Recently, my toddler was fighting a virus, and out of nowhere he said to me, “You can overcome it, right, Dad?” I wasn’t sure how to process his words. I mean, it seemed in the situation he had to overcome the virus. Somehow, it reminded me of the episodes in the Gemara where rabbis would inquire of the children what the future held and they would give the answers. In today’s times, I think his words have valid applications. First, when Reb Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l passed, a rav made the comment that we must now all become Reb Chaim Kanievskys. We must all rise to the moment and foster protection for the generation. Also, we have speakers like Rabbi Daniel Glatstein, Rabbi Eytan Feiner and Rabbi Eli Mansour, along with hundreds of others to guide us.

How can one not overcome, with the explosion of Torah that has hit the scene? Sometimes children can see life for what it is, an opportunity to endure and move forward. As Rosh Hashanah approaches, I will try to absorb my son’s words and believe that I can overcome, as the High Holidays symbolize times of glory, hope and forgiveness.