A long time ago, in Eastern Europe, a Jew was thrown into debtor’s prison a day or two before Yom-Kippur. He leased a inn or business from the local nobleman, and had fallen behind on his rent. His family was scrambling to get money together and asked fellow townspeople for help, but people were poor and preoccupied with preparations for the holiest day of the year. A man, a Chassid neighbor of the imprisoned Jew, took the time to listen and realized the urgency of the matter. He was thinking of where a large sum could be put together quickly, and realized that gamblers in the tavern often have large sums at hand. So while it wasn’t his style, and certainly not before the Day of Atonement, he made his way to the tavern.
He approached a four-some sitting at the first table, and told them of the plight of this poor man who had fallen on hard times. He saw the stack of bills in middle of playing cards and asked for help. They laughed him off. One player thought of a bet. He showed the Chassid a large mug and said, “If you drink this filled with vodka, I’ll give you all the money on the table.” That was a lot to ask, but the Chassid thought of the poor Jew in prison on the eve of Yom-Kippur, and he hesitatingly agreed. It wasn’t easy but he downed the cup. The men were shocked and gave him the money. It was a lot, but not enough.
Now he was emboldened. He went to the next table and told the men gambling there of the challenge he got at the first table. Not to be outdone, and quite surprised that this Chassid would attempt to down a second mug, they agreed. And after doing the same at a third table, he had all the money needed to free to Jew, but was in bad shape himself. After the Jew was freed, he asked to be brought to the synagogue.
He was a sorry sight. The other congregants were aghast. The man couldn’t hold himself up straight, he was reeking of alcohol. And for Kol Nidrei!
The ark was open, the Torahs were brought out for Kol Nidrei, as is the custom, and held by community elders around the Bimah. This drunk Chassid looked up, and to him, because of his state, the Torahs were moving, circling the Bimah, round and round… He shouted out “Atah Horaysa L’Daas!” the verse that opens the Hakafot ceremonies on Simchat Torah!
The people rushed to shush him up and throw him out, but the Rabbi of the Synagogue (two versions, either Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi – Alter Rebbe of Chabad, or Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev) turned around and told the congregation: “Leave him be. This man has surpassed Yom-Kippur. He has already reached Simchas Torah!”
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I share this story tonight, because of little story that took place today on campus. After Rosh Hashanah lunch Raizy and I walked on campus to blow Shofar for students who may not have had a chance to hear it. And Shofar on Rosh Hashanah is a huge Mitzvah. We stopped at the Small Fountain and blew a few blasts. Some guys were sitting on the other side, backs turned, but one turned and smiled when he heard it. We asked him if he wanted to hear a short set, he did, and we blew for him and another Jewish friend. We chatted a bit, we know these guys from tabling and a few other times, and then the first guy asks, “Are you guys doing a Break-Fast after Yom Kippur?” yes, we are. “OK, I’ll be there!” he said.
Obviously, I’m not advocating skipping Yom-Kippur. No question, the prayers and fasting and communal Torah reading and singing are much more important than a break-fast. On the other hand, we can’t dismiss or belittle any Jewish effortor activity, for no Mitzvah and no person is insignificant.
But his “see you at the Break-Fast!” reminded me of this powerful story about selfless sacrifice for others in need. And how Yom-Kippur, the holiest day of the year, is a build-up to Simchat Torah!