I lost my suit back in February, traveling from Denver to Frisco one Friday night. In my rush to catch the plane I left my suit by the seats at the boarding gate. I called the airline a number of times, but I never heard from them...

My life and priorities have shifted since last September.

Appropriately enough, it began in time for the Rosh Hashanah New year. A friend had invited me to Rabbi Dubov’s High Holy Day services at Chabad in Princeton.

My first reaction was not enthusiastic. I was never a big "shul goer," and was afraid I'd feel out of place in what I expected to be a roomful of "Chasidic veterans."

My friend assured me that most of the people who attended services there had a Hebrew school education similar to mine, and some had even less background.

Although unsure, I decided to check it out. To my surprise, I found a lot of "regular" Princeton area people. Most were dressed casual; a few were in jeans. No one except the rabbi had major background in Judaism. I was relieved when the rabbi cordially welcomed me, without asking embarrassing questions as to my current or historical Jewish observance.

The services were obviously traditional, but I felt a warm comfort I hadn’t sensed in other "traditional" services.

As Rabbi Dubov led the congregation, I could feel his real feeling, deep commitment and involvement with the prayer. Although I had to read the English to understand what he was saying, his heartfelt words carried me upward to Heaven.

After the High Holy Days, I continued attending Shabbat services and also taking some one hour evening classes. It helped me reconnect with myself after a hectic work week. Saturdays have become my “breather.” From someone who wouldn't even consider visiting a synagogue, I now look forward to my time there.

The classes have also been helpful, and the rabbi's sharing has been neither pushy nor patronizing. While as a kid, I disliked my required time in Hebrew school, the rabbi's insights have drawn me into the wonders I never knew existed in Torah. In a relaxed fashion we’ve delved into various topics from holiday customs to Talmudic law. I find it fascinating how Torah relates to our everyday lives.

I’m beginning to appreciate Torah’s wealth of wisdom, understanding and knowledge that is more than just intellectual. I am discovering that the mitzvot offer a framework in which to live life with joy, meaning and direction.

When I scheduled the flight for that Friday night out of Denver, I did so about four months before my renewed interest in Judaism. When February came around, I never bothered to change my flight plans, and although I figured that in the future I would schedule my trips to better observe Shabbat — since these plans were already made, I'd just follow through with them this one last time.

When I realized that I had left my suit behind, my first reaction was negative: "Uh-oh! I’m being punished for traveling on Shabbat." With the help of continued classes, however, I now see it differently and in a positive light.

I've learned that ‘Everything is for the good’ — everything — and although my limited perspective may not always understand G-d's Divine plan, it is always for the good.

Now when I think of my lost suit, I see it as G-d's gentle but humorous way of showing me that my old way of doing things doesn't fit anymore, that it's time to get a new suit!