Rabbi’s Message – December 1, 2022
This week’s Torah portion, VaYeitzei, is aptly translated as “he went out,” referring to Jacob leaving Beersheva. Within the first several verses we read about Jacob’s famous dream, in which he sees a ladder going between the land and the heavens. He will eventually recognize that there are angels going up and down this ladder. When he wakes, he is in awe. He immediately declares that God was in that place but he hadn’t known it.
It shouldn’t go unnoticed that Jacob was only able to experience God’s presence after he allowed himself to let go of his worries and relax enough to fall asleep. And, to get to that moment, Jacob first had to leave familiar territory and change his surroundings.
As we enter the colder months of the year, it is tempting to stay in the comfort of our homes, especially at the end of a long week. But, sometimes, as Jacob discovered, if we allow ourselves to step outside our daily routines and release the stress of our daily lives, we may find ourselves experiencing the holiness of God’s presence.
For many of us, coming to Shabbat services helps us to redirect our energy from ourselves in such a way that we recognize the sparks of holiness around and within us. This is especially the case when we can gather and share a meal following services, as we do on Share Shabbat. Recognizing the holiness of the day, reconnecting with friends and family, and building family memories not only helps strengthen our sense of community, but it reinvigorates us to live in ways that bring God’s presence into more and more parts of our lives.
Tomorrow night, consider joining us at Temple for our relaxing Share Shabbat services and dinner. Take this opportunity to step away from the chaos of a long week and create Shabbat memories as a family and a congregation. On these colder nights, let’s focus on all the things around us that bring us warmth, fill us with joy, and remind us of God’s presence.