SItting at the Opening

Dear Friends,

It is so difficult to know what to say, to find words to speak into the sadness, turmoil and pain

Last week the Infinite Mystery called: Go.

Leave. Explore. Become.

This week the Mystery calls: Sit.

Be still. Be with. Notice.

Avraham sat among the trees

At the opening of the tent,

He lifted his eyes

And saw the Infinite Presence

Within all.

He saw that the Infinite Presence

Is within promise, hope, turmoil and pain.

The Infinite Presence is in conflict and longing.

The Infinite Presence is in

Grief, devastation and despair.

And the Infinite presence is in

Possibilities for healing and transformation

Not yet seen or imagined.

This awareness filled Avraham

And he rose to meet whatever life would bring

With humility and strength.

What can help us sit in the grief, sorrow

And chaos of these days?

What can help us rise into each moment?

I find inspiration and comfort in this teaching from Etty Hillesum:

And you must be able to bear your sorrow; even if it seems to crush you, you will be able to stand up again, for human beings are so strong, and your sorrow must become an integral part of yourself; you mustn’t run away from it.

Give your sorrow all the space and shelter in yourself that is its due, for if everyone bears grief honestly and courageously, the sorrow that now fills the world will abate. But if you do instead reserve most of the space inside you for hatred and thoughts of revenge—from which new sorrows will be born for others—then sorrow will never cease in this world.

And if you have given sorrow the space it demands, then you may truly say: life is beautiful and so rich. So beautiful and so rich that it makes you want to believe in God.

May we find moments of love and connection that help us bear our sorrows. May we have moments when we lift our eyes and can sense that the Infinite Mystery is sitting here with us, holding us all with compassion and care.

Much Love

Rabbi Yael