The Eternal Promise...

 In under a week, we will begin the Pesach (Passover) holiday. Three thousand, three hundred, and thirty-six years ago, a humble man, a Jew awakened to the needs of his people, demanded that the King of Egypt release the descendants of Jacob.

They walked out of Egypt and became...a miracle. Miracles got them released; miracles continued to happen as they made their way through the wilderness of the Sinai Desert. Miracles when they stopped and received God's laws. Miracles when they stopped before the Jordan and parted with the greatest leader the Jewish people ever had, or will ever have.

And though he did not see it, though he stayed on the other side of the Jordan River as his people crossed over, it was according to his wish, his dream and his rule, that we listened. Miracles followed us as the land was given to us in battles overseen by the Greatest General, a Mighty Protector.

Next week, we will remember and celebrate. But now, this picture speaks to me. I love most of the paintings I have made, but this one is priceless to me. It isn't perfect but it captures a moment when a great leader, tired, old and ready to rest, stands for a moment, his moment. His time.

I had a dream to come to this land. How it is possible that God granted so many the dream of living in this beautiful land while Moshe did not cross the Jordan?

There are many explanations, but for me it is this moment. Moshe was given this moment - an eternal moment. Forever he stands and watches over us. Continues to teach us. Continues to call to us to follow.

Nothing in the world of the Jewish people matters more than this man, this moment, this land, this promise. And each time we sit at the Seder table and retell the story of our leaving Egypt, we keep that promise and make our own.

Next year, we will be in a rebuilt, united Jerusalem and our enemies...will lie beaten in the waters, the sands of their destiny.

In light we live...eternal. Am Yisrael Chai.