As Yom Kippur draws to its close, I often feel myself shifting roles—from spiritual leader to coach—guiding the “team” through the final inning, the last round. We’re all tired. Weeks of preparation, two days of Rosh Hashanah, the deep solemnity of Kol Nidrei, and now a full day of fasting have left everyone—myself included—exhausted.

Have you experienced loss? Has a part of you been taken out never to be returned? You're not alone. The prayer of comfort we offer in the Shiva home begins with a reference to G-d as Hamakom - The Place.

As a People we've been victims of hatred, murder, rape, destruction.  This Sunday we commemorate the event that spawned the current exile of close to 2000 years where acts against us have been non stop.

This Shabbos is Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av the first day of the new Jewish calendar month.  It also marks the beginning of the period known as the 9 Days, culminating on the 9th day known as Tisha B'Av, commemorating the destruction of Jerusalem and the two Temples.

Talk is cheap, although it seems to come at a big price these days. But really, anyone with an opinion articulates it without fear. That is in part because today everyone feels that speaking your mind is ok no matter the context, language or opinion.