When the Hasidim of Kotzk prayed, they did not move. Any external sign of piety was deemed pretentious. The story is told of a great student, who after one prayer session -- though someone observing from the side would not even have noticed that he was praying -- was bathed in sweat and had actually cracked two of his teeth.

Life doesn't turn out the way we expect it to be. Yet, perhaps we hide in those expectations. Perhaps we hide from today in the plans for tomorrow. Today, however, is not only a bridge to tomorrow. It is a springboard to eternity.

Forty years have passed since Dr. King and Rabbi Heschel worked and witnessed among us. Perhaps, like a biblical generation that represents a pregnant pause before a major transformation, we may be ready to act for a transformative rebirth in our time.

His move away from his religious observance, and thus his role as a cultural icon and leader for religious Jewry, took another dramatic step today.

Six months ago, Matisyahu shaved off his beard. Yesterday, he posted a picture of himself not wearing a kippah. The world didn't react, but the Jewish world let out another anguished cry.

One of the attacks often mounted against Hasidic life is a notion that Hasidic parents take a 17-year-old girl and 18-year-old boy, place them in a room against their will and an engagement is declared 30 minutes later.

I was invited to attend the Dr. Phil show last week to offer commentary on their feature story about a young and beautiful woman who had a tale of unsettling circumstances in regard to her Hasidic background.

As we enter yet another Jewish New Year, it may be that remembering where we came from is more important and ultimately more helpful on our journey through life than knowing where we are headed.

Peace is in our hands. Forgiveness is in our hands. Comforting others is in our hands. Can you imagine what this world would be like if every person claimed his or her true identity?