By Rabbi Dovid Markel
In the Ne-ilah prayers on the Day of Atonement, we paraphrase the Talmudic (Berachot 29b) statement: “The needs of Your people Israel are many and their mind is small.”
The first Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, explains that the reason that their needs are many is due to the fact that their mind is small.[1]
Were the Jewish people to have open minds, they’d realize that their essential wish is to be one with G-d.
This can be likened to a peasant who is brought before a king and granted whatever wish he requests. However, due to his shortsightedness, instead of requesting great power and wealth, he asks that the king thatch his roof.
The same can be said for us: On Yom Kippur we have the chance to have an audience before the King, King of Kings, and beseech our case.
It is important to realize what is truly important – that we reveal the deep connection that we have with Him, and that He finally end this bitter exile!
[1] Torah Ohr, VaYishlach 26c.
