Our Covenant with Creation

Dear Friends,

Even as I know the story, I feel startled reading it again.

Emerging out of chaos

all life unfolds.

Everything that will ever be

begins to takes form.

And then, before the chapters describing the beginnings close, we hear:

The Infinite One saw how much human wickedness was on earth,

how much evil humans devised in their thoughts and hearts.

The One regretted making humans on earth,

and the heart of the One grieved.  
Genesis 6:5-6

As this week’s parsha, Noach, opens we read:

The earth became filled with violence and destruction.

Corruption was destroying all.
Genesis 6:11-12

And here we are.

It is true.

We can see that

creation has gone awry.

Humans are acting with such wickedness

and so much is being destroyed;

families, homes, rivers and land,

fairness, justice, the possibilities of healing and peace.

The very fabric of our nation, of the world

is being torn apart.

And,

there is so much goodness.

So many people who care,

who love,

who are generous, courageous and kind.

There are leaves turning orange and red,

clouds surfing the sky,

crows calling.

There is music, poetry, art.

And some place nearby someone is laughing.

And some place nearby a friend is holding a friend who grieves.

And continually people gather,

sometimes millions in one day,

and songs fill the air.

It could be that

none of this feels like enough

to turn the tide

of corruption, arrogance and greed,

right now.

But perhaps we can take refuge, even for a moment,

in goodness.

Perhaps beauty can

soothe our spirits.

Perhaps moments of joy

can give us strength.

Perhaps the awareness of connection,

the sensations of relationship

can help us rise each day,

determined to bring love,

kindness and generosity into

this fractured and beautiful world.

Let this be our covenant with all creation.

 Shalom,
Rabbi Yael