What was the story of Ketiah bar Shalom?  There was a Caesar who hated the Jews. He asked the dignitaries of his kingdom:  “If a wart [a reference to the Jews] develops on someone’s foot, should he cut it off and be healed or leave it and suffer?”

They responded:  “He should cut it off and be healed.”

Ketiah bar Shalom said to them:  “First of all, you will not be able to wipe them out….  Furthermore, you will be called the ruler of a severed kingdom [if you succeed].”

The Caesar said to Ketiah:  “You have spoken well.  However, whoever prevails against the king [in argument] is thrown into a chamber of dirt.”

Why does the king punish Ketiah?  Can we apply this aggada/rabbinic story to our lives?  How many times in our lives do we shut someone down or out because they have pointed out we have erred?  We often compensate with aggressive behavior toward the person to whom we confess. 

As we approach Yom Kippur we should use this time as an opportunity both to admit wrongs and to avoid not adding a layer of anger directed at the person who is trying to help us grow.