Truth Sprouts from the Earth

Dear Friends,

There are times that our ancient texts speak so directly to the present moment. I appreciate the calls from this week’s Torah portion, Korach.

In the midst of the wilderness,
in a time of uncertainty and fear,
Korach gathered followers.

Feigning communal concern,
and using rhetoric that would inflame mistrust
Korach grasped for power.

Korach was already powerful.
He and his followers
were among the most privileged of the community.

Korach wasn’t making demands
on behalf of the people.
He was making demands on behalf of himself
and the power elite.

Korach wanted control.

His shameless grasping
brought a new creation into the world,
something that had never happened.

As Korach was asserting his authority,
and making his offerings,
the earth opened
and swallowed Korach, his family,
and followers.
They went into the earth with all their possessions
alive and whole.

And there, deep within the ground,
below the shifting sands,
they lived.

Over time the earth changed them.

They learned about interdependence,
about relationship,
about generosity,
and about the mysterious Oneness that connects us all.

And now the children of Korach sing.
In twelve Psalms titled with their names,
they sing to us:      

Divine Mystery,
Source of Possibility,
blessed is the person who trusts in you.
Psalm 84:13

Send forth your light and truth, they will guide me.
Psalm 43:3

My mouth will speak wisdom.
The meditations of my heart 
will bring understanding.
Psalm 49:4
 
Source of All,
align us for justice.
Help us contend with a nation lost and unkind.
Deliver us from cruel and treacherous leaders.
Psalm 43:1

The Source of All is in our midst.
We will not  be shaken.
The Source of All will help us meet the dawn.
Psalm 46:6

Singing and dancing we will shout,
our wellspring is in you.
Psalm 87:7

Love and truth meet,
Peace and justice embrace.
Psalm 85:11

The Source of Infinite Possibilities is with us.
This is our refuge and strength.
Psalm 46:12

Truth sprouts from the earth.
Psalm 84:12

May those greedy for power, those grasping for control for the sake of themselves disappear from our midst.
May we rise together humble and strong, living the truths the earth is telling.

Much blessing,
Rabbi Yael