Torah Reading: Be'halot'cha

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Your Yom Kippur Package

by Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

I'm driving you anyway... put the package down.

Published: October 4, 2008
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Visitor Comments: 13

(13) Chavi, October 12, 2008 3:43 PM

thank you

This was surely the most significant and meaningful message that I read or heard before Yom Kippur. It was exactly what I needed to hear at this time. Rabbi Salomon, thank you so very much.

(12) Franklin Foster, October 11, 2008 7:50 AM

Time to get closer

We oftimes forget that the true reality that the Omnipotent has, had, and will always have full charge of any and everything we can perceive. One gets wrapped up in this physical life holding the package too tight, and forgetting that life is a brief stopover and that he will still be in charge even when we have gone leaving the package behind. Let us truly repent this Yom Kippur. And thanks to you for the reminder to put the package down.

(11) Hannah, October 9, 2008 7:10 PM

One tear

Thank you so much rabbi. I don't know how others react to fasting but it makes me very sad as well as reflective. This year during the fast one tear trickled down my face. I just sat there and let it fall down my cheek. Yes, you are so right sometimes one forgets to put the package down. Blessings to you and your family in this new year.

(10) Carol, October 9, 2008 11:34 AM

Thank You

I justput the package down. I am happy and joyful Hasheem is with us and he is driving us on our journey and we are not carrying the burdens alone. Bless you for your message.Carol

(9) Sandy, October 8, 2008 10:15 PM

Thank you!

I listen to every 'thought' you publish on Aish and every time they are inspiring, but this one hit home very strongly---I've had several dreams lately in which I am carrying a lot of 'baggage' and some that don't even belong to me! But now I realize that all I have to do is put the packages down....Thank you for this Yom Kippur message.

(8) Mary Elleny, October 8, 2008 7:42 PM

Thank you

What a beautiful reminder of our Almighty loving Creator. Yes, we can all put our packages down.

(7) marc, October 7, 2008 11:52 PM

Thank You

Thanks again for an inspiring message. I will take it with me in my davening on Yom Kippur. G'mar Chasima Tova

(6) Miriam Shoshana, October 7, 2008 8:23 PM

It''s whats in the package

Dear Rabbi Salomon,
As I listened to the seemingly simple and beautiful idea in your message, I unconsciously breathed a great sigh of relief. I realized that I had not been able to ''put down my heavy package'' because of the imaginary contents inside: my sorrow at seeing increasingly well-defined and even vehement devisions between Jews. In my package, I have been carrying enormous sadness and heartfelt prayers that this be changed- that K''lal Yisrael become one people again- People of and through Torah: through love, not the lessons of gossip, through wellness and charity, but please not by harsh decrees: not by illness *or* war *or* destruction of any kind imaginable. I realized that I, too, am guilty, that my angst says that I have forgotten, my own sadness has added weight inside this package, adds to the negativity, as if it were irreversible fact.
No, even this, which seems so obvious to me, is still a package that I can put down, because I am human, and cannot conceive the Vastness, much less the why and how of Hashem. I realized that no matter differing opinions, *or* level of commitment to our Torah of Truth, that Hashem will count our tears and hear our pleas. And, that even a package that seems gigantic, can be just put down.
Thanks, Rabbi.
Miriam Shoshana

(5) Grace, October 7, 2008 6:17 PM

A Partner

Courage and Faith is what is within us. Belief and trust is the reminder. There is God in the Universe. Do not to waste energy. There is help out there.Continue to do good works. Hopefully, God is in the heavens and all will be right in the world.

(4) Barbara, October 7, 2008 2:58 PM

Driving me anyway...

Thank you for the reminder God is driving my life anyway, I can put the packages down.

(3) SusanE, October 6, 2008 11:51 AM

Thank You

Rabbi Salomon, Thank you for making us think about how our heavy loads aren't ours alone to carry. We already are offered all the help we need, and have only to accept it. I appreciate your excellent advice.

(2) Susan, October 5, 2008 6:24 PM

Consolation

Thank you for this lovely, gentle message, R Salomon. I felt calmed, consoled - realised for ages that I am carrying a heavy package and didnt know how to put it down. I will include this concept in my davening. Shana tovah

(1) abe, October 5, 2008 2:02 PM

deep

on the surface i dont really get the connection to teshuva & foriveness, but
i believe your words have much depth
& the concept is dealt with extensively in chassidic literature.

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About the Author

Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

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Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, C.S.W. is a noted psychotherapist, in private practice in Brooklyn, N.Y. for over 25 years. He is a Senior Lecturer and the Creative Director of Aish Hatorah's Discovery Productions. He is also an editor and author for the Artscroll Publishing Series and a member of the Kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath.

Rabbi Salomon is co-author, with Rabbi Noah Weinberg, of the best selling book "What the Angel Taught You; Seven Keys to Life Fulfillment," (Mesorah), and is also the co-producer of the highly-acclaimed film, "Inspired."

Click here to order Yaakov Salomon's new book, Salomon Says: 50 Stirring and Stimulating Stories.

In these marvelous stories -- brimming with wit, understanding, a touch of irony and a large helping of authentic Torah perspective -- we will walk with a renowned and experienced psychotherapist and popular author through the pathways of contemporary life: its crowded sidewalks, its pedestrian malls, and the occasional dead end street. This is a walk through our lives that will be fun, entertaining -- and eye-opening. In our full -- sometimes overfull -- and complex lives, Yaakov Salomon is a welcome and much-needed voice of sanity and reason.

His speaking, writing and musical talents have delighted audiences from Harvard to Broadway and everything in between. Rabbi Salomon shares his life with his wife, Temmy, and their unpredictable family.