Three years later we need to be stronger than blaming our adversaries for all our miseries.  We need to look back at what went wrong.  We need to look within at where we erred and what we continue to do wrong.  Admitting failure does not make us weaker.  It makes us stronger. 

Mistakes are a given.  Assigning blame, shirking responsibility need not be.  We should not ask ourselves, who can I blame but instead what did I do wrong, how can I make amends?

Our first priority is to rejoice.  Judaism commands us to celebrate.  It insists that we cannot rejoice alone.  We are uplifted by our community.  Our hearts rejoice in the swirl of people dancing around us.  A wedding can only become a simcha with others. 

How do you celebrate sukkot in the pouring rain? The Talmud answers, “Go inside!” It is a joy to be Jewish!

Healing begins by forgiving yourself. It is aided by friends and supported by community. And healing is magnified by gratitude.

The tradition teaches Ahavat Yisrael—love of the Jewish people.  These days love is what is demanded of us.  We must not allow our disagreements to create divisions.  Our tradition loves disagreements.  It rejects divisions.