Blessings.

Yesterday afternoon there were ferocious storms in downtown Toronto and in the early evening, the sun started to peek through the clouds.

I was sitting in my car with all of my kids when one spotted a rainbow. What a blessing! What a beautiful moment. I got to share the rainbow with them. I'll never, ever forget that moment. Thank you G-d for giving me yet another glimpse of your goodness and the beauty of your world, and thank you for letting me have that moment with all of my children beside me. Thank you for reminding me that even when things are hard, as life often is, we need only look upwards for comfort and compassion.

Judaism marks special occasions with special blessings. The blessing we say when seeing a rainbow is:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יהוהאֱלהֵינוּ מֶלֶך-הָעולָם זוכֵר הַבְּרִית וְנֶאֱמָן בִּבְרִית ווְקַיָּם בְּמַאֲמָרו.

Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melekh Haolam Zocher Hab'rit V'ne'eman Bivrito V'kayam B'ma'amaro.

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, Ruler of the Universe, who remembers the Covenant, and is faithful to G-d's covenant, and keeps G-d's promise.