An elderly Rabbi wrote an ethical will to his three children. And if you observe my Yahrtzeit by lighting a candle and by studying Torah and by giving Tzedaka - that will be good. But what I really would like is if the three of you would get together on my Yahrtzeit and have dinner and reminisce and tell stories and laugh as befits brothers to do. That, will be very good. Each of us has a legacy to leave, to be remembered and treasured and passed on.
Time is short.
We don't dare leave for tomorrow what needs to be said. We can and should learn from the mistakes of our ancestors. Don't climb the mountain in silence like Isaac, don't cry in silence like Sarah, and don't deprive others of their rightful parental blessing like Abraham did. On this Rosh Hashana, let us commit to breaking the silence that distances us from our loved ones. As Rosh Hashana is an appropriate time to reflect upon our lives, I would like to share part of this poem with you tonight.