Tag: Rosh haShanah
A Cry to the King
There once was a wise king who had a son he loved very much. The king knew that one day his son would ascend the throne and wear the royal crown and so he wanted him to learn about the world and government. He sent his son to learn wisdom and skills from the many lands throughout the world.
The king made sure that his son had everything he needed including gold and silver as well as a well provisioned ship. With a pain in his heart, the king watched as the ship faded in the distance.
The prince, being young, lost his fortune as he traveled through many lands. Many years passed and one day the prince realized that he was without any means to take care of his needs. Sadly, he decided to return to his father’s palace and began his long hard journey home. After a long time, he arrived at the courtyard gate to his father’s palace.
In the long time he had traveled, he had forgotten how the language was spoken in his native country, and he was unable to identify himself to the guards. He was tired, confused and hopeless and in his despair he began to cry out in a loud voice. The King, who happened to be walking the battlements, recognized the voice of his beloved son. Hearing the crying of his son, the King went out to him and brought him into the palace, welcoming him with tight embraces and kisses.
We see from this story that: The King is G d. The prince is the Jewish people, who are called the “Children of the living God.” (Hosea 1:10). The King sends a soul down to this world in order “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your G-d (Micah 6:8) and to fulfill the words of Torah and mitzvos.
However, the soul becomes very distant and forgets everything to which it was accustomed to above, and in the long exile it forgets even its own “language.” So it utters a simple cry to its Father in Heaven. This is the blowing of the shofar, a cry from deep within, expressing regret for the past and determination for the future. This cry brings about G d’s mercies, and He demonstrates His abiding affection for His child and forgives him.
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Horses and Rosh haShanah
On Rosh Hashanah we are very aware that the Book of Life is opened and that it is a time of justice, mercy and faith. I was recently at a ceremony at a farm and was struck by the beauty and majesty of the horses when I remembered a story about the inter-relationship of man and horse that taught a very important lesson.
At first G-d thought to create the world through the quality of judgment (din), but realizing that the world could not endure at this level. G-d added on the quality of compassion (rachamim).
—Midrash Bereishis Raba 12:15
One Friday morning a group of students set out to spend the Sabbath with their teacher, a holy rabbi. Dovid, whose deep love for animals earned him a reputation as a gifted horse whisperer, was among this group of students. After encountering several obstacles and delays on their journey, the group arrived just as the sun was about to set Friday afternoon. Fearing they would be late for Sabbath prayers and miss the holy rabbi’s teachings, the group hastily abandoned their horse and carriage and ran off to the synagogue everyone that is, except Dovid. When the holy rabbi realized that Dovid was missing, he sent the some of the students to look for him. Where did they find him? In the barn, feeding and brushing the horses. When they asked him what he was doing there, he responded that all the others had run off without thinking to feed and water the horses, who were weary from the demanding journey, and so he had stayed behind to do just that.
Dovid was a holy soul in the truest way, a lover of the Divine, and his love for G-d was expressed through his deep compassion for all creatures and all living things. It was absolutely clear to Dovid that by observing the mitzvah of tzaar ba’alei chaim, the commandment to prevent the suffering of animals, he would obtain more closeness to G-d than by seeking spiritual satisfaction in the synagogue. Dovid understood that it is in the expression of compassion, the love and care we extend to all living things that we find the Divine presence; for ultimately compassion, or rachamim, as it is called in Hebrew, is G-d’s very essence.
Jewish mysticism teaches that we come close to G-d only when we “walk in G-d’s ways” – that is, when we embody the divine quality of compassion. In the following, the thirteen attributes of Divine mercy revealed to Moses at Mount Sinai form the template for the practice of compassion:
“Walking in all His ways. (Deuteronomy 5:22). What are the ways of the Holy One, blessed be He? “A G-d compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in kindness and faithfulness, extending kindness to the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin” (Exodus 34:6).
This means that just as G-d is gracious and compassionate, we too must be gracious and compassionate. . . Just as G-d gives freely to all, we too must give freely to all. Just as G-d is loving, we too must be loving.
Spiritual development, according to the teachings of the rabbis, is measured by how much compassion and mercy we show to one another everyday.
May you be inscribed in the Book of Life for a sweet year and blessings
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Computers, Pride and the Twice Sewn Coat
You can listen to The Twice Sewn Coat by clicking here
Rosh haShanah is quickly approaching and the preparation for the review by the Holy One, blessed be He for us to be inscribed in the Book of Life can be overwhelming. In this time before this holiday of deep retrospection and review of our actions for the past year, we pledge ourselves to improve ourselves and the greater community.
In a world so filled with science and technology where one depends on computers, cell phones and other electronics it is easy to get lost in the constant streaming and instant resources. Some feel that we are much better than those of past generations. A student recently was assigned to write a three paragraph essay about the world without computers and other electronics. He was bewildered and could not imagine such a world.
