The Police Mashal
Around the time of the Yomim Noraim, and even throughout the rest of the year, people constantly condemn us for not feeling the same fear on Yom Kippur as we do when we're pulled over for a ticket, or we see a police car. (Depending on your level of paranoia)A while ago, a cop car was behind me for 5 blocks, which felt like an eternity. Suddenly, my heart was racing, my vision almost blurred, and my judgement impaired. In other words, I was shaking in my pants. So, of course, that ubiquitous Mashal entered my mind.
According to that mashal, I should feel that way all day, every day, knowing that G-d's spirit is with me always. So I condemned myself for not living fearfully, constantly trembling, and nervous. Surely, the same way I wouldn't dream of plugging in my headset and calling a friend at that moment, I'd never come close to a TV, I'd never read a newspaper, I wouldn't talk to anyone out of fear of Lashon Hora. I wouldn't walk in the street lest I see or hear something inappropriate.
Do the Gedolei HaDor seem to live this way? They seem to be at peace. They're not shivering with sweaty palms, and talking fast, and all that stuff.
The difference is, also with G-d, it's Avinu Malkeinu, He is our Father, and our G-d. We have to love Him, and have an awe of Him all the same. L'HAvdil-do I love the police? When they're doing what they should: preventing REAL crimes, protecting citizens from criminals, drug busts, and on Shabbos.
You can't live panicked. Certainly there are people who are more relaxed in the presence of police, which would completely eliminate the use of this Mashal.
Certainly people could say that the Yomim Nora'im are like the 5 blocks. But G-d is everywhere, and there is no human error involved. Like I got a traffic ticket for doing nothing wrong. That doesn't happen in the "real world." If someone was too lazy to Daven, G-d knows it. And if someone did his best to do a Mitzvah, but wasn't successful, G-d knows that too.
So what's the merit in this Mashal?
Labels: Mashal
posted by Michelle @ 10:23 PM
11 comments
