I was wondering what I would post today.   Should I tell you about my friends? Or my close relatives? Or my children and grandchildren?

Or, maybe, since last week was Rosh Chodesh Elul, the Hebrew birthday of my daughter and the anniversary of my mother’s death, plus the fact Elul begins the 40 days of introspection, of preparing ourselves for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kipur, should I  discuss that?

No, instead, since today is MY birthday, I will discuss two other things.

Since I was a very young boy, I loved this one song (a ditty, really)- Im Eyn Ani Li, Mi Li…  These actually are the words from Rav Hillel, one of our esteemed leaders- the one who clearly must have met another famous guy, Jesus of Nazareth, since Jesus’ concept of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is actually that of Hillel. (What exactly did Rav Hillel say? When a ruler demanded he be told the essence of Judaism while standing on one foot- rejoindered, “That which is hateful to you do not do to another; that is the entire Tora, and the rest is its interpretation”.)

These words from Rav Hillel form one of the key phrases of my life…

This covers so much of our lives.  We need to take issues to the fore- but remember that there are others whose considerations must also be included.   And, there is no time like now to get things done.  This is the essence of my being- to make this world a better place, each and every day.

I also want to share my mission statement with you…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be for yourself, but not only for yourself.  And, get things done- now.  No excuses.

Now, get ready for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kipur.  Make those resolutions and resolve to be a better you next year.