Earlier this week, when I was clearing off the driveway and again when I was out driving, I saw people jogging. They were properly attired from head to foot. They were even wearing waterproof garments to stay dry from the splashing of oncoming traffic. It was a snow day and the sheriff had sent out a travel alert, but dedicated runners were out. No question about it, running was important to these people.

     Unless the activity is illegal or dangerous, such dedication is not a bad thing. Perseverance, as much or more than talent, is a determining factor for much of what people accomplish in life. More than that, devoted participation in an activity is the most dependable measure of what is truly important to someone. It's not just a truism, it's absolutely true: if someone really wants to do something, they will.

We go through life saying what's important to us. We go through life doing things. If a bystander were to review what we did rather, and then review what we say is important to us, would the two lists match? For those who say career is important, would their actions match their words? If someone has said "family is important," what's the proof? If we say that Judaism's important in our days, have we showed that by the way we live?

     It's been said by many people in many ways, "Don't tell me what's important to you, show me what you do and I'll know." If Judaism's important, we need to do it, not just say it.