In today’s fast-paced world, where distractions are abundant, it becomes ever more crucial to pay attention to the subtle signs around us. As the sages teach, HaShem often speaks to us in whispers and gentle nudges, urging us to reflect and realign our paths. One such sign can be found in the change of design in the quarters minted in recent years.
If we closely observe the quarters from 2021 and 2022, an interesting shift catches the eye. The 2021 quarter displays George Washington’s profile facing the inscription “IN GOD WE TRUST,” symbolically turning towards this declaration of faith. However, on the 2022 quarter, Washington’s profile faces away from the same inscription.
This seemingly minor design change can serve as a profound metaphor for our spiritual lives and the state of society. During this time period when the 2022 quarter was released, it has become even more evident that America has begun to turn its back on the values it once held dear. The principles upon which the nation was founded—faith, trust in HaShem, and moral integrity—are now often challenged or disregarded by contemporary leadership. This shift in societal values is mirrored in the simple, yet striking, change in the quarter’s design.
The Mishnah in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) 2:4 teaches, “In a place where there are no men, strive to be a man.” This means that even when society around us may seem to drift away from core values and trust in HaShem, we must stand firm, facing and embracing our faith. The shift in the quarters’ design is a call to notice and ponder our own orientation towards HaShem.
The Torah commands us to “know Him in all your ways” (Proverbs 3:6). This directive urges us to keep HaShem at the forefront of our minds and hearts, ensuring that our every action reflects our trust and devotion to Him. Just as George Washington’s profile on the 2021 quarter faces “IN GOD WE TRUST,” so too should our lives be directed towards HaShem.
In Kabbalistic terms, this can be likened to the concept of “Panim” (face) and “Achor” (back). Facing towards something signifies connection, attention, and engagement, while turning away signifies disconnection and neglect. In our spiritual journey, we must strive to keep our “Panim” towards HaShem, ensuring that our connection remains strong and vibrant.
This subtle change in the coin’s design serves as a gentle reminder to realign ourselves. Let us take this opportunity to reflect on our own lives. Are we facing towards HaShem in our daily actions, thoughts, and prayers? Or have we allowed distractions and the pace of modern life to turn us away?
As we navigate through the complexities of life, let us remember the lesson from these quarters. In a world that often pulls us in many directions, let us choose to face towards HaShem, reinforcing our trust and faith. For it is in turning towards HaShem that we find true guidance, strength, and peace.
May we all merit to keep our hearts and minds oriented towards HaShem, and may every small sign remind us of the importance of our spiritual direction.
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