Rabbi's Corner

In Sefer B’reyshit (the Book of Genesis) we read the following: “And Ya’akov went out from Be’er-Sheva, and he went to Charan. And he arrived at the place, and he lodged there for the sun had set, and he took stones of the place, and he put them at his head, and he lay down in that place. And he dreamed, and, behold: a ladder standing on the ground and its top reaching the Heavens; and, behold: Angels of G-d ascending and descending upon it. And behold: Hashem was standing over him, and He said, ‘I am Hashem, G-d of Avraham, your father, and G-d of Yitzchak; the land upon which you are lying I will give to your seed….” And Ya’akov awoke from his sleep, and he said, “Indeed Hashem is in this place, and I did not know.” And he was fearful, and he said, “…this is Sha'ar Shamayim (the Gate of the Heavens)!” (B’reyshit 28:10-13 & 16-17)

But just what is this “gate?” For the People Israel, “the Gate of the Heavens” has always been open and will always remain open. Each era of the People Israel has imagined “the Gate of the Heavens” as an entrance through which those whose prayers pass through will find a life of purpose, a life of presence in the here and now, a life that gives meaning, a life that creates a better world not only for the People Israel but for all peoples of this world.

Perhaps this well-known story about the Baal Shem Tov offers us the most sage advice on how each of us by way of our prayers may gain access to the gate: “It is Yom Kippur, the Day of Judgment. The Baal Shem Tov is conducting the prayer services. In the middle of his chant, he pauses abruptly. His face looks troubled and strained. Time passes and the congregation becomes increasingly anxious over this unusual delay. In the meantime, a young shepherd boy is sitting in the back of the synagogue. Never having received a religious education, he is unable to read the Hebrew words of the prayers. Yet his heart yearns to pray to his heavenly father. He pulls out his shepherd’s whistle from his pocket and decides to pray in the form of a tune. As he sounds the first note, the startled congregation turns around and silences him. Suddenly a smile brightens the Baal Shem Tov’s face. He resumes the service and brings it to a joyful conclusion. Afterwards, his disciples ask for an explanation of this curious behavior. The Baal Shem Tov replies: “I sensed the gates of heaven were closed to our prayers. A year of misfortune was to be decreed upon our people. I tried to break through but to no avail. However, that one sincere and heartfelt note which the shepherd boy emitted was enough. It pierced through all the heavenly gates. Thereafter, all our prayers were permitted to follow.”

May your hearts be filled to overflowing with your own individual prayers during these Yamim Nora’im (days of Awe), and may your prayers create a better life and a better world for you and those you hold dear!