In our pride we have forgotten how to talk, be personable, or simply be courteous. Today’s society, in its pride, has become less human. In this time leading up to Rosh haShanah, let’s try to touch and interact with the world around us and not be proud of our electronic prowess and its effects upon our society.
We learn from the Holy Writings:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are My ways your ways” (Isa. 55:8). When a man has a vessel, he rejoices in it as long as it is whole and useful; when it is broken, he has no use for it. Now, what is the Holy One’s precious vessel? Man’s heart. When the Holy One sees a man proud in heart, He has no use for him, as is said, “Everyone that is proud in heart is an abomination to the L-rd” (Prov. 16:5). But when the heart is broken, He says, “This one is Mine,” as is said, “The L-rd is near to them that are of a broken heart” (Ps. 34:19).
There once lived a master Jewish tailor. Even the nobility, for miles around, came to have their clothing fashioned by his talented hand.
Once, a nobleman came to the tailor bring with him a bolt of cloth. Handing it to the tailor, he said, “This is very fine and expensive material; it comes all the way from the East. I want you to sew me a suit of clothes, but I want it to be well cut and tailored, to do justice to the fabric.”
“Am I not a master tailor?” laughed the tailor, as he received the material.
A few days later, when the tailor brought the suit for its first fitting, the nobleman was displeased with the result. “You’ve ruined the fine cloth!” he ranted. In a fit of anger, he threw the cloth at him and chased him out of his house.
After this incident, the tailor lost his good name. The other noblemen stopped patronizing him and he was soon starving. When his wife saw how poor they had become, she urged her husband to visit the holy rabbi of the town. “Many people are helped by him. Go to him; he will tell you what to do.”
The tailor followed his wife’s advice and went to the rabbi.
After the holy rabbi heard the tailor pour out his sad tale, he said to him, “This is what you must do. Take the very suit that you sewed for the nobleman. Rip out the seams, but sew them back in the same place. Then take the suit to him again.”
The tailor laughed inwardly at this suggestion, but followed it nevertheless. He had nothing to lose. When the suit was completed for the second time, he took it back to the poritz for his approval. This time, the nobleman was very pleased with the result. He praised the tailor highly and even gave him a gift of appeasement.
The tailor returned to the holy rabbi and told him what had happened.
“I realized,” said the holy rabbi, “that when you first sewed the garment, you felt a sense of exaggerated pride, as if your skill was beyond question. A thing done from pride lacks grace. That is why it failed to please the count. When you came to me, bowed and meek, no longer so self-confident in your skill, I told you to rip out the stitches and begin all over again. The second time you sewed it with humility and submission. And then the same garment suddenly became appealing!”
Listen to a video of this story at The Twice Sewn Coat
May we all be blessed with a coming year of hope and goodness
Me we all be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life.
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)
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WHERE ARE THE BOOKS THAT WE WISH TO BE INSCRIBED IN?
And so that you will prolong your days (Dev0rim/Deuteronomy 11:9)
A young boy went with his father to the wooden shul (synagogue). At one point during the service, the boy turned to his father and asked” “When we say Avinu Malkeinu we ask the Holy One, blessed be He to inscribe us in the book of life, the book of redemption and salvation, the book of livelihood, the book of forgiveness and atonement, and the book of merits. Where are those book found and can we read them?”
The father looked at his son and answered: “My son, you ask a very good question, but I am at a loss on how to answer. Why don’t you go the rabbi and ask him your question?”
The boy took a deep breath and went up to the rabbi, who sat on a big chair in front of the synagogue. He stood a little afraid as he faced the rabbi and slowly asked his question. The rabbi looked at the young boy with kind eyes and remarked: “Such a big question from such a little boy, but a very good one.”
The rabbi began to explain:
The “book of life” is familiar to us from the Sages’ teaching that the book of life is opened during the Days of Awe. But where else do we find mention of any of the other books in which we hope to be inscribed?
With this idea, perhaps we can gain a better understanding of the teachings of
the holy rabbis that a person should always study Torah (Scripture) and not skip any part, for whoever completes such study merits that their days and years be lengthened. According to the parallel we noted between the fiveand the five “books,” we can suggest that by completing study of all of the Torah (Scriptures) a person acquires all the benefits that correspond to each of the Chumashim.
On the Talmud’s words, “his days and years are extended,” Ben Yehoyada notes that “days” refers to the quality of a person’s life, while “years” refers to the quantity or length of a person’s life. He uses this concept to explain the verse:
For through me your days will be increased, and they will increase years of life for you (Mishlei/Proverbs 9:11).
Your days will be increased is a promise to enhance a person’s quality of life, while and they will increase years of life for you is a promise to increase the length of a person’s life.
