A Rosh HaShanah Story
Once, an eight-year-old girl entered a jewelry store and picked out a ring. The proprietor asked her if she could afford it. She took our her purse and emptied the contents on the counter. Pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters spilled out. All in all, it didn't amount to nearly enough money to purchase the ring.
The man asked her why she wanted the ring. She replied, "Our mother died a few years ago. My older sister takes care of us with great love and devotion. Today is her eighteenth birthday. We all chipped in to buy her a special gift."
The jeweler was deeply moved by this girl and her story. He gift-wrapped the ring and gave it to the girl with a warm smile.
A few hours later, the eighteen-year-old sister came into the store and said, "There must be a mistake. My sister cannot afford this ring."
The man answered, "Every piece of jewelry in this store has a price. When your sister told me her story, it broke my heart. My broken heart was the price of this ring. Please take it and enjoy your birthday."
As we approach Rosh HaShanah we pray to God for another year of life. All we have to do is just consider our shortcomings. If we come to Shul with a broken heart, God will accept our repentance, and grant us another year of life.
The Torah praises Yitzchak Avinu for giving charity: "And
Yitzchak planted in the land." "Planting" is a metaphor for tzedakah. A farmer sows his grains into the earth, knowing it will produce abundant harvests. So too, God will surely bless and grant abundant increase to a person who gives tzedakah!
Once, an eight-year-old girl entered a jewelry store and picked out a ring. The proprietor asked her if she could afford it. She took our her purse and emptied the contents on the counter. Pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters spilled out. All in all, it didn't amount to nearly enough money to purchase the ring.
The man asked her why she wanted the ring. She replied, "Our mother died a few years ago. My older sister takes care of us with great love and devotion. Today is her eighteenth birthday. We all chipped in to buy her a special gift."
The jeweler was deeply moved by this girl and her story. He gift-wrapped the ring and gave it to the girl with a warm smile.
A few hours later, the eighteen-year-old sister came into the store and said, "There must be a mistake. My sister cannot afford this ring."
The man answered, "Every piece of jewelry in this store has a price. When your sister told me her story, it broke my heart. My broken heart was the price of this ring. Please take it and enjoy your birthday."
As we approach Rosh HaShanah we pray to God for another year of life. All we have to do is just consider our shortcomings. If we come to Shul with a broken heart, God will accept our repentance, and grant us another year of life.
The Torah praises Yitzchak Avinu for giving charity: "And
Yitzchak planted in the land." "Planting" is a metaphor for tzedakah. A farmer sows his grains into the earth, knowing it will produce abundant harvests. So too, God will surely bless and grant abundant increase to a person who gives tzedakah!