Yom Kippur 5771
Traditionally the Book of Jonah is read during Yom Kippur services. It is a story that tells of sin, remorse, penance and forgiveness. Most of us are familiar with the story, so I will summarizes.
G_d calls on Jonah to travel to the city of Nineveh and tell the people that their evil ways have been seen by the Lord. Instead of accepting G_d’s task Jonah jumps aboard a ship heading in the opposite direction. A great storm is cast upon the seas and the sailors fearing G_d confront Jonah. Jonah admits his fault and agrees to be thrown overboard where he is swallowed by a great fish. After 3 days, Jonah appeals to G_d for forgiveness. Jonah is released from the belly of this fish and again told to go to the great city. He walks three days to Nineveh and upon entering proclaims, “In another forty days Nineveh shall be overturned!” The people of Nineveh immediately begin to repent and change their ways. G_d sees the people repent for their evil ways and does not destroy the city. Jonah is very unhappy.
There are two miracles of repentance in the story, first Jonah and then the people of Nineveh. But one may wonder why only Jonah could take on this task. Could not G_d have sent another person to warn the people? Where there not other good Hebrews who would have readily accepted the command?
Jonah must have been very persuasive even if he was not enthusiastic. In the text he does not go around preaching or repeating his message. He enters the city proclaims his message and immediately the people fear G_d and begin to beg forgiveness and change their evil ways. When the Nineveh’s King hears the warning, he also immediately springs into action, removing his royal robes and “covering himself in sackcloth.” This seems to be an amazing miracle and turn of events.
Let us compare Jonah’s ability to persuade against the most famous of prophets, Moses. Moses has to return 10 times with 10 plagues to convince the Pharaoh to let the Hebrews go. Even the Hebrew people are not initially sold on the idea, becoming angry when the burden of building becomes even harsher.
But Jonah only needs to tell the people of Nineveh once to fear god and change their evil behavior and they immediately respond.
It is clear that G_d wanted to save Nineveh. Jonah was the right person at the right time. Only he could accomplish this task and only he could accept G_d’s will.
Sometimes, we are reluctant to accept our roles, even when we are exactly the right person at the right time. We are presented with choices every day. The choice may seem a small thing. I could take out the garbage can when dad forgot on collection day. I could close the window when it begins to rain even though I am not the one who left the window open. I could pick up the trash in my neighbor’s yard, thrown there by another. I could volunteer in my community, although I will not directly benefit. I could double check the quality of my co-worker’s report, although I was not assigned to the project.
If we act on these choices, we may not receive public recognition. But just like Jonah, you may be just the right person at the right time to make things better for your life, your family, your community, your school or place of employment.
As the people of Nineveh, we are here today to ask for forgiveness and repent our sins. The sins of theft, greed, dishonesty and gossip are easily recognized by both the victim and the sinner. But the sin of not acting is more subtle. The victim may never know that you could have closed that window or corrected that report before the mistake caused serious damage. Even the sinner can avoid recognizing the sin, telling themselves, “It’s not my responsibility”.
So I ask you today, as you ask for forgiveness, to also pray for the strength and courage to recognize and act upon those times when you are just the right person at the right time.
May you be written in the book of life, Shalom.