fbpx

A Moment in Time: “Keep Moving Forward”

[additional-authors]
July 18, 2024

”Daddy, how do you keep from falling off the bike?” Eli asked.

”You just keep moving forward,” I responded.

No sooner did the words depart my lips that I realized the depth of his question. Sure, he was asking about the specifics of riding a bike. But the profound nature of his inquiry I find rather eternal.

We all fall down in life. We all lose momentum. And while it’s important to learn from those experiences, the best way to regain our focus is to keep moving forward. It may not be easy. It may seem insurmountable. But there is always an opportunity to nurture a dream.

Whether it’s moving forward with personal goals or building a vision as a team – we harness the wisdom of Rav Nachman of Breslav, who taught: “The whole world is a narrow bridge. Do not allow fear to keep you from moving forward.”

Eli and I shared an awesome moment in time on that bike ride (I did the biking – he did the riding!) And when we wobbled every once in a while – we felt the wind in our faces – and kept moving on!

With love and shalom,

Rabbi Zach Shapiro

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

Are We Dying of a Broken Heart?

Whatever the future holds, we must remember, especially during Hanukkah, that miracles are part and parcel of our history—and will continue to be. We cannot let our sadness overwhelm us.

Of Doughnuts and Dreidels

This week Rachel and I are thrilled to share our column with our friend Rinat to tell us about a unique Hanukkah tradition involving women. 

Not Your Bubbe’s Latkes

Whether you switch up your latke ingredients, toppings or both, you can have lots of oily goodness without getting bored.

A 1944 Hanukkah Message to America

Eighty-one years ago, while America was at war and millions of Jews were being slaughtered, the rabbi of the Washington Hebrew Congregation delivered a Hanukkah message that resonates to this day.

Rosner’s Domain | The Psychology of Accepting Reality

Israelis expected the war would end when Hamas is eradicated. They now have to face a different reality. After two years of blood, sweat and many tears, the enemy is still out there, lurking in the dark, waiting to fight another day.

A Prophet among the Rhinos

In this selection of essays, op-eds and speeches, the first piece written six months after his son’s murder, Pearl gives us words that are, yes, sometimes heartbreaking, but also funny, profound, scrappy, informative and strikingly prescient.

As We Wrestle

My hope is that we, too, embrace the kind of wrestling that leads to blessing.

Time of Hope

It is truly in darkness, the night which starts the Jewish day, that we come to face our fears and uncertainties, to find the glow of light that reignites faith, hope and possibility.

Choosing Good Over Evil

The conclusion of 2025 is an excellent occasion to step back and reflect on our failings.

Jews Aiming for White House

Rahm Emanuel is one of four Jewish political leaders seriously considering a run for the Democratic presidential nomination, at a time when antizionism is growing and antisemitism is coagulating.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.