For a 10% discount on Rabbi David Sutton's new book A Daily Dose of Preparation for Yamim Noraim click the link below https://www.artscroll.com/ Books/9781422645086.html Reflection 3: The Gift of Intellect and Morality Welcome to our special Elul series on Cheshbon HaNefesh , or "internal accounting." This is our third reflection, focusing on the immense gift of intellect and noble character traits that God has bestowed upon us. With this gift, we are elevated above all other living creatures; we are not mere animals, but human beings endowed with the capacity for thought and recognition. To appreciate this gift fully, we must imagine its absence. Consider a person who, while fully aware of it, begins to lose their cognitive abilities—the onset of early dementia, for example. The horror of feeling one's mind slip away is unimaginable. Yet, imagine if a new, experimental drug could restore their cognition completely. This person's entire life would not be enough to thank the doctor who gave them their mind back. If that's the gratitude we'd feel toward a human, how much more should we feel toward God, who gave us our intellect in the first place? Our minds are a gift, as we recognize in the morning prayer, " Atah Chonen La'adam Da'at " ("You grant a person knowledge"). This phrase uses the term chonen , which is the same root as V'etchanan , Moses's plea for a free, unearned gift. Our intellect is a truly free gift. We also acknowledge this in the blessing " HaNoten L'sechvi Bina " ("Who gives the rooster understanding"), which is interpreted as God giving understanding to our own brains. Natural vs. Artificial Intelligence This sense of awe can be heightened by considering the difference between natural and artificial intelligence. We are often impressed by AI—the ability of a computer to process information and provide answers. Yet, as the Chovot HaLevavot teaches, we tend to be impressed by what is new and different, while overlooking the everyday miracles. Artificial intelligence requires vast global networks and immense data to function. Yet, our "natural intelligence" processes an even greater amount of complex information within our small brains. As Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe zt"l used to say, a human brain looks like nothing more than a "bowl of porridge," yet it possesses capabilities that a room-sized computer cannot replicate. While AI struggles with creativity and empathy, the human brain can be compassionate, empathetic, and imaginative. We should take a moment to be impressed by our own minds. The Three Foundational Gifts As we conclude this third reflection, let's recap the first three, which form a foundational unit: the creation and development of man. Existence : The first gift is our very being—the transformation from "nothing" into "something." Physical Form : The second is our physical body—a functioning human being with perfectly developed limbs and organs, not a mere jellyfish. Intellect : The third is our mind—the unique gift of intellect and the ability to think, understand, and possess good character traits. It's not enough to simply say "wow" to these gifts. The next step is to ask: "How can I reciprocate?" Basic gratitude, or Hakarat HaTov , dictates that we should seek ways to show our appreciation to God, who asks nothing in return. This can be through prayer, learning, acts of kindness, or even something as simple as following the laws of kashrut . God asks us to do these things not for His sake, but for ours, and the least we can do is try.