Lieba Rudolph @PonderingJew

Much going on in the world. Good to remember that every prayer, campus demonstration, breath, antisemitic rant, good thought, military move, act of forgiveness—everything— is somehow necessary. Or it wouldn’t be happening. These are the last moments before redemption.

After Seder, some family members shared what they wanted to be personally redeemed from. One couldn’t think of anything. Lucky you, another responded. I reminded them: “Thinking” is what led me to Jewish observance. Thoughtful lives will be even better after redemption.

Just heard two stories about young people’s miraculous health turnarounds. Hair-raising mini-redemptions. Always takes me to— Why does God do what He does? And then— He must have great reasons. And finally— Redemption will answer everything. Let’s bring it already.

Just visited the office of my daughter’s preschool. Huge screen displays what’s happening in 16 places around the building, mostly classrooms. Teachers know their every move can be seen. I thought, God sees everything too. Can He please make it easier to behave like it?

Maybe if we tell God we have had enough, that we can’t handle saying, “Next Year in Jerusalem” at the Seder, He will arrange it so we can finally say THIS Year in Jerusalem. Redemption is going to happen in one of these years—doesn’t THIS year seem perfect for it?

Years ago, a friend and I gave out Shabbos candles together, but mostly we talked about redemption. She said how she once saw women grabbing sale purses in a store. “We should all grab good deeds like that. After redemption, it’ll be too late to show God we trusted Him.”

Soon everyone will see and know that all creation is an expression of the infinite God—and live accordingly. That time feels very far right now. Which is a sign that it’s very close. Everyone please remind God of His promise to redeem us. One. Last. Time.#keepHispromise

If we want world redemption, we need to do more—especially when it’s so dark and we’re so close. Just decided to go out with my daughter to ask Jewish women to light Shabbos candles—and pray. We need to get to the other side—and no change comes from doing things the same.

On the phone in a random store. Almost said something snarky but held back. Turned into the next aisle, saw someone I know. Glad better self prevailed. “Why? So she won’t know the real you?” Ugh. Redemption=Feeling God’s presence=All of us being our best selves

Seems like a good time to say this again: There is only one compelling reason why the land of Israel belongs to the Jews. Because God gave the land of Israel to the Jews. Maybe if we say it strongly enough, often enough, everyone will believe it. Including the Jews.

Stuck in carpool line because someone left her car to go get a kid. Almost got annoyed but remembered, I’ve been that person. Reminded God: Not judging and being patient help bring redemption. A few extra minutes to talk to Him never hurts either.

Home team came back to win in the bottom of the ninth. Reminder to try our hardest and never give up. Because winning is all that matters. And if we’re not winners, we’re losers. Nothing in between. Which, just saying, is all of us if we don’t actually see the redemption.

Month of redemption (Nissan) starts Tuesday. A few preps to catalyze the big one: Joy—Act like it’s here. Trust—Ignore the 2,000 years, lean into the promise. Forgiveness—God loves unity. More. Than. Anything. Action—Add in good deeds. Use code RDMPTN. LET’S DO THIS!

A friend was having passport issues. “We did everything right so we should get it in time,” she said. “Doing everything right isn’t the point,” I answered. “You need to make sure you get it.” We’ve “done everything right” to bring the redemption. So how do we get it?

We don’t need to be religious to pray. We don’t need to believe to pray. We just need to be willing to pray. If our relationship with God is fractured, it’s probably not our fault. Which means our willingness to reopen the dialogue could heal a lot. Including the world.

Saw the Titanic exhibit and had lots of thoughts. Be prepared. Be humble. First class may be nice but doesn’t always buy us what we need. There’s no way around the hand of God.

Imagine a world where we didn’t even have to think about treating others the way we want to be treated. Because we’ll see with our own flesh eyes that there really are no “others.” Just putting it out there.

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger is so true it isn’t funny. But it’s enough already. What if we all just ask God to make us the way we’re supposed to be?

In the car on the highway, inspirational thoughts slow in coming. “God, if You want me to share something, show me a sign,” I think to myself. I soon pass a billboard that says this: LESS SOCIAL MEDIA Guess that’s my sign.

I saw my grandson staring at a Shriners commercial. What was he thinking? When I was his age (7), I obsessed over why some kids had such huge problems—and I didn’t. Nearly drove me crazy. It helped to learn that the redemption would heal everything. Time for us to see it.