The auspicious day of Yom Kippur was imminent. Before Yom Kippur it is traditional for men to immerse themselves in the mikva several times.

One fellow, obviously unaccustomed to going to the mikva with others around, drew attention to himself. As he prepared to enter the water, the other men saw that he was trying to conceal something on his arm. Just before he reached the water, he slipped and lost his balance. Trying to catch his fall, he let his hand off his arm, revealing a lewd tattoo.

Completely ashamed, he stood frozen in his spot. Everyone was at a loss for words to comfort him until an old man said, “Look here, my boy, I also have a tattoo.” He pointed to the row of numbers etched in his skin. “This is in case I forget what those monsters had planned for me… It seems we’ve both come a long way.”

Comment:

It’s not where we are coming from, but where we are going that matters. Furthermore, all Jews can connect with one another, despite outward differences. In essence, all Jews are one, and by searching, we can reveal this inner bond.

 “‘Teshuva’ is returning to our source.
We may cross a bridge and feel accomplished,
yet realize that a new, higher bridge lies ahead.
Once that is successfully crossed,
an even higher bridge awaits…”