On the 19th day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I do not believe. I do not, I cannot believe. In the reality of all this. Just.. in anything. In anything. And yet I find myself, as I often do during moments of great distress, returning to Hebrew school worship--Iessons in faith, in humility before God, long since abandoned but ever simmering at the edge of crisis. Perhaps it was the comfort of repetition; perhaps the strength of what, in childhood, felt like a great wisdom--a precipice beyond which all was clear, all was visible.

Every night I cover my eyes. Pray for peace.

shema yisrael

adonai eloheynu

adonai echad

Hear me, oh Israel. Our Lord is one.