Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev and his sexton were going to the synagogue on the eve of Rosh Hashanah when a sudden downpour (perhaps related to a passing hurricane) made them seek shelter under the awning of a tavern. The sexton peered through one of the windows and saw a group of Jews feasting, drinking, and reveling. He impatiently urged Levi Yitzchak to see for himself how these Jews were behaving when they should be in the synagogue praying to God for forgiveness for their sins.
Disregarding the sexton’s urging, the rabbi chided him: “It is forbidden to derogate the children of Israel. They are surely reciting the benedictions for food and drink. May God bless these loyal Jews.” The Disillusioned sexton continued to peep into the tavern and to eavesdrop. “Woe to us, rabbi!” the sexton exclaimed. “I just heard two of the Jews telling each other of thefts they committed.” “If that is so they are truly observant Jews,” Levi Yitzchak rejoicingly admonished his sexton. “They are confessing their sins before Rosh Hashanah. As you know, no one is more righteous than the one who repents.” Too often, we find ourselves peering into the windows of others’ lives. Like the sexton in the story, we might feel judgmental or otherwise troubled by the decisions we see others make. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak reminds the sexton in all of us that we know nothing about the internal lives other people lead. The Ba’al Shem Tov drashes on Psalms (121:5) “God is your shadow,” saying, “just as a person’s shadow entirely mimics his actions, so does God, as it were, entirely reciprocate our deeds. Perhaps this is why the Talmud (Shabbat 127b) teaches, “one who judges another favorably is judged favorably in turn.” In this new year of 5784, let each of us endeavor to be like Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, seeing the best in one another and advocating that we all give each other the benefit of the doubt. In doing so, may we inspire the Author of the Book of Life to inscribe us all for good. May it be a good new year and a sweet new year.
10 a.m. Rosh HaShanah Morning Service 3 p.m. Rosh HaShanah Teen Service Rosh HaShanah Children's Service 4 p.m. Rosh HaShanah Family Reception 4:30 p.m. Tashilich
