The Mystery Appears

Dear Friends,

In this week’s Torah portion, Vayera,
the Divine Mystery appears and promises hope,
liberation and transformation.

Moshe brings this message to the people,
but the Israelites are unable to receive it.
Their spirits have been crushed by oppression.
They are too worn out by cruelty and deceit
to believe in or imagine a new reality.

It is helpful to remember that
this is just one moment in the story.
The people’s journey is just beginning.

For all of us these days,
there are times
when our spirits feel crushed.

Weary, filled with anguish and despair,
we feel like we can’t go on.
Nothing seems possible.

But always,
we can find hope and strength in each other.
Together, we will not give in.
We will not lay down.
We will not give up.

We will continue to
share our determination, love and vision.
We will continue to march and shout,
to pause and rest,
to seek solace and offer comfort.
We will continue to rise together.

There are millions and millions of people
who believe in freedom,
decency, equality and justice.
We are not alone.

So let’s take care of our hearts and souls.
Let’s reach out to each other with kindness and love.

And perhaps in a quiet moment,
or in the midst of a raucous community gathering,
we will feel the Mystery appear and whisper:

Do not dwell on what happened before
Do not get distracted by all that has passed.
Take notice, I am doing something new.
It is sprouting right now, in this very moment
All of a sudden you will know this.
Isaiah 43:18-19

With love and blessing, 
Rabbi Yael