Page 85 - BERESHIT

Adam Harishon was allotted one thousand years of life. The Midrash
states that he gave away seventy years of his life to David Hamelech.
Hashem asked Adam to give it in writing and had him sign a written
contract. When it came time for Adam to pass away, Adam claimed that
he still had another 70 years to live, and Hashem showed him the contract.
How did Adam forget that he had signed a contract with Hashem?

It could be that the sin of eating from the Tree of Knowledge caused him
to forget, as every sin has an element of forgetfulness. Also, Adam became
so preoccupied with Torah after the sin, that he felt an affinity to Gan
Eden and forgot the events which led to his expulsion.

Tzaddikim find death difficult to bear, as they feel a taste of Gan Eden in
their learning. Hence it was difficult for Adam Harishon to part with years
of his life because of his attachment to Torah. Adam was willing to give
away years of life before he experienced the taste of Torah. After enjoying
its sweetness, though, he was not so eager to give it away.

Why did Hashem not give David Hamelech life without resorting to Adam
Harishon? This contains a tremendous lesson for us. We should learn to
appreciate the value of time and take advantage of the days of our lives,
not to squander them away.