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Courtesy:Jewish Times ofSouth Jersey, by Rabbi Max Fox (Congregation Rodef Sholom) The story is told of the 18th Century Chassidic leader, Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev, who was returning home to Berditchev in a horse and carriage driven by a Jewish coachman. As they were drawing closer to Berditchev, they passed luscious fields strewn with newly cut bundles of hay. On the way, the coachman stopped the horse, descended from the carriage, and went into the field. He looked around to make sure no one was looking. He picked up a big bundle of hay and was about to throw it in the back of his carriage. Suddenly, Rabbi Lev Yitzchok of Berdichev cried out "Reb Yankel, Er Zeht! Er Zeht!" "Jacob, He sees! He sees!" The frightened coachman dropped the bundle of fresh hay and quickly drove away. Having traveled a good distance, the coachman looked back but saw no one. He turned to the rabbi and asked in amazement: "Rabbi, who sees?" The rabbi answered: "Gott zeht!" "G-d sees!" Es iz doh a Gott auf dee velt!" "There is a G-d in the world!" Indeed, G-d sees all our actions. So, in the words of the Torah, "Let us do what is right and good in the eyes of G-d." To paraphrase an old saying: "Remember, you can fool some of the people all the time. You can fool all the people some of the time But you can't fool G-d at any time!" "Gott zeht!" "G-d sees!"' May the observance of the High Holidays implant in us the sensitivity and awareness of G-d, so that we may draw closer to G-d and our fellowman; so that we may live more meaningful lives based on honesty and the lofty principles of the Torah." May the Lord bless us and our loved ones with "Shenat Chayim Tovim" - A year of life, a year of good health, a year of material blessings and spiritual fullfillment, a year of peace in our land, in Israel and in the world. |