Thus, in my remarks to my congregation this Yom Kippur, based on this Gemara and Rabban Gamliel’s view, I sought to explain that the sinners – the chelbana – the galbanum that we include in our fast and prayer service are compared to those Jews who unfortunately are prevented from joining us because they are tinok she’nishba – that is, they are ignorant of our Torah.
Our situation is analogous to the following scenario: Two people are in a small watercraft and one of them starts drilling a hole under his seat. The other person screams at him, “What are you doing?” He responds, “None of your business. I am only drilling on my side!” His astonished fellow retorts, “Fool! Through your action you will cause us both to sink and drown.”
My friends, we are all in one boat, dependent on each other. No man or woman is an island unto him/herself.
(To be continued)
