"Thank You for making us different, that our lives have purpose and meaning"

"This tefillah is always special, but now, with the situation in the world, we appreciate it more than ever. People get up during these days and they have no idea why they got out of bed at all, what the day is for and what to do with it. So when we finish Shacharis, we prepare to face the rest of the day by saying ‘Aleinu leshabeach… Thank You for making us different, that our lives have purpose and meaning.’ Whether the day goes as we planned or it doesn’t go as we planned, I know that there is a plan… and that’s a reason to rejoice.”

—RAV SHIMON GALAY, in conversation with a team of Dirshu representatives. The rav had been reciting Aleinu when they arrived, and the tefillah took several minutes, so by way of apology, he explained what was keeping him engaged.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 845)