In the Everyday

Cooking, cleaning, breaking up the kids’ fights... If only I had a few minutes for myself!

- MIRIAM GREEN

Dishes already filled the sink, and my three children hadn't even finished their breakfast. "Hurry up, or you'll be late," I said. "Rafi, finish your juice. Liora, did you put your bicycle away?"

"Rafi, that's my juice!" my youngest, Hillel, shouted at his brother.

"Is not!" Rafi yelled back.

"That's enough," I snapped. "Finish your breakfast, and go brush your teeth!"

Over the noise of the faucet, I could hear the boys still squabbling as they left the kitchen. Rinsing a dish, I reminded myself of the Amida, the prayer at the core of the daily prayer services. "Elohai, my God, guard my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking deceitfully.... Open my heart to your Torah so that my soul will pursue your commandments."