As we approach the Days of Awe a time in which we experience a unique closeness with G-d, we should reflect on how connected we really, how much Hashem is running our lives'.

Some of you may have had the opportunity to take a vacation over the summer with your children or may remember some trip or vacation you took as a child. When you were a child you were only excited about the trip and what you would see and experience. I don't think you were ever concerned or worried, if you could afford it, where would you eat meals. where would you spend the night etc. But you would be leaving your house and everything is up in the air!  The bed and refrigerator are staying and you are going! You should be very concerned how you will live the next week or two. But we all know that children don't have these thoughts, they aren't worried about these details. It is not because they aren't important but because they know their parent's have taken care and arranged everything. Where they will eat and sleep and how they will travel has all be taken care of, they have complete faith in their parents so the vacation is stress free and totally enjoyable.

This is the attitude we need to have as well. Hashem is taking us on the vacation of life, if we have full trust in him we can relax and enjoy the adventure, He hasn't let us down for thousands of years and on a personal level He hasn't let us down either.

This summer we rented a car for a few days, (something we rarely ever do). My kids were so excited just to be in a car (that I was driving) and I learned a deep lesson from my youngest son, Akiva. He was perched up in his car seat and as I began to drive out of the parking lot and navigate the streets of Jerusalem, I looked back to him sitting there with the biggest content smile on his face. He kept saying "Otto Abba" (Hebrew baby speak for "Daddy's Car"). For Akiva it didn't make any difference where he was going, or what we were doing, or how fast we were going, the fact that he knew he was in his "father's car" gave him tremendous joy. From that experience I realized that I too am in my Father"s car, He knows what He is doing and where He is taking me (even if I don't), I should be in sheer joy that I am in His car and have full trust in Him. You should too!

Shabbat Shalom,

 Kasiva V'chasima Tova

Heath