We cannot use Hamas’ lack of humanity as an excuse for our lack of humanity; we cannot blame others for our failure to live up to our moral responsibilities. It is inhumane when we say things like there are no innocent Palestinians or all Muslims are jihadists or there are two million terrorists in Gaza. Al cheyt shechatanu l’fanecha. We have sinned.

The shadow continues.  The pain, and the heartache, do not go away.  We do not really emerge on the other side of the valley.  That is a tantalizing myth.  It is just that over time the walk seems less lengthy.  The shadow appears to no longer to obscure our vision.  It no longer feels like the shadow envelopes every step.  Our walk becomes less strenuous.

We pray despite our reality.  We do not pray to affirm our reality but instead to make our dreams possible.  Our prayers do not mirror our lives or even our views.  They point heavenward and toward our dreams.  We pray for the reality we seek.   We pray for the reality God seeks. 

Maybe the reason why the viddui is said in the plural is to say we want the Jewish people to do better. We so love the Jewish community that we want our family to acknowledge its wrongs and correct its failings.

The Book of Exodus declares, you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the feelings of the stranger, having yourselves been strangers in the land of Egypt.

Affirm argument.  Recite blessings.  The fears won’t go away, but I can promise you this.  “V’ha-ikar lo l’facheid klal.”   The essence will no longer be our fears.  We will have transformed the ikar, the essence, by our blessings and yes, even our arguments.  And then our inner lives will be strong enough to face the turbulent years ahead.