This Yom Kippur, our rabbi spoke about the first two questions G-d asks in Genesis: of Adam, G-d asks “where are you?” and, of Cain, G-d asks “where is your brother?”

Why, the rabbi posed, does G-d ask these questions since G-d is omniscient and knows the answers? Because, the rabbi posits, of the importance of Adam and Cain to be accountable for who they are (as in “Dude, look around you.  What are you thinking?”) and what they have done (as in, “Dude, did you think that was a GOOD idea?”).

Once we answer these questions, then next question is:  where do we go from here?

I believe that President Obama has tried to engage us in this conversation.  Especially on the topic of torture.  We, individually and as a society, need to acknowledge that we tortured people and that is wrong and that we failed at the very moment our national character demanded that we stick to our ideals.  It is ok to be imperfect, it is ok to fail at things.  But it is not ok to stay there, mired, unwilling to recognize the imperfection and the failings and set a new course.

Well, this year, I am moved to start trying to answer these questions in my life.  It will probably take me a lifetime to get it right.