I recently had a conversation with a Buddhist friend of mine, and we were lamenting the sad state of the world. We came up with a list of reasons why we thought the world was in such a state: lack of civility; preponderance of gossip and hurtful speech; unskillful behavior, just to name a few. For me, however, the number one reason was our dependence on technology. There is no arguing that technology has improved our lives in countless ways. Information is no longer “locked” in libraries, rather it is in the palm of our hands. Medical care has improved because of technology. But all of the advances have come with a price: distraction. Distraction is one of the greatest challenges facing us today. We are tethered to our devices, waiting for the next notification that will let us in on the latest gossip and the hottest info. Scientists have noted that we have become so addicted to the dopamine hit from getting a notification on our devices that people constantly feel the need to check their smartphones. Moreover, they feel symptoms of withdrawal when they are separated from their devices. The problem with being constantly distracted is that it pulls us away from the essential. We are losing the ability to focus for more than a few moments without checking our devices. I see it when I am at a restaurant. People are no longer having conversations with each other. They may be sitting at the same table, yet they are looking at their devices instead of at each other. I’ve seen it in both movie theatres and live theatres, where I’ve been witness to more than one fight caused by a distracting device. And I’ve seen people in synagogues and other houses of worship. We grow frustrated when our internet connection is too slow or when we can’t get good cell phone reception. And we are less patient with each other. We are frazzled and not present in the moment. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We can put down our devices and embrace the here and the now. I know it sounds too easy to be true, but it is that simple. Put down the phone and look around you. Take a deep breath and marvel at the sounds around you. Take a moment and think about someone you love. See? Wasn’t that easy? Now, do it again. Enjoy the peace
​Rabbi Robert D. Judd

Even though we are in the midst of summer, we are moving towards the month of Elul, the month leading us to the Yamim Noraim—the Days of Awe and Wonder (also known as the High Holydays). We are at one of the most important times of our year. During this time, as we look towards the new year, with all of its potential, we reflect on the past year: what we did and what we didn’t do.

All too often, we focus too much on the past—on the things we didn’t do or the things we didn’t do 100%.  When we do this, we often overlook the many good things we have done. Granted, all of us make mistakes; all of us miss the mark at one time or another. However, this doesn’t mean that we never do anything correct or that we are always making mistakes. All too often, we focus only on the negatives: what we didn’t do and the mistakes we’ve made.

One thing that the High Holydays teaches us is that we can change things for the better: we can repair. Rebbe Nachman of Breslov teaches: “If you think you can destroy, believe that you can repair.” Rebbe Nachman understood human nature better than most people. He realized that we all walk around feeling bad about ourselves. He suggests that we let go of those feelings and focus instead on the good that we can do. Yes, we can make mistakes—we can destroy; however, we can also repair and rebuild.

Rebbe Nachman suggests that while we can acknowledge the past, we need to be in the present. Our Tradition lays great emphasis on the past: we are commanded to remember many things—that we were slaves, what Amalek did to us. We hold ancient landmarks and texts in great esteem. We remember them, and we celebrate the fact that things have changed—for the better. The past is gone: we can’t change it. What we can do, however, is build upon it—for the better.

Moreover, ours is also a Tradition rooted in the present. While we look to the past for guidance, we live in the here and now. The month of Elul and the Yamim Noraim are times of endings and beginnings. We close one year and we welcome another. The coming weeks are times of great introspection and self-examination: we look back on the past year to see where we may have failed, where we missed the mark. But we are also looking forward: we look to the new year as a chance to begin again.

​We as a people are called “Am haSefer,” “People of the Book,” for our love of the Torah and our ancient traditions. However, we also say “Am Yisrael Chai,” “The People Israel lives.” We look to the past, but we go forward to the future.

For me, I learned that we can’t live by hoping to change the past. What’s done is done. However, we can make the future better; we can make it what we want it to be.

Have a pleasant rest of the summer. Remember, the High Holydays are only weeks away.