We are granted these days to reach out to others, to repair what we have done wrong, to ask forgiveness from those we have caused pain.  We remind ourselves that no one is perfect.  Everyone has made mistakes.  Each of us has lost our way during the past year.   All of us are lost wanderers who need others to help us find the way.

God leaves the world unfinished. God leaves it to us to repair.  God knows that our hearts can only be shaped by our hands.  God leaves it to us to shape a more just world.  The power to do so rests in our hands.

Stop chasing after things.   Look in the rearview mirror.  Look all around you. All the sustenance you require is sitting there right before you. 

The Talmud teaches that parents must teach their children to swim.  Why?  Because their lives might depend on it.

Israel’s existence is unshakeable.  It is a privilege to be here and visit Jerusalem on a regular basis.  I belong to a blessed Jewish generation.  Here we are writing a new Jewish story in our ancient land.  I must contribute to this story.    

Prayers can serve as our refuge. We can escape to them.  No matter a person’s faith one can always find shelter and protection by loving God.  One can always find refuge in the words of our prayers.