Chevre, it’s still Pesach (פֶּסַח). So there is no parsha this week. We continue to read in the Torah about Pesach and we also read Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs). This appears to be a love story, but it’s explained to be how we should be seeing our relationship with HaShem. We read this on Pesach since it’s the holiday of our freedom. Walking around Israel and reading the news from the US, it seems that Am Yisrael is in a weird paradox (stira) where we are celebrating our freedom, but we still have over 100 of our people being held in Gaza, our army is still protecting us on multiple fronts and our Country (Israel) and our Nation (Am Yisrael) are being attacked on college campuses around the US. Rebbe Nachman tells us “Ein Shum Yeush BaOlam Clal” (There is no despair at all). I try to take these feelings as a wake up call to strengthen my Emuna (faith) in HaShem. Am I at the Shir HaShirm level? Absolutely not, but I take these as reminders to strengthen my Emuna. That coupled with the miracle that HaShem showed us against the Iranian missles shows that we are still loved and cherished. Somehow, with the strength and guidance of The Holy One (trying not to sing about goats here ….), we’ll get through this tumultuous time. Moadim BeSimcha and Shabbat Shalom.