My sorrow spills over flowing down my cheeks whenever I, again, realize that this tragedy, this unbelievable act really did happen. Over 5,000 souls gone before their time. Yes, this has happened in other parts of the world over time, in war, in natural disaster, but this is the results of hatred. How can anyone, any group of people, hate so much that they want to destroy mindlessly?

We, Americans, have been so lucky in this fruitful land of ours. But is has not been all luck. Our history shows we have worked hard to be an imperfect form of democracy. And we have failed. We have failed our poor. We have failed our First Americans. We have failed on many fronts. But when you compare what even they have, for the most part, we are better off than the rest of the world. Except for some extremists, Americans are a generous and responsive people.

Why? And how? And is it over,here? What will our leaders do? I believe they have showed restraint. We, Americans are activists, but I hope and pray we do not take action merely for the sake of action. Violence begets violence.

I pray on the eve of Rosh Hashanah for peace, for wholeness, for healing, for all that is best for all of humanity and sentient beings. May all of us look back and reflect upon what we have done that might have been harmful. Let us, at least, heal the wounds that we have caused, and, perhaps, the world will be better for that. It is said that if we all sweep our own doorsteps, the whole world will be cleansed.