Timeless Torah

The Rabbi stood before the congregation, leading it in prayer. As Israel's messenger to the Heavenly Throne, his voice was like a pathway, broad and unbroken, bearing the hopes of his people.
Suddenly there was a dreadful pause. Upon reading the words in the service, “To Him that buys His slaves in the day of Judgment," his voice broke down.
Anxiety gripped the congregants. Only when the Rabbi took up the text once again, did the congregation breathe a collective sigh of relief.
Later that afternoon, the Rabbi explained to the curious worshippers. “After all these years of reciting this sentence, it dawned upon me that its meaning escaped me. Why would G-d buy slaves he already owns? Heaven decided to grant me a vision of its intent so I could continue. Here is what I saw.
“It's Rosh Hashana and I am standing in the chamber of the heavenly court. There are two pathways, one leading to paradise, the other to the labyrinths of hell. The counsel for defense enters, carrying under his arms mankind’s good deeds for the past year. Alas, a small sheaf! From the other side, two demons stagger in under the load of a heavy bundle. ‘This is only a tithe of the harvest,’ they call out wickedly. ‘More is still coming.’
“Among the observers is Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev, Chassidic master, lover, and defender of all Jews. He can't allow his brethren to suffer. So as the demons leave, he grabs the first bundle and flings it straight into the flames of hell where they disintegrate. Again and again he acts thus until the Devil himself enters. ‘Stop that thief!’ cries the Devil. ‘Justice! I demand justice! Since the Rabbi can't return what he stole, let him fulfill the Biblical sentence of being sold for his theft at a public auction. And no matter what it costs, his soul will be mine.’
“This being the law, there is no appeal. And so the auction begins in earnest. First the Patriarch Abraham offers his mitzvah of bringing Isaac as a sacrifice as payment. The Devil counters with a thousand sins long forgotten. As each saint displays his merit, the Devil throws a corresponding sin. The righteous have exhausted their stocks and the scales stand level when the Devil takes the crown off his head and places it on the scale.
“A vindictive grin spreads over the Devil’s mouth. What a catch! “This way please,’ the Devil laughs.
Suddenly, a voice rings out. “I BUY HIM. Mine is the universe. I give it all for this soul. Who can outbid ME?'”
On Rosh Hashana, the first man was created. An entire universe for one human being. G-d does this not only for Adam, but every Rosh Hashana He does it for each of us. What are we worth? To G-d, everything!