B"H
Thursday, Elul 26, 5776 / September 29, 2016 - Hakhel year
This will be the last Torah Fax for this Hebrew calendar year, 5776. I would like to conclude the year with the following story which emphasizes the importance of everyone’s prayer. Even when one cannot read the Hebrew text, one can pray in any other language. G-d understands every language. “G-d sees straight to the heart,” say our sages. The following illustrates the power of sincere prayer.
Rabbi Israel, commonly referred to as "The Baal Shem Tov," emphasized the spiritual greatness which lies within every Jew. Contrary to the thinking of many scholars at the time, he explained that the mitzvah of loving ones fellow, applies as much to the "simple" Jew as to the greatest sage. “The ignorant and common person,” he said, “is no less connected to G-d than the sage and scholar.”
The Baal Shem Tov admired and very much encouraged those Jews who, in their simplicity, did their best to observe the mitzvot. He felt that their commitment, observance and love of G-d come purely from the heart. Here is one story to illustrate this.
There was a Jewish farmer who used to pray in the synagogue of the Baal Shem Tov on the High Holidays. The farmer was a simple man, barely able to recite the Hebrew prayers. One year when he came for Yom Kippur, he also brought his son, who had turned Bar Mitzvah. As little as the father knew, the son knew even less. The young boy, being a shepherd, always carried a flute with him. He loved to play while the sheep were grazing. Without the father's knowledge, the boy brought the flute with him.
The Baal Shem Tov and the congregation were reciting the Yom Kippur prayers with great enthusiasm and emotion. The fervor and holiness of this great day was felt in the air. The boy, not being able to read, yet feeling a desire to express his feeling to G-d, decided to play to G-d on the flute! When his father noticed him taking the flute, he angrily rebuked him. "It is prohibited to play this on this holy day--especially in a synagogue! How dare you desecrate this holiest day of the year with your flute!" Reluctantly, the boy put the flute back.
Later in the day, as the Cantor was reciting the final Neilah prayer, the boy's desire and urge to express his feeling for G-d became even stronger. This time, he took out the flute and let out a sound. Everyone was shocked! Everyone's eyes turned toward him. Some even wanted to lead the boy out of the synagogue for desecrating this Holy day. The boy's father didn't know where to bury himself out of shame. But it was too late.
When the prayers were finally over, the Baal Shem Tov approached the boy and thanked him!
To the amazement of all the people, the Baal Shem Tov explained, "The innocence, sincerity and pure intentions with which this lad blew the flute made a great impression in heaven. It accomplished more than all our prayers. In fact, all of our prayers were elevated and reached their desired heavenly destination only as a result of this lad's sound which came from the bottom of his heart in great sincerity!
Note:I will be away from the Torah Fax desk for a few weeks. I will resume, G-d willing, when I return.
SHANA TOVA UMETUKA – A HAPPY, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL & SWEET NEW YEAR