882. Rosh Hashanah
Concerning the verse, “The eyes of the Lord your God are on it from the beginning of the year,” sometimes favorably, sometimes unfavorably. How so? When Israel were complete wicked in the beginning of the year, they were allotted few rains, but in the end they repented. It is impossible to add, since the sentence has already been passed, but the Creator brings them down on time on the soil that needs them. Everything is according to the soil.
At times unfavorably, how so? Israel were complete righteous in the beginning of the year and were allotted many rains, but in the end they went astray. It is impossible to lessen, since the sentence has already been passed, but the Creator brings them down not in their time on a soil that does not need them (Rosh Hashanah 17b). And RASHI interpreted: “Not in their time” means before sowing. Where they are not needed means in forests and in deserts.
To understand the above in ethics, we should interpret that Rosh Hashanah [beginning of the year] means the beginning of the creation of man. It is as our sages said that a drop is declared whether it will be wise or a fool, etc. (Nidah 16b). “Rains” means one’s corporeal forces, whether he will have a big or a small brain, a small or a big heart, a small or a big desire, and so on.
If a person walks on the good path, when he grows, it is impossible to add, meaning to make for him a bigger brain and desire, since they were already allotted to him when he was made. However, he uses all of his brain and energy only in a place of Kedusha [holiness] and need. This is enough for him to achieve a degree where he can be rewarded with the revelation of the light of the Creator, to truly adhere to Him, and receive his proper share in the next world.
But if a person has been allotted a big brain and a strong will when he was first created, if he does not walk on the good and straight path, he uses them not as required, which is as though the Creator brings them down not in their time on a soil that does not need them.
Thus, all the good forces he was given when he was made do not help him. He could have been proficient in Mishnah and Gemara, but he will not be awarded the desired wholeness called Dvekut [adhesion] with Him.
It follows that one must not complain if he is not as gifted as the rest of his friends, for this is not the deciding factor, since what matters is to be righteous. Only then does one use all his forces toward the real goal and does not waste away his strength. Instead, the powers of his labor connect and enter the Kedusha.