 |
Readers of The Jewish Press have been enjoying these stories for over 40 years and it is our privilege to share them with children of all ages. |
|
The Miracles of Birth Rabbi Yohanan said: "What is the meaning of the sentence in Scriptures, 'He does wonders that are immeasurable and miracles that are incomprehensible?' This refers to the miracle of the birth of a child." Before a child is conceived, G-d summons the Angel of Birth and He notifies him that a new life is about to be created. The angel then appears with this spark of life before G-d and asks Him, what sort of person will it be? G-d then decrees if the person will be strong or weak, tall or short, male or female, wise or foolish, rich or poor. But if he will be good or bad, He does not decree, for that choice alone is given to man. G-d then motions to the Angel of Souls to bring forth soul so-and-so; which has been created at the beginning of time. All souls of every future generation had been created when G-d made the world, and they reside in Paradise awaiting their summons at their ordained time. G-d Commands The Soul The soul approaches G-d and bows humbly before Him. G-d then commands the soul to enter this new spark of life, which will develop, into the body of a human being. But the soul hesitates and says: "O Mighty G-d! Please don’t force me to enter into such an odorous and decayed mortal. I am holy and pure, having been created by Your Holiness." But G-d answers the soul, "The world which you are about to enter is a good world and I only created you for the purpose of entering the mortal body." G-d then forces the soul into this spark of life, and he assigns two angels to guard it. A candle is lit near its head and it studies all the knowledge of the world. It is also able to see all that transpires from the beginning of the world to its end. The angel then takes the Soul on a tour of Paradise He points out the holy tzaddikim who are seated in all their glory, adorned with halos and enjoying the spirit of G-d. "Do you know who these people are?" the Angel asks. "No," answers the soul. "These people were similar to you before they were born. They entered the world that you are about to see; they observed all the mitzvos of the Torah, were kind and good and led an exemplary life. If you will follow their example, you too, will dwell in this paradise." That night he shows the spirit the dwelling of Gehennom where the evil souls are punished. The soul shudders and trembles at the hideous sight it witnesses. "These are the people who were evil in the world," the angel explains. "Avoid their path and you will reap the benefits of Paradise." The angel then shows the soul where it will dwell in this world, where it will die and where it will be buried. The Soul Rebels When the time comes for it to be born and enter this world, the soul rebels and exclaims, "I don't want to leave my comfortable dwelling!" But the angel admonishes the soul and says: "Know my child, that you are created against your will; you are born against your will; you will die against your will and will have to give reckoning on the Day of Judgment, against your will." The angel then forces the soul out into the world. As it is born the angel strikes the child under its nostril and the child forgets everything it was taught. The child cries when it is born, because it has just left a beautiful world of calm and peace. The Seven Stages of Life The person undergoes seven stages in his life. The first years he is compared to a king. Everyone loves him, he is kissed and hugged, and they make a fuss over him. The next few years is compared to a pig. He is filthy and wallows in dirt and mud. When he reaches seven years of age, he is compared to a goat. He is always prancing and jumping around. When the child enters his teen years he is compared to a horse. He is frisky, haughty and proud. His fifth stage of life starts when he is 18 years of age. He is then compared to a mule. A halter and lead is placed over him. He takes a wife and he has to work and slave to support a family. In the sixth stage of life he is compared to a dog that has to continually seek food for his hungry brood. He loses all sense of shame when it comes to supporting his growing family. He may become senile in his last stage of life. His main role in life has now become to play with children. People just tolerate him. Time To Depart When his time comes to depart from this world, the Angel appears before him and asks, "Do you recognize me?" The soul replies, "Yes, I know you. Why do you come to me today?" "I have come to take you out of this world. You have completed your allotted span of life." The soul begins to cry and is heard all over the world, but normal human beings whose senses are not attuned to this sphere cannot hear it. "You've already taken me out of one world to place me into this world," the soul cries. "Must you continuously bother me?" The Angel replies, "I have told you once before that you are created against your will; you are born against your will; you will die against your will and you will have to stand trial on judgment day against your will. Today is the day you will die. Come with me to stand trial.” And the soul rejoices as it journeys back to home to rest with its Creator.
  Designed by R.A. Stone Design Associate and HI-TECH Computers, Inc. (718) 253-9698 Email address.....info@hitechcomputers.com Page last updated - 06/26/2009 |
||||||||
