Jewish Tales and Parables: Tales of Tears

The Baal Shem Tov, Keter Shem Tov, 194
A King had an a son, an only child. The King wanted his son to learn and to experience various cultures, so he sent him to a far-off country, supplied with a generous quantity of silver and gold. Far away from home, the son squandered all the money until he was left completely destitute. In his distress he resolved to return to his father's house and after much difficulty, he managed to arrive at the gate of the courtyard to his father's palace.
He had forgotten the language of his native country, and he was unable to identify himself to the guards. In utter despair he began to cry out in a loud voice, and the King, who recognized the voice of his son, went out to him and brought him into the house, kissing him and hugging him.
The meaning of the parable: The King is God. The prince is the Jewish people, who are called "Children of God" (Deuteronomy 14:1). The King sends a soul down to this world in order to fulfill the Torah and mitzvot. However, the soul becomes very distant and forgets everything to which it was accustomed to above, and in its exile it forgets even its own "language." So it utters a simple cry to God in Heaven. This is the blowing of the shofar, a cry from deep within, expressing regret for the past and determination for the future. This cry elicits God’s mercies, and God demonstrates God's abiding affection for God's children and God forgives them.

The Axe
Once the Baal Shem had his disciple Rabbi Wolf Kitzes learn the kavvanot of blowing the ram’s horn, so that, on New Year’s Day, he might announce before him the order of the sounds. Rabbi Wolf learned the kavvanot but, for greater security, noted everything down on a slip of paper which he hid in his bosom. This paper, however, dropped out soon after and he never noticed it. They say that this was the work of the Baal Shem. Now when it was time to blow, Rabbi Wolf looked for his slip in vain. Then he tried to remember the kavvanot, but he had forgotten everything. Tears rose to his eyes, and weeping, he announced the order of sounds quite simply without referring to the kavvanot at all. Later the Baal Shem said to him: “There are many halls in the king’s palace, and intricate keys open the doors, but the axe is stronger than all of these, and no bolt can withstand it. What are all kavvanot compared to one really heartfelt grief!”

The Woman Who Cried
The rabbi of Berditchev told the following: “Once, just before New Year’s Day, a woman came to me and cried and cried. I asked her, ‘Why are you crying? Why are you crying?’ She said: ‘Why shouldn’t I cry? My head hurts! My head hurts!’ Said I to her: ‘Don’t cry. If you cry, your head will only hurt more.’ She answered: ‘Why shouldn’t I cry? Why shouldn’t I cry? I have an only son, and now this holy and awful day is coming, and I don’t know whether my son will pass when God makes judgment.’ Said I to her: ‘Don’t cry! Don’t cry! He will surely pass when God makes judgment, for look, it is written: Is not Ephraim a precious son unto Me? Is he a child of delight? For as often as I speak against him, I do earnestly remember him still. Therefore my heart yearneth for him. I will surely have compassion upon him, saith the Lord.’ ” This incident the rabbi of Berditchev used to relate in a curious singing tone, and in the same tone the hasidim still tell it today.