D'var Torah:: “A man will go in the Image of HaShem. One who seeks vanities will store them up, yet he doesn’t know who will gather them after he dies. I will trust in HaShem, my hope is to You” (Tehilim 39:7,8). The Image of HaShem embraces the spiritual powers of the soul, which is the essence of a man’s life in this world, as well as the World to Come. However, a person who pursues wealth and possessions, does not preserve his spiritual integrity. He abandons the eternal and seeks the transient. Whereas a person of faith places his trust and hope exclusively in attaching himself to the Holy Shechinah. The Shechinah will stay with him for eternity, unlike gold and silver which will not stay in his possession.
Moral: King David had the clarity to recognize the lasting and wholesome value of spiritual pursuits, and by staying on the path of the Image of HaShem he preserved the holiness of his soul.
Application: Reflect on the great advantage of seeking spiritual pursuits in contrast to striving after material interests. Strengthen your commitment to be true to your Image of HaShem, the very soul that is the root of your spiritual powers. Purse Torah study, Mitzvot, and good deeds and as a result you will attach yourself to the Holy Shechinah for eternity.
(Based on the commentary of the Ramad Valli)
