When looking at the current state of the world we live in, it's very easy to get sucked into the negativity of all the suffering, pain and aloneness we feel as a nation and as individuals.

But alongside all this upheaval is such a resurgence of beauty in the form of reconnection to ourselves, reconnection to one another, and a reconnection to Hashem.

The physical manifestation of this duality can definitely be felt here in Jerusalem- both the pain and trauma, yet such connectivity and hopefulness.

The blooming of flowers I see around brings me hope that the full redemption is really close and when it comes, this holy city will truly be in full bloom.