As we prepare for Rosh Hashana it is a time for us to reflect and come together as a nation. With our unity we can pray for the revelation of G-d's Presence and His Kingship which is the basis of our prayers on these holy days.

It is important to think how we can be more sensitive to one another and foster those bonds of unity.

There is a fascinating story which highlights this kind of sensitivity.

Two men met one time on the street and the younger man asked the older man if he remembered him. He didn't, so the younger man explained that he was a former student of the elderly man. The young man continued by telling the older man that he was inspired to become a teacher because of him. When the teacher asked the student how is it that I inspired you he began to recount a story that took place in the teachers class years ago:

One day one of the boys in class came with a brand new gold watch. He showed everyone the watch and I was very jealous. When nobody was looking I stole the watch and put it in my pocket. When you came into the classroom and the boy complained that his watch was stolen you announced that whoever stole the watch should return it. Obviously nobody stepped forward. You then locked the door and told all of the boys to line up and you were going to check their pockets one by one. I knew this was it. I would be embarrassed tremendously and would be forever branded as a thief. I was devastated at what was going to transpire. You told all of the boys to close their eyes and you went one by one checking their pockets. When you reached me you felt the watch and took it out. You continued to search the rest of the boys and then returned the watch to the boy who it was stolen from. You never mentioned a word to me about it and you saved me from embarrassment which would have crushed me.

He turned to the teacher and said now do you remember me? The teacher responded "no, I don't". The student didn't understand, this was obviously a dramatic scene that played out and he couldn't believe the teacher didn't remember. The teacher turned to the bewildered student and explained "my eyes were closed the entire time too".

Shabbat Shalom

Shana Tova

Chasiva Vchasima Tova

Heath