rashi in the beginning of Bereishis (1, 6) tells us that although the heavens were created on the first day, they were soft and moist. Only on the second day did they become firm from Hashem's shouting, "Let there be the heavens," similar to one who stands dumbstruck because another person threatened him. All the creations carry out their jobs like clockwork because of their tremendous fear of Hashem.
Fear is what keeps all creations in line. If a human would realize how lowly he is compared to Hashem, he would be absolutely dumbstruck. What gives him the ability to bridge the huge chasm that separates him from his Creator, and serve Him with love? The Torah tells us that when man was created, Hashem blew into him "nishmas chayim" - a soul of life. The Ramban explains that this neshama was not created from the base elements. Rather, it originated, so to speak, from Hashem Himself! In this respect a human differs from an animal, for he contains a neshama which emanated directly from the Creator.
With this we can understand the Ibn Ezra. The neshama - our source of life - yearns and strives to reattach itself to its root. It wants to reconnect with its awesome source of existence - it strives to love Hashem. The goal and purpose of life is to love Hashem and cleave to Him. It is a person's neshama - his life source - that gives him the ability to raise his head, despite the ominous fear of Hashem, and stand before Him and serve Him with love.
Elul is the month that was given to us with the specific intention of becoming closer to Hashem - "I am to my Beloved, and my Beloved is to me." In truth, achieving love of Hashem is not just the call of Elul; it is the very purpose of life. How fortunate we are that we have the ability to stand up tall in front of the Omnipotent and serve Him with love!
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