Where You Come From, Where You Are Going by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
Time and again, as I sat in Jerusalem, breathing its inspiration, one saying from Pirkei Avot 3:1 came into my mind, the saying of one of the great heroes of Judaism, Akavia hen Mehalalel. He said: histakel bishloshah devarim ve-ein atah ba lidei averah – Reflect on three things, and you will not transgress, go wrong, lose your way. Da meayin bata – know from where you came. Ulean atah holech – and where you are going. Velifnei mi atah atid liten din vecheshbon – and know before whom you will have to give an account.
