On the High Holy Days we add certain phrases to the Amidah that reflect the themes and aspirations of this sacred time. One of the first such prayers is zochreinu l’chayim:
Remember us for life
Our King who delights in life
Inscribe us in the book of life
For Your sake, G-d of life.
This short prayer (in Hebrew, a mere 11 words) is not just for life. It is about life. It teaches us an enormous amount about life’s meaning and purpose. The prayer asserts that G-d delights in life. That being the case, we might ask, why doesn’t G-d just insure that we live forever? And while we’re at it, why would this be “for Your [that is, G-d’s] sake?” How would my living forever be of any assistance to G-d?
But no, the life in which G-d delights is not measured in temporal terms. It’s not about how long, but about how well, we live.
“Remember us for life” makes sense if we have sought to do something memorable and meaningful with our lives. That is the life in which G-d can take delight.
Being inscribed in the book of life is not merely a “get out of jail free card” for the upcoming year. It means that your deeds have been worthy of being memorialized in the annals of humanity.
And all of this is “for G-d’s sake.” This is the most daring assertion of all. Why did G-d create us? I’m not entirely sure, but our prayer is telling us that we are supposed to be living for G-d’s sake. Our continued existence is meant to be devoted to Divine Service.
As the great medieval philosopher Bachya ibn Pakuda wrote, “Days are scrolls; write on them what you want to be remembered.”
Every day, we should write something delightful!