This true story is brought to you in light of its powerful connection with the main theme of this month of Elul, when we are informed that G-d, our King, is 'in the field' during which his 13 attributes of divine mercy shine openly and are available to us all as explained in Kabbalah and Chassidic doctrine. G-d is right now eagerly awaiting for us all to seize the moment by reaching out to him and to approach him through sincere Teshuva (Repentance) along with our requests for mercy ahead of the high holidays.
Years ago Berel Gartner shared one of the most remarkable stories ever told on BBC radio. His own. Berel Gartner was just 12 years old right before World War II broke out, and he was one of the children who left Germany through the Kindertransport. He arrived in England and was taken to an orphanage. He spent most of his days constantly crying and asking his caregivers when he would see his parents again. As hard as they tried to make him happy, he would not be consoled.
One day, Berel's caregivers found out that King George VI would be passing through their village, as he frequently did during the early years of his reign. His headmaster entered in a state of excitement and proclaimed that King George VI was coming. All the children were ordered to their room to put on their best shorts and scrub their faces and knees in preparation for their meeting with the king.
When they told Berel that they would be seeing the king pass by that day, it was the first time in weeks that he stopped crying. Little did they realise why. Berel had a secret plan.
Berel along with all the other Jewish children were taken to the town square and stood behind a barricade as they waited for the king to pass by.
Along with all the other residents of the street, the school children waited with a great sense of anticipation. As the royal carriage came closer, Berel jumped the barricade and ran with all of his might towards the king's carriage. As soon as the royal guards saw him, they grabbed him and carried him back to the barricade. Berel started to cry and scream out loud, begging: “I must speak to the King!”. The king asked his guards what the commotion was all about. When they told him about the boy who ran towards his carriage, he became curious and he invited Berel to approach him.
The king asked Berel, “Why did you run towards the carriage? Is there something you would like to tell me?” Berel broke down crying and told the king how much he missed his parents who were still back in Germany. He then wiped the tears and said, “Please. Please help bring my parents here.”
King George responded, “Young boy, we are at war with Germany. It would be impossible for me to do that.”
“But you're the king of England!” Berel cried. “You can do anything! Please bring my parents to me.”
The king looked at the boy with compassion and said, “Please don't cry. I promise I will do what I can to try and make it happen.”
Berel gave the king his parents' names and the town where they lived and thanked him, unsure of what to expect.
The boy was sure he would be severely punished for his actions but surprisingly the school did not make anything of the incident. Until a few weeks later the headmaster summoned the boy to his office, to which the boy was sure he was to be reprimanded. The headmaster wished to talk to him about the incident that had taken place but instead of punishment he explained that the boy had made quite an impression upon the king. So much so in fact that King George had decided to send him a gift.
With that the headmaster opened the side door to the office and standing there waiting were the boy's parents! Berel ran and fell into his parents open arms and cried uncontrollable tears of joy and relief over being reunited!
A colleague of Berel who once recounted his story, said that for the past 60 years he had asked himself, "why did I just stand there watching like everyone else? Why did I not seize the moment and chase the king? Maybe if I had, I too might have seen my parents again and not have lost them to the gas chambers..."
Our sages teach us that in the days leading up to Rosh Hashanah from the beginning of Elul, the Almighty leaves his palace and roams throughout the villages and fields to be closer to His subjects. It is a time when his thirteen attributes of divine mercy are openly revealed. It is our chance to jump the barricade and come closer to the King. It's the time we can pour out our heart and ask Him for anything.
These days, take advantage of this special time to experience the Almighty's closeness. Clarify the goals you deeply yearn to accomplish during this coming year, and beseech Hashem to invest in you a year of tremendous blessings and joy.
Adapted from several online sources each having slight variations but with all important details essentially consistent with each other.