Those who talk during the reading of the Torah place themselves in the category of
And those who forsake Hashem will perish (Yeshayah/Isaiah 1:28).
If they were talking while the books of life, redemption, livelihood, forgiveness and merit were being read, how can they then come and pray to the Holy One, blessed be He to inscribe them in these very books?
May all be remembered and inscribed for a year of life, goodness and blessings
How to be Forgiven of Sin
You shall seek G-d, and you shall find Him, but you must search for Him wholeheartedly. In your distress, when all these things (sin) come upon you, in the end of days, you will return to the L-rd, your G-d, and listen to his voice. (Deuteronomy 4:29).
A man who had drifted away from faith came to a holy rabbi and gave him a long list of sins he had committed over the years, He told the holy rabbi that he had hoped by fasting frequently and punishing himself by sleeping on the ground and putting pebbles inside his shoes, he could be forgiven for his terrible deeds. He wondered whether all of his actions were sufficient to attain forgiveness for his sins.
The holy rabbi listened closely and studied the list of sins carefully. Then he remarked, “It appears that you have done a complete job. Truly a complete job.”
The young man was pleased that the rabbi appeared to have approved of his penance. “Then I am forgiven?” he asked.
“Not quite,” the holy rabbi said. “Is not the soul a guest in our body, deserving of our kind hospitality? Today it is here, tomorrow it is gone” (Leviticus Rabbah 34:3) The rabbi paused and thought for a moment then continued, “You began by committing sins to ruin your neshamah (soul). Having done that, you then directed your attention toward ruining your body as well. That is a complete job.”
The young man began to cry, “Rabbi, holy rabbi, I want to be forgiven of the terrible things I have done. I thought I was doing what is right, but now I see that I was wrong. What am I to do?”
The rabbi comforted the young man, “Begin a meal with words of Torah (Scriptures) and a benediction (blessing).” (Megillah 12b). The rabbi instructed the young man, “Eat three meals each day, pray from your heart and study the Holy Words. Remember that ‘through kindness and truth, sin is atoned’ (Proverbs 16:6) Do this and you will be forgiven by man and the Holy One, blessed be He.”
The young man looked upand asked, “how can this be?”
“We learn that ‘G-d created man in His own image’ (Genesis 1:27) Since man is created in the image of G-d, he has the ability to forgive and be divine in his deeds. For this reason we are taught, ‘Beloved is man who was created in the divine image.’ (Mishna Avos 3:14)” answered the holy rabbi.
According to many great rabbis, atonement does not require self-torment and punishment. Rather, one should understand the gravity of transgressing the Divine will, appreciate how injurious this is to oneself, and make a concerted effort to refine his character so that he is no longer likely to repeat the improper behavior. Self-punishment can mislead one to think that he has achieved atonement, whereas nothing in his character may have changed.
An old Jewish teaching tells us that “great is repentance: it brings healing to the world.” (Yoma 86a) Let us all hope that we can bring about a healing in the world.
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)
Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us
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The King Hears the Cry
A King had an only son, the apple of his eye. The King wanted his son to be wise and sent his son to learn about many cultures and grow in wisdom, so he sent him to far-off countries with much silver and gold. Far away from home, the son spent all the money until he was penniless. In his sadness he decided to return to his father’s house and after much difficulty, he managed to arrive at the gate of the courtyard to his father’s palace.
The prince’s hardships had kept him away from his beloved father for a very long time. So long that he had actually forgot the language of his country and his father’s court. When he came to the gates of the palace, he was unable to identify himself to the guards. In utter hopelessness he began to cry out in a loud voice, and the King, who recognized the voice of his son, went out to him and brought him into the house, kissing him and hugging him.
We call out to Avinu Malkeinu (our Father and King) The King sends a soul down to this world in order enrich the world and to kindle a holy light. However, the soul becomes very distant and forgets everything to which it was familiar with above in the King’s court, and in the long exile it forgets even its own “language.” So it utters a simple cry to its Father in Heaven, as it is taught: “Look, their brave men cry aloud in the streets; the angels of peace weep bitterly.” (Isa. 33:7). This is prayer and the blowing of the shofar, a cry from deep within, expressing regret for the past and hope for the future. This cry elicits G-d’s mercies, and He demonstrates His abiding affection for His child and forgives him.
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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The Dirty Treasure
A wealthy man was set to embark on a lengthy journey to a distant land. He therefore packed many belongings, as well as food for the way, piling everything into his magnificent coach.
Before he set out on his journey, he called his loyal servant and explained, “I am leaving my home for an extended period of time, and I am appointing you to faithfully watch over it. I have but one request: that you take extraordinary care of my private office, as its contents are very dear to me. Please take extra-special care of it!” The servant agreed, and the wealthy man boarded his coach and set off.
