There he stands at the edge of a cliff. He is an invigorated being with an expression of joy on his face and a look of excitement in his eyes. A crowd gathers. Some watch from a distance in total amazement, while others gather nearby to offer support and encouragement. He jumps... you smile as he soars high into the sky. How you wish that you were “He”.

We are “He” many times; the question is merely which one. In life there are numerous cliff edges that are totally beyond our control. What we do control, however, is the decision whether we will fall or we will fly.

As we leave our homes and begin life on our own, life some times seems like the edge of a cliff; after all we must take a step, and often many steps, into the unknown. As odd as it may seem, nature has it that we like to go to the edge of this cliff. We are happy and look forward to leaving our homes, our norms and our “solid ground” to walk up to the edge of the cliff. It is only when we get to the edge that we realize where we stand.

Personally, I have been at the edge of the cliff numerous times in my own life... I was forced to take the bold step

Ok, you are not the type. You never walked to, or looked for, the cliff. But the cliff’s edge is looking you right in the face right now. You were pushed to the cliff’s edge by a particular incident in your personal life, or a global event brought to your attention.

Or you are someone to whom the cliff is all you know. You feel like the world in its present state is a cliff’s edge, not leaving you much of a choice for your next ‘step’.

Personally, I have been at the edge of the cliff numerous times in my own life. I might not have seen it in those terms, but “a bad day”, “between a rock and a hard spot”, “catch 22”, “Murphy’s law”, “no way out”, or simply “fed up with the way it is” I was forced to take the bold step.

I don’t know which “He” was me. I probably switched between the two. After all I can’t say I never fell, but if I am still here to tell the tale I must have flown as well.

Lately on a trip up Highway 1, I discovered a secret. To my amazement a man walked right off the edge of the cliff, and believe it or not began to fly; first over the beaches, then over the ocean. He didn’t fall. He turned back and flew higher, this time way above the tree top covered mountains. Defying gravity, he flew so smoothly... thanks to the guidance of a small glider.

It hit me! Not the glider, but the idea. The difference between flight and fright, between defiance and defeat, was a glider: wings beyond yourself that carry you through.

Today they don’t push us. Today we are invited to the cliff’s edge. Thank G-d we can, and are encouraged to stand where others stand and walk where others walk. We do so with confidence even though we know that at times this walk will lead us to the cliff’s edge. We do not fear the cliffs edge. Not because we are not afraid of the plunge. But rather because we have a glider and so we know we will fly.

You’re out with friends and hungry as well. Everyone stops for a bite. You hesitate. The food is not Kosher. Your friends are looking. You stomach is turning. You might as well be at the edge of a cliff. Do you fold to your temptation? Do you collapse under pressure? No! You hold your head up high, announce that G-d is your Glider, and you are ready to fly.

Upon His instructions people have strolled through fire, marched through water, stormed deserts, and hiked mountains... Cliff after cliff, holding on to His every word they stepped off... and flew high

From generation to generation the glider was passed down to you and me. Beyond the words and laws, it is the spirit and soul. The power to ‘hang on’ with pride as we follow what we know is right. It is the strength to obey G-d’s word and the ability to make that G-dly connection a public relationship.

Today as always, we are often at the edge of the cliff. Being Jewish in a non Jewish world is as cliff edge as it gets. People gather. They stare. They whisper. They begin to worry... They think you’re going off the deep end.

You are! Oh but how much fun it is to walk off a cliff with a glider and fly!

The weekend is finally here. He needs to let loose. All his peers are going out on the town. His knees are shaking. It is Shabbat. He is supposed to light the candles and make the Kiddush. A group of his friends gather to watch. Some come up close to dissuade him out of this old fashion tradition. He goes out... on the town. He leaves more than 3300 years of tradition behind. His ancestors shed a tear. You hope “He” is never you.

The weekend is finally here. He needs to let loose. All his peers are going out on the town. His feet are dancing. It is Shabbat. He can’t wait to light the candles and make the Kiddush. A group of his friends gather to watch. Some come up close and ask to take part. He goes out... to a Shabbat dinner. He carries on the riches of a beautiful past. His ancestors hold his hand, his future children sit on his shoulders. And together they fly.

You are so proud this week “He” is you.

Rabbi Shlomie Chein directs the Chabad Student Center at UCSC in S. Cruz, CA. He is also a scholar for Askmoses.com. He can be contacted at schein@askmoses.com. Click here to see his online schedule.