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Loss has a way of bringing life's most profound questions into sharp focus. After learning of my friend Elaine "Laney" Bat Sara's passing, I found myself reflecting deeply on the nature of depression, our responsibility to others, and what awaits us beyond this world.
Unlike many who suffer silently, Elaine made her depression public. Friends reached out repeatedly, myself included, yet there's a heartbreaking truth we must acknowledge: we cannot force another adult to accept our help, no matter how desperately they need it. "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." The comfort, however small, comes from knowing we tried.
What remains after we're gone? According to Jewish wisdom, our legacy continues advocating for us in the next world. Though we can no longer perform good deeds ourselves after death, those who remember us can elevate our souls through their actions. When someone says a blessing or gives charity in memory of a departed soul, that merit transfers, allowing them to ascend to higher spiritual levels. For those with children and grandchildren, this connection happens automatically—their good deeds naturally reflect back to those who shaped them.
The contrast between a life consumed by depression and one lived in spiritual connection couldn't be more stark. When we recognize the Creator as the ultimate source of everything we desire—love, prosperity, friendship, community, health—life transforms from burden to blessing. These teachings offer a path to living without anxiety and stress, replacing fear with faith and isolation with connection.
Take advantage of these ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur for spiritual growth. Share these teachings with someone who might be suffering. Your actions today create ripples that extend far beyond your physical presence in this world. What legacy will you leave behind?

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