* Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
What is the proper frame of mind for entering Yom Kippur?
Here is a story from the book “Ligdol 3” that can help provide some insight, especially this year:
One Erev Yom Kippur, the Ba’al Shem Tov, founder of the Hasidic movement, arrived in a small village. The village residents were thrilled to greet their important guest and hoped that he would remain with them for the entire Yom Kippur.
“Who is the chazzan (cantor) who will be leading the prayer service on Yom Kippur?” asked the Ba’al Shem Tov.
The people replied, “His name is Yaakov and he leads the service every year.”
“And how does he pray?” inquired the Ba’al Shem Tov.
“He prays beautifully,” they said. “He has a good voice and he is able to make the people feel connected to their prayers. But there is one strange thing about him:
He sings the prayer in which we confess our sins and mistakes—the “Al Chet” (“For the sin…) in a joyous melody.
The Ba’al Shem Tov requested to meet Yaakov. “Tell me,” he said, “why do you sing the “Al Chet” (confessional prayer) with such joy? Would it not be more appropriate to chant this prayer in a serious, even tearful tone of voice?”
This was Chazzan Yaakov’s answer:
“A servant who is responsible for cleaning the king’s courtyard is very happy to do his job. He loves the king and knows that his actions are pleasing him. Therefore, he sings while he is cleaning the king’s palace.”
“You have answered well,” said the Ba’al Shem Tov. “I will be happy to pray with your congregation on Yom Kippur.”
What is the parable?
The king is God, and the palace is our lives. Each one of us is invited to “clean the king’s palace” once a year. Yom Kippur is not a depressing day but a joyous one because on this day we are given the opportunity to repair our deeds. Imagine living in a world where it isn’t possible to regret what you have done and to start anew, a world in which sin is a stain that can never be erased. We must remind ourselves that Yom Kippur is our opportunity to start again with a clean slate.
This year we have so much to repair, both on the personal and national level. Even though it is a difficult and challenging task, we should keep in mind that the possibility of beginning again on Yom Kippur is a great gift.
Gmar Chatima Tova!
