The Journey is Just Beginning

Dear Friends,

In this week’s Torah portion, Vaera, Moshe brings a promise of possibility to the Israelites.
He tells them that the Infinite Presence is with them and pathways of liberation will appear.
But the Israelites are unable to hear Moshe’s message because their spirits have been crushed by long, hard labor. (Ex. 6:9)
They are just too worn out by the struggle to imagine any other reality.

But this is just one moment in the story.
The journey is not yet over.

For all of us, there will be times
When our spirits feel frightened, crushed and scattered,
When we feel like we just can’t go on.

And we will continue.

We will continue to
Share our strength, our love, our vision.
We will continue to rise together.

There are 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 use the invitation of Shabbat to rest,
To take a break from listening to the news,
Reading commentaries, searching online.

Let’s reach out to each other with kindness and love.

And perhaps there might be a moment when we hear the mystery 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 much love,
Rabbi Yael