Hi,

Hope you’re having a great day.

…  It’s an ancient Jewish tradition.

When a prayer book, a siddur, falls to the ground?

We pick it up and kiss it.

It’s a show of love and reverence.

And it expresses something deeper.

That the siddur is a beloved companion.

Jews have always turned to the prayer book for inspiration.  For strength.  And for guidance.

… I’ve seen it done many times.  I do it myself.

It’s especially precious when you see a child trained to do it.

But last Shabbat was a first for me.

I saw a father walking with a little kid.  Maybe three years old.

The kid was carrying a prayer book and it fell out of his hands.

He picked it up and his father said, “Give it a kiss!”

It was adorable to watch that kiss!

But it was an amazing experience.

Because the father didn’t say it in English…

He said it in Russian!

And that’s a miracle.  And a testimony to the Jewish spirit.

The mighty Russian Empire spent seventy years trying to destroy Judaism.

Then their empire fell.

Last Shabbat a siddur fell.

And a little Russian speaking kid picked it up and kissed it!

That little Russian kid should inspire us all.

To get to know the prayer book that he kissed.

And to make our Rosh Hashana more meaningful!

…If you or someone you know is a Young Jewish Professional?

Time is running out to register for the CTN Rosh Hashana User Friendly Prayer Service.

I will help you make this your most meaningful Rosh Hashana ever!

All the best and Shana Tova,