For the morning!
הָפַ֣כְתָּ מִסְפְּדִי֮ לְמָח֢וֹל לִ֥֫י פִּתַּ֥חְתָּ שַׂקִּ֑י וַֽתְּאַזְּרֵ֥נִי שִׂמְחָֽה׃ לְמַ֤עַן ׀ יְזַמֶּרְךָ֣ כָ֭בוֹד וְלֹ֣א יִדֹּ֑ם יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱ֝לֹהַ֗י לְעוֹלָ֥ם אוֹדֶֽךָּ׃
You loosened my sackcloth and girded me with joy. So that my soul will sing praises to You and not be silent. O L-rd, my G-d, I will thank You forever.
Psalm 30:12-13
The prophet Micah called on us to “walk modestly with your G-d” – I’ve failed in that for my entire life, and I still have trouble with it. Where did I get the idea that I’m always right? I can’t seem to shake it.
Maybe this is it: Jews are called upon to hold two thoughts simultaneously. First, the whole universe was created just for me. Second, I am dust. So, I am both the most significant and least significant thing in the world. That might be confusing to some folks, but not for me. My whole being is defined by a different contradiction.
On the one hand, the Almighty has bestowed upon me a once-in-a-generation intellect – think of Maimonides, Rashi, and Einstein all rolled into one – only smarter.
At the same time, in the Almighty’s infinite wisdom, I am completely scatterbrained – a total space cadet. I am blessed with oceans and oceans of unused potential. The Almighty has a keen sense of humor.
I’ve heard that you’re supposed to have an idea about the ending before starting to write. Can’t do anything with that. These are just some random jottings. Hopefully, I’ll make sense.