My father, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, created this parable:Imagine you are on a subway and suddenly realize that your soul mate, the one you’ve been waiting and praying for your entire life, is standing beside you. You’re full of love and disbelief; you can’t speak.
Then your soul mate is leaving, walking off the train. Frozen, you manage, “What’s your number?” You hear only the first three digits. Then the doors close.
At the next stop, you run to a pay phone, frantically trying every combination of numbers imaginable. Failing that, you drive through the streets, crying, searching. Overwrought, you drive dangerously, running red lights. You are arrested for reckless behavior.
Imprisoned, brokenhearted, and alone, you await your trial. You prepare yourself, terrified of the possible judgment.
As you enter the courtroom, you see the judge you have feared is your soul mate, the very person you’ve been seeking and whose absence created the sadness that made you lose your way. You break down. Your soul mate says the words that change your life.
“I know you’ve made mistakes, but let’s not think about that now. Today, I just want to be close to you.”
On Yom Kippur we stand in judgment before G-d. We beg forgiveness for our mistakes. In Elul, G-d comes to us. If we listen closely we will hear His voice, “I know how hard this world can be. I know you long for meaning and sometimes make mistakes. But now, I just want to be close to you.”
When things fall apart, may we be blessed to hear G-d’s voice.
Neshama Carlebach has been putting her own unique soul and spirit into Jewish music since the age of 5. www.neshamacarlebach.com
