Wednesday, September 24, 2008

The Appropriate Baal Tokei’a By Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser

It was during the month of Elul, and Rav Levi Yitzchok was searching for a baal tokei’a for Rosh Hashanah. Yidden from all over flocked to R’ Levi Yitzchok to beg for the zechus to blow shofar for him.

R’ Levi Yitzchok took aside each applicant and asked, “What are your kavanos during the teki’as hashofar?” And each individual enumerated the lofty and holy machshovos to which he would be mechaven.

R’ Levi Yitzchok then approached the simple Yid, bent over a sefer in the corner of the bais hamedrash, who just hadn’t had the courage to even come close to the group of scholars huddled around the Rav. R’ Levi Yitzchok asked, “And what about you?”

The Yid trembled in the gadol’s presence and said, “Rebbi, I am a simple Jew with four daughters to marry, and I don’t even have a penny for a dowry. When it comes time for tekias shofar I will be mechaven ‘Ribono Shel Olam, may the teki’as shofar be according to Your will, and may the Ribono Shel Olam please fulfill my will and send zivugim for my daughters.’”
“You have the proper kavanos; you will be the appropriate ba’al tokei’a for Rosh Hashanah,” Rav Levi Yitzchok exclaimed.

20 comments:

Unknown said...

He who seeks renown loses his reputation

Unknown said...

Jealousy, lust and glory remove a man from the world

Anonymous said...

Do not look at the vessel, but what is contained within it

computer technition said...

Let all your deeds be for the sake of Heaven

computer technition said...

Repent one day before your death

computer technition said...

Acquire a friend for yourself

Anonymous said...

Warm yourself by the fire of the sages

Unknown said...

Do not judge your fellowman until you have reached his place

Unknown said...

Distance yourself from a bad neighbor

Unknown said...

Be among the disciples of Aaron: love peace and pursue peace, love people and bring them closer to the Torah

Anonymous said...

THAT'S so good ! Thank You

Anonymous said...

Full of inspiration

Unknown said...

Do not withdraw yourself from the community

Unknown said...

The bashful person cannot learn

Anonymous said...

The impatient person cannot teach

Anonymous said...

Be meticulous in reading the Shema and in prayer

computer technition said...

Pray for the welfare of the government

computer technition said...

Make your home a center of hospitality

Anonymous said...

Who is rich? One who is happy with his situation

Anonymous said...

Whoever talks excessively brings about sin