SEPT 26, ‘25 // bed. As I tucked Yossi in, I held him close to my heart, for one extra-long moment. “My little angel,” I whispered into his ear. He smiled sleepily. “G’night.” Closing the door gently, I tiptoed out. Interesting, isn’t it? I love him fiercely, despite his often impossible behavior. How did this child suddenly turn from terrorist to angel? The famous sculptor Michelangelo, was once asked how he produces his famous angels sculpted from stone. “When I look at a hunk of stone,” he replied “I see an angel trapped in the marble. I then carve the stone around it until I set the angel free.” I opened my Machzor, thoughtful and emotional. The time for Neilah has arrived. My Yossi has an angel, pure and white in his heart. Don’t we all? I just have to work slowly and carefully to set his angel free. Don’t we ask Hashem to do the same for us? Open your doors, before you lock them! Yosef Meshisa was not a loyal Jew. He lived in the era of the Romans, during the terrible time when the second Bais Hamikdosh was destroyed. He was right there standing by, when the Romans captured the Har Habayis and approached the Bais Hamikdosh. The cruel murderous Romans had respect for the holiness of the place. They were afraid to enter. Turning to Yosef Meshisa, they made him an offer he could not refuse: “If you enter the Bais Hamikdosh before us, we will allow you to keep the first treasure you bring out.” Yosef Meshisa went. The Romans feared the sanctity of the place. Yosef did not. He went into the Bais Hamikdosh and brought out the Menorah. It glowed yellow – gold with a life of its own. The Romans looked at each other. “Such a big beautiful golden lamp belongs to the Royal Treasury. It is not for a simple commoner to own. This is ours. Go in once more, and the next thing you’ll bring out, will be yours.” Yosef Meshisa refused. The holiness of the 166
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