We often imagine them rising up, floating on wings of hope and sincerity. But what if something—or someone—tried to block them?
That’s precisely what happened, according to a fascinating story, with King Manasseh. The Second Book of Chronicles tells us Manasseh was, shall we say, not a great guy. He "wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord" (2 Chron. 33:6). But his story takes a dramatic turn. When he was captured and taken to Babylon in chains, he had a change of heart. He humbled himself and prayed.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The angels, seeing Manasseh's past wickedness, weren’t exactly thrilled. They went and closed the arubot hashamayim, the windows of heaven, so that his prayers couldn't reach God. Can you imagine? A celestial blockade!
But God, in His infinite wisdom and compassion, wasn’t having it. He said, in essence, "If I don't accept Manasseh's repentance, I'm closing the door on repentance for everyone." Think about the weight of that statement! It highlights the profound importance of teshuvah, repentance, in Jewish thought.
So, what did God do? This is where the imagery becomes truly striking. He made an opening—a kind of divine loophole—through the heavens, under His Throne of Glory. He heard Manasseh's plea, accepted his repentance, and, in a miraculous act, brought him back to Jerusalem. The story is found in Y. Sanhedrin 10:2.
This myth, as Rabbi Arthur Green explores in Tree of Souls, really emphasizes the power of repentance, even for those who've made terrible mistakes. It reminds us that no matter how far we stray, the path back is always open.
It also reminds us of another story, this one about Cain. According to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, Adam met Cain years after Cain's punishment for killing Abel. Adam asked Cain how his case went. Cain responded that he repented and was reconciled with God. Adam, upon hearing this, was shocked. He cried out, "So great is the power of repentance, and I did not know!" and immediately began to praise God. We find this story in Genesis Rabbah 22:13.
Both Manasseh and Cain's stories illustrate a fundamental truth: repentance isn't just about saying sorry; it's about transformation and reconciliation. It's about opening ourselves to the possibility of change, even when we feel unworthy. It is a good thing to make confession unto the Lord.
So, the next time you offer a prayer, remember the story of Manasseh and the windows of heaven. Remember that even when obstacles seem insurmountable, there's always a way through, a path to redemption. Because ultimately, the power of repentance can create openings even where we thought none existed.