Jonah and Snow White: Why are you Sleeping?
The reading of the story of Jonah is one of the highlights of the Yom Kippur service. The story in short: Jonah was sent by G-d to the City of Ninvey to ask them to repent. G-d was going to destroy the entire population if they refused to return.
Jonah avoided G-d's call and tried to run away from him. Jonah then went onto a ship to sail away from G-d's instructions. However, a storm broke out. The captain came to Jonah during the storm and said, "why are you sleeping?" The sailors decided to draw lots in order to determine who was causing the storm. The lot fell on Jonah. Jonah was then tossed overboard and was swallowed by a large fish. After all this had occurred, he realized "you can't hide from G-d." Jonah then went to the city of Ninvey, and the people repented. The city was saved.
Rabbi Meir of Pumishlan once asked, "why do we read the story of Jonah on Yom Kippur?" One may expound on the Rabbi's question: Yom Kippur is a holyday of repentance for Jews; yet we read about Ninvey, how a non-Jewish city repented.
The Zohar answers this question: Jonah represents the neshama (soul). The neshama descends into the ship-the body, which then must sail through the turbulent waters of society and the difficulties and stress of the world around us. The soul (Jonah) falls asleep and forgets its mission in this world. This mission is to be a light unto the nations of the world by following the mandate: to study Torah, to pray, and to perform acts of goodness and loving kindness, and teach the nations the Seven Laws of Noah.
The captain-G-d-on the day of Yom Kippur, shakes us on the shoulders and then asks, "Why are you sleeping? Today is Yom Kippur. Wake up! Empower yourself, fix your mistakes of the past and make positive resolutions for the upcoming year. This is why we read Jonah on Yom Kippur.
In light of the above, we can appreciate a deeper meaning to the famous fairy tale, Snow White:
Snow White could represent the neshama. When the neshama starts out, it is then as white and pure as the freshly fallen snow-free from sin or impurity. Snow White then eats from the red apple and falls into a slumber. The red apple represents the forbidden fruit, which offers many temptations. The soul (Snow White) partakes of life's pleasures and falls into a slumber-it forgets the mission, its obligations to G-d, the Jewish people, and humankind.
The handsome prince then kisses the princess and she awakens. Our rabbis explain a kiss is the study of Torah that one utters with the breath of his lips. The torah gives us stamina and is the antidote to the temptations and pleasures of the red apple (world).
It is on Yom Kippur that G-d gives us a special awakening by saying, "Why are you sleeping?"
My dear friends, each one of us has a neshama-this G-dly spark can never be extinguished, no matter how far removed one may be or how many sins one may have committed. It is never too late to return. Both Jonah and Snow White, who were sleeping in the slumber of life, awoke to fulfill their missions.
Rambam tells us one good deed, even one good thought, can bring the world to salvation. May we celebrate this Yom Kippur in the third Holy Temple. All we need to do is wake up!
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Ever since I was a child I was amazed by the mysteries
of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This led me to research
and write my first book, Letters of Light. The following exploration
will G-d willing become part of a sequel to Letters of Light.
It delves into the profound spiritual lessons found in the letters
of the weekly Torah portion. I hope you will find it as exciting
and instructive as I do.
Rabbi Raskin |
Rabbi Raskin invites you to his class for exciting discussions on Torah, spirituality and the modern world. Every Monday evening, 8:00-9:00.
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Monday nights 8:00-9:00 pm Just go to www.paltalk.com and download their chat program for free. You will need to create a nickname for yourself and a password. Once you’re in, just click on “Rooms”, then look for “Religion & Spirituality”, click on it to see the list and find “Judaism.” Enter “Judaism” and look for our room, titled “Monday Night Lecture with Rabbi Raskin” (you can then add to favorites for a one-click visit next time). If you need extra assistance, contact 718-596-4840 x18 or email ravraskin@aol.com during office hours (10:00 am-3:00 pm). If you need help navigating the chat rooms once you’re online, go to “add pal,” add the nick “tiziri20023” and send her an instant message explaining the problem. |
He also offers a special class for women only on the Weekly Parsha, Wednesdays at 9:15am.
