[Avodah] a story for our time

[Michael Poppers via Avodah]

Received this evening from the JEC Adath Israel
<http://www.adathisraelshul.org/> e-list:

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, Sep 8, 2016 at 12:52 PM
To: Zichron Shlomo Cong <congregationzichronshlomo at gmail.com>

A story is told of a king, a very benevolent and kind king. He loved his
countrymen, and they loved him too. Fairness and Justice was the law
of the land. Every accused had the right to a fair trial, and people
were judged with great mercy. In fact, many human rights laws of the
modern world were practiced in this kingdom. (There was a law that even
after a person was tried for a crime and sentenced, he would be able
to have the sentence repealed if he declared in public "Long live the
king!" with all his might! [i] Unfortunately, few took advantage of
this unique leniency.)

It was well known that the king was always willing to help out his
subjects in all their needs. In fact, a ministry of his government was
dedicated to helping out individual and communal matters throughout the
land. When a city or community appealed for his help, he would never
refuse them.[ii] The king had a particular affinity for his Jewish
subjects.

One day, word went out that the king was planning on visiting the city!
Additionally, his Majesty intended to visit the Jewish Quarter, and
agreed to grant an audience to each and every person living there[iii]
and will be open to considering all their personal needs![iv]

The Jews were ecstatic! What an opportunity! This was going to be one
of the most significant events ever.

Preparations began in all parts of the city. New flowers were planted,
boulevards repaved, and everything was set in place for the upcoming
visit.

But the Jewish Quarter wouldn't suffice with a mere facelift. After all,
the king will be spending considerable time there. Now, you need to
understand the issue. You see, everybody loved the king dearly. Nobody
would want to disappoint him. But human nature, combined with personal
and family needs, sometimes collaborate to help people forget the law. No
malice intended. The fact is that people run about their busy lives,
and the law often gets neglected. One fellow owed three years of back
taxes; another person built an illegal extension, a third one got into
trouble with some bad friends.

On the communal level too, things weren't perfect. Last winter's potholes
were never repaired, the shul and community hall were in disrepair. Each
individual had his host of problems he needed to address before being
able to face the king. The king will be fully informed.

You need to understand the severity of the situation. Imagine this
person who owed taxes, standing in audience, requesting help to heal
his sick daughter, and the king, after listening intently, asks him,
"OK, we can get you the finest doctor, but tell me, how are things
by you? Why aren't you up to date with your taxes?" Could you imagine
the shame? I mean, it's not only that. He might be imprisoned on the
spot! One CANNOT face the king with such baggage.

The guy with the renovation, if he doesn't want to be in deep trouble,
it would be smart if he applied for a building permit now, ahead of the
king's visit. It's obvious; no one can face the king without having done
some serious inventory. Everything has got to be squeaky clean.

In all truth, there was a great blessing concealed in this visit.
Otherwise, things could have continued so for a long time, with offenses,
small and big, building up, until the king would have had enough of it
and punished the entire community, as he has done in numerous cities
under his rule.[v]

So this pending visit gave everyone the opportunity to come clean,
and to refresh their loyalty and commitment to his Majesty.[vi]

There was no doubt in anyone's mind that the king would accept their
sincere remorse for their misdeeds and grant them clemency.[vii]

At the recent town meeting, a concern was raised. Most of the community
members were completely unaccustomed to royalty. They might never have
seen a royal motorcade, never heard or seen the marching band of the
king's army. How will they be aware of the critical importance of this
big day? So it was decided that every morning forthwith, a trumpet would
be blast all across town. That would serve as a wake-up call to remind
the people to prepare for the big day.[viii]

Moshe, a long-time resident, captured the feelings in the air, "We are
so happy and honored to privilege such an occasion, which express the
deep feelings of love we all have to the king.[ix] But, at the same time,
we are very fearful as well."[x]

--

[i]
שבת
קיט: אמר ריב"ל כל העונה אמi יהא שמיה רבא מברך בכל כוחו קורעיi לו גזר דינו

[ii]
ראש
השנה יח, א, לה' אלקנו בכל קראנו אליו וכדמסקינi כאi בציבור

[iii]
בראש
השנה כל באי עולם עובריi לפניו כבני מרוi (משנה ר"ה טז, א)

[iv]
גמ'
שם יח, א, דרשו ה' בהמצאו קראוהו בהיותו קרוב, אלו עשרה ימים שביi ראש השנה
ליום הכיפורים

[v]
רש"י
בראשית טו, טז, איi הקב"ה נפרע מאומה עד שתתמלא סאתה. ועייi עלי שור ח"ב עמ'
תקצג

[vi]
חדשו
מעשיכם בחודש השביעי (ויק"ר כט, ו)

[vii]
משנה
תענית כו: לא היו ימים טובים לישראל כיום הכפורים, משום דאית ביה סליחה ומחילה
(גמ' שם ל:)

[viii]
טור
או"ח סימi תקפא, לכi התקינו חכמינו ז"ל שיהיו תוקעיi בראש חודש אלול בכל שנה
ושנה וכל החודש כדי להזהיר ישראל שיעשו תשובה, שנאמר אם יתקע שופר בעיר ועם לא
יחרדו?

[ix]
אשרי
העם יודעי תרועה, כי בשמך יגילוi כל היום...

[x]
עבדו
את ה' בשמחה וגילו ברעדה, במקום גילה שם תהא רעדה (ברכות ל, ב, ועייi רבינו
יונה שם)

--
Zev Wolbe