BS’D
Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of my dear freind Sora Nacha Shoshana bat Chaya Etta who fell on Rosh Hashanah and underwent partial hip replacement. May Hashem shower her and all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering a complete healingb’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.
One Yom Kippur eve, when Chassidic master Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael of Kriminitz was granting the traditional blessing to his children, he noticed that one of his daughters, overcome by the emotion of the moment, was weeping softly. The young child in her arms was also crying.
“Why are you crying, my child,” asked the Rebbe of the tot.
“My mother is crying,” answered the child, “so I am also crying.”
In the synagogue that evening, the Rebbe ascended the podium and related what his young grandchild had said to him. Bursting into tears, he then said: “A child who sees his mother weeping, weeps as well, even if he cannot comprehend the reason for her tears. Our mother, too, is weeping. The Talmud brings down (Berachot, 3a) that the Shechinah ‘keens like a dove and cries: “Woe is to My children, that because of their sins I have destroyed My home, set fire to My sanctuary, and have exiled them among the nations.”’ “So even if we ourselves have become inured to the pain of the exile,” wept Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael, “at least we should cry because our mother is crying.” (www.meaningfullifecenter.com)
On Yom Kippur, Hashem was pacified with joy and wholeheartedly. He said to Moshe ‘I have forgiven you like your word,” and He handed him the second set of commandments. What was the catalyst that caused this change of heart? According to the Pirkei de’Rebbi Eliezer, it was the tears that Klal Yisroel shed. Teshuvah and tefillah without tears can bring about forgiveness. Teshuvah and tefilah with tears have the power to bring about reacceptance with joy.
May this Yom Kippur bring us forgiveness. May our souls bask in happiness and contentment. May we fortify our connection with Hashem Yitborach and merit a strong bond to last the entire year, Amen. Wishing everyone a meaningful fast.
