A little girl and her father were crossing a flimsy bridge. The father was scared so he asked his little daughter: “Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don’t fall into the river.” The little girl said, “No, Dad. You hold my hand.” “What’s the difference?” asked the puzzled father. “There is a big difference,” replied the little girl. “Dad, if I hold your hand and something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go. But, if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens, you will never let go.”

On Yom Kippur we remember that Hashem (G-d) loves us with an infinite and unconditional love, and is waiting to hear our prayers. Just as a parent will always yearn for a child to return, G-d is there to offer us a stabilizing hand to help us navigate the flimsy bridge of life.