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Higher Than Heaven

By Shula Bryski

It was the night of Yom Kippur, the holiest time of the year.

As all the Jews were gathering in shul anxiously awaiting their rebbe’s arrival to begin the prayer services, Rabbi Shneur Zalman, also known as the Alter Rebbe, mysteriously left the small European village.

Some of his devoted and admiring chassidim speculated that their beloved leader went to heaven, connecting to G‑d and His angels in the heavenly spheres in preparation for this holy time.

Where was their beloved leader?

As the Rebbe’s chassidim waited worriedly for him to arrive, he was climbing deep into the woods, with a sack on his back, to chop down wood.

They later learned that he then proceeded to bring the firewood and the sack into the lonely little house of an impoverished widow who had just given birth and her five small children.

Saving a life is so important, that chopping wood and creating fire—normally forbidden on the holy day—are permitted.

No task was beneath this great Torah scholar as he created a blazing fire in the fireplace, unpacked the food and clothes from the sack, lovingly fed the children and left the woman with many kind and caring words.

Perhaps we could say that the Alter Rebbe went to a place even higher than heaven.

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What is true goodness? What is true giving?

True goodness and giving often involves nurturing and caring in little ways that go unseen.

Judaism gently teaches us through the stories of the scroll that true goodness is not carried out in a blaze of glory.

True goodness and giving often involves nurturing and caring in little ways that go unseen.

Often when it’s hard.

Often when it hurts.

Often when it’s not really “my job.”

Impacting this world is not reserved for the knight in shining armor, for the airbrushed faces of Hollywood.

It is the responsibility and right of every one of us—with all of our talents and strengths, and yes, with all of our weaknesses.

We, and our loved ones, are immortalized long after we are gone, through the kind acts on this earth—the comforting whisper to a frightened child, the mending of a broken heart, the giving of charity when we need to dig deep, the patience and forbearance to a cantankerous relative, the nourishing home-cooked meal delivered with love . . .

It is through this goodness and giving that we touch the divine, ascending higher than heaven.

Question:

I always found it funny that on Yom Kippur we don't wear leather shoes. Everyone shows up to shul in suits and sneakers. But leather belts are fine. Why? What do we have against leather shoes? Was Kol Nidrei sponsored by Adidas?

Answer:

Some have suggested that the reason for wearing runners on Yom Kippur is because it's a fast day.

But I think there is something deeper.

Shoes have a unique job. They cover the lowest part of the body, the part that touches the ground, separating us from the earth beneath our feet.

And that gives the shoe a spiritual meaning. It represents where the soul meets the ground.

Inside us is a G-dly soul that reaches upwards, seeking meaning, goodness and holiness. But on the outside, we are just another animal, driven by instinct, appetite and self-interest.

That is the human condition. We are angels in leather shoes. Our deepest self is holy, but our touchpoint with the physical world can be very animalistic.

Our task is to bring those two worlds together, to make even the animal live a G-dly life. Sometimes we succeed, and sometimes we don’t. It’s a lifelong battle between our higher self and our lower urges. 

But Yom Kippur is different.

On that day, we don’t fight the animal. For a few precious hours, we transcend it. We don't eat or drink. We step away from bodily pleasures and comforts. And we remove the leather shoes from our feet.

Beneath all the layers, beneath our appetites and distractions, beneath our mistakes and regrets, there is a soul that was always pure.

For one day a year, we don't need to wrestle with the animal. We step out of its skin, and our true self is free to shine. 

So perhaps Adidas does belong at Kol Nidrei. The shoes may be synthetic, but the soul is the real thing. 

Good Shabbos and Good Yomtov,
Rabbi Moss

Source:
Likkutei Torah, Shir HaShirim 44a

Parshah Riddle:

What two things does Moshe Rabeinu call upon as witnesses as he begins his song?