A Lesson in Kindness Before Kol Nidrei: The Yom Kippur Story That Inspires Every Jew

Rabbi Gamliel Rabinowitz relates the following story:

It was Erev Yom Kippur, and the Hasidic master Rabbi Raphael of Bershad was making his way from his home to the synagogue for the Kol Nidrei service. Dressed in elegant white garments, his face radiated holiness, and he appeared, in the words of those who saw him, like "an angel of God." Immersed in thoughts of the sanctity of the day, he walked quietly toward the synagogue.

Along the way, he was greeted by a simple Jewish farmer who was delighted to see the revered rabbi.

"Rabbi, Shanah Tovah!" the farmer exclaimed. "I'm so happy to meet you because I've been needing your advice but haven't had the chance to come see you. Here's my problem: lately, the goats in my pen have refused to eat their hay. Since they aren't eating properly, they're becoming thinner every day."

Rabbi Raphael listened attentively and patiently, giving the man his full attention despite the sacred moments leading up to Kol Nidrei.

When the farmer had finished explaining his concern, the rabbi thoughtfully replied, "I think you should try mixing more water into the hay and straw. Perhaps you could also mix in a little porridge. The goats will surely enjoy the porridge, and once they come to eat it, they'll naturally eat the hay as well."

The farmer was overjoyed with the practical advice. Thanking the rabbi warmly, he left feeling that his beloved goats had been saved.

The rabbi's students, who had accompanied him on the walk to the synagogue, were deeply impressed. They could hardly believe that, on the eve of the holiest day of the year, while on his way to Kol Nidrei, their teacher had patiently discussed the eating habits of goats with a village farmer.

As they continued walking, Rabbi Raphael turned to them and said: "In the famous Iggeret HaRamban, which should serve as a guiding light for every Jew, it is written: 'Always speak gently, to every person and at all times.' The words 'to every person' include even a simple farmer, and 'at all times' includes even Yom Kippur, just before Kol Nidrei."

His message was clear: genuine kindness and patience know no boundaries — not of person, place, or even the holiest moment of the year.

The Joy of Yom Kippur

In connection with Yom Kippur, Rabbi Moshe Aharon Stern, the longtime spiritual mentor of the Kaminetz Yeshiva, would often say that if he were not embarrassed, he would begin dancing in the synagogue as soon as the blessing of Shehecheyanu was recited on Yom Kippur night.

He explained: "If a person knew that even one of their sins had been erased, how overjoyed they would be! They would rejoice that the Creator, in His infinite mercy, had forgiven them. How much greater should our joy be on Yom Kippur, when the sins of the Jewish people are forgiven! As the Mishnah teaches, 'There were no happier days for Israel than Yom Kippur and the Fifteenth of Av.'" (Ta'anit 26b)

Rabbi Stern would add that if people truly sensed the extraordinary spiritual purity that Yom Kippur brings, they would find it almost impossible to sin afterward. Once a person appreciates that their soul has been completely cleansed, they naturally desire to preserve that precious purity.

Adapted with courtesy of the Dirshu website.