A Soulful Journey

The Musaf service is a living record of our history.  It describes the Temple times.  It is, without a doubt, the deepest point of the day.  It is here that we read of the actions of the high priest in the past, of the prayers on behalf of himself and his family, the priests, and the whole family of Israel.  It is here that the ineffable name of God was pronounced – the holiest name recited by the holiest man on the holiest day in the holiest of places. Again, later on the description of the two goats – one for God and the other the scapegoat.   One going to life, the other to death.   They stand for us.   “By facing our death, we are asked to justify our life.”   - Rabbi Jonathan Magonet

What is the value of learning?  It ultimately comes to the value of the person.  Our sages, of blessed memory, remind us ongoing learning is critical to our growth spiritually,  intellectually and morally. Here is what they pronounce: "Even a heathen who studies Torah is equal to the Kohen Gadol (High Priest)."  - Avodah Zarah 3a

A prominent member of a congregation came to his rabbi and said, "I would like to become a Kohen." The rabbi, careful to avoid offending the congregant, respectfully declined. "Rabbi," said the man, "if you make me a Kohen, I'll contribute $25,000 to the synagogue." Still, the Rabbi refused. "Alright -- I'll make it $50,000!" Uncomfortably, the rabbi still had to decline. "Final offer: $100,000. Take the money and make me a Kohen -- or else I'll quit the synagogue! Stalling for time, the rabbi asked the man why he wanted to become a Kohen. "It's simple," the man said, "my father was a Kohen, my grandfather was a Kohen ... I want to be a Kohen, too."

A beggar was about to enter the home of a wealthy man.   When he saw him coming, the rich man left.   The beggar could do nothing but shrug and leave.   The wife asked the rich man when he returned: “Why did you leave when you saw the beggar?” “There is a saying in the Talmud that a beggar is equivalent to a dead man.   I am a pious kohen.   I cannot have a corpse in my house.” It is remarkable the excuses that can be found to avoid doing the right thing!