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A Moment in Time: Retracing Your Steps

[additional-authors]
February 11, 2021

Dear all,

On a recent walk (yes, we are taking frequent walks during the pandemic!) we arrived at the park 2 miles away minus one of Eli’s shoe! Frustrated, we turned around and retraced our steps. My hopes that the shoe was nearby were erased with each step back toward home.

We finally spotted the shoe at the top of the highest hill along the way (which was within arm’s reach of home). Go figure!

But I was not discouraged. As annoying as it was, with each step came opportunity to reflect. And I asked many questions along the way regarding looking back at my life:

1) What am I most proud of?
2) Who were the people who inspired me?
3) Why did I chose my career path?
4) When did I last call a family member?
5) Where am I now?

Judaism teaches that we should be in a state of internal review each day.

And so … Retracing our steps is not only about finding something we lost. It’s also about creating a moment in time to find ourselves.

With love and shalom,

Rabbi Zach Shapiro

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