Who Knows?

Who knows?

Perhaps it is for this very moment that you became Queen. (Esther 4:14)

These are the words Mordechai used to encourage Esther to approach the King and risk her life to save the Jewish people.

Who knows?

Who knows what this mysterious life is about?

Who knows what we are doing or why we are here?

These words--who knows--inspire Esther to take action.

In spite of her fears,

In spite of the dangers she is facing approaching the king,

Who knows propels her forward.

Who knows is not necessarily the message we look for

To motivate our actions.

Most of the time we want a little more certainty,

A little more assurance that what we do will mean something,

Will make a difference,

Will be received well.

In the Purim story—Who knows

         Gets turned around and inside out and

         Becomes not an excuse but a driving force that says:

         You are here for a reason that unfolds in mystery.

         Hidden beneath the surface are forces of change

         And transformation that are constantly in motion.

         Don’t let uncertainty scare you into hiding.

         Don’t let uncertainty become an excuse that lets you turn away.

         Let not knowing encourage engagement and exploration,

         Let not knowing call forth audacity and strength.

         Let not knowing propel you forward.

                  When nothing is known, anything is possible.

We do not know where our actions will lead.

We do not know the number of our days.

What we do know

Is that we are here now

In a world that is crying and

So in need of our courage and love.

In honor of Purim,

         Let us step into the unfolding of the unknown.

         Let us reach toward connection and possibility.

         Let us dare, hope, risk and love.

Who knows? Perhaps it is for this very moment that we are here.

Purim Samayach—Love to All

(With great thanks to Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld for the teaching on Who Knows)

Blessings for Spring Equinox

As earth’s turning brings us into spring,

Let us notice the tiny green shoots,

The purple crocuses,

The yellow buttercups pushing through the hard ground.

Let us be encouraged by their strength and feel blessed by their beauty.

Let us believe in possibilities that have yet to be revealed.

 
--Rabbi Yael Levy