A Link in the Chain

Today I witnessed something beautiful. I, along with my daughters, Mom and mother in law watched my son carry out an age old tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation, grandfather to father, and father to son. A man who saw the treachery that was the holocaust, who lost his first wife and son and had the strength to start anew, and passed the tradition along to his son, my father in law, who was an only child. My son, who carries his great grandfather's name and his legacy, now carries his tefillin and all that comes with it. Today I witnessed a commitment to HaShem, as my son wrapped the shema around his body, reminding him as he begins his journey as a man that HaShem is always above him, watching and protecting him as he did his great grandfather. And now it is my son's turn to make something of this legacy, to live his life as a proud Jew and never forget who he is , where he came from, how he got here and what was sacrificed in the past for his right to exist. It is his job to now carry that awesome responsibility and hopefully one day teach his son the same.

Today I witnessed something beautiful. Without lights and fanfare , without jewels, but more precious than any gem. Today I witnessed one of Hashem's many miracles and felt so proud to be a part, to be a small link, in His long chain- of tradition, of Judaism, of life.

Thank you HaShem for allowing me this moment and this opportunity.