When the clouds of dust from the coach settled, the servant entered the house and thought, “I wonder why my master ordered that I carefully guard his private office, there must be an item of great value hidden inside.”
The servant entered the wealthy man’s office and found a huge wooden chest sitting in the corner. The chest immediately caught his eye.
The servant opened the chest and saw a beautiful treasure consisting of silver and gold, precious gems, and pearls. But much to his surprise, the entire treasure was covered with mud.
“How odd,” the servant thought to himself. “On one hand, my master cautioned me to take special care of his precious treasure, yet on the other hand, he himself is so careless with it that he allows it to become filthy with mud.”
So it is with man. When the time will come for man to stand in judgment before the Heavenly Court, the innermost parts of his heart are examined. Were the thoughts in his heart pure, and did he serve G-d with love and honesty? For the heart is the most precious treasure contained within man’s body, and if it is revealed that his heart is covered with filth and mud, it is clue to the mundane thoughts that fill it.
How terrible will his humiliation and shame be at that moment.
Therefore, during Rosh haShanah and Yom Kippur we beseech the Holy One, blessed be He “who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do” (Ps. 33:15) Create in me a pure heart, O G-d, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Ps. 51:10) — Master of the Universe, please make our hearts contain only love and awe for you and not any alien thoughts!
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)
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The King, the Thief the True Penitant
Chazal state (Berachos 34b), “R’ Ahahu said: In the place where ba’alei teshuvah (a true penitent) stand, tzaddikim gemurim (the purely righteous who have been untainted by sin) do not stand.”
There was a king who reigned over his entire kingdom with justice and wisdom. On one occasion, the king wished to discover his subjects’ true feelings regarding his rule, and so he disguised himself as a beggar, and went out in the streets.
As he roamed the alleyways, he was attacked by a band of cruel thieves. They wished to harm him, but one of the thieves, a spark of mercy for the beggar having flickered in his heart, fiercely defended him against his attackers, even helping him escape to safety.
The king returned to his palace and, some time later, arranged a lavish seudas hada’ah (lit., a feast of thanksgiving.), to which he invited all of the ministers and distinguished members of the kingdom. He also invited the thief who had saved him from the clutches of his partners.
The thief sat there in his simple attire and felt rather uncomfortable in the presence of the ministers who were dressed so elegantly. The ministers as well stared at the thief in utter bewilderment:
what place did this lowly individual have at the king’s feast?
The king noticed the puzzled expressions on the faces of the ministers. He therefore called over the thief and sat him down alongside him in a display of great honor. He then related to his guests what had transpired and how this thief had saved his life.
So too, it is in relation to repentance. The Torah states (Hoshea 14:2), “Return, Israel, unto Hashem your G-d.” When an individual repents and becomes a ba’al teshuvah, he draws closer to Hashem like the thief who, through saving the king, repented and in effect anointed the king over the entire land. In a similar vein, when a ba’al teshuvah overcomes his yetzer hara, he annoints Hashem King of the world as a result. The prophet Joel taught that one should “Rend your heart, not your garments and turn to the L-rd” (Joel 2:13) In this world “a king of flesh and blood insists upon having his decrees carried out. Hashem, the Holy One, blessed be He, does not act so, for He desires one’s repentance, so that He can have any excuse to annul His decrees” (Rosh haShanah 57a). It is good when one thinks about repentance and follows it with action and deed.
For the sake of one true penitent, the whole world is pardoned. (Yoma 86b)
l’Shana Tova May Everyone Be Blessed with a Good and Sweet Year
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)
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Repentance and the Captive Prince
The rabbis of old taught that:
“In the place where those who return and truly repent stand, the purely righteous who have never sinned can not stand.” Berachos 34b
The Captive Prince
A king had two mighty and courageous sons. One day, the king went out to battle his enemies, and his two sons went with him as commanders in his army. Each son led his soldiers into battle. The sons fought with much strength and bravery, but the enemy was able to surround one of the sons. The battle raged on, but at the end he was taken captive by the enemy. The king’s son suffered in the enemy prison, starving and deprived, and after a full year, he finally succeeded in digging a tunnel so that he could escape from the dismal prison. The prince ran away, crossing over rivers and lakes, and trekking through forests and over mountains. After a while, he finally returned to his father’s home. How great was the happiness and joy in the king’s palace upon the prince’s return. Large celebrations were held in his honor, and the king sat him to his right and showered him with gifts. Without a doubt, this son’s joy is ten times greater than a son who had never left his father’s home.
This is the identical happiness that a person feels when he returns in complete repentance to his Father in Heaven. His joy is ten times greater than one who has never sinned, for only once a person has saved himself from sin can he truly perceive the taste of “captivity.”
L’Shana Tova May Everyone Be Blessed with a Good and Sweet Year
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)