The other day, I woke up singing these words from Damn Yankees. Apparently, my soul was gearing up for another corona-time day during my night-time rest. I'm grateful that the deepest recesses of my being know the secret to success in challenging times. The strength of an open-heart and the power of a hopeful outlook. This week's parasha focuses on these characteristics, heart and hope. Reminding the people how to build the mishkan, Moses calls for the selection of gifts by everyone whose heart is filled with a voluntary spirit of giving/kol n'div libo. One might think these recent slaves, whose impatience led to the creation of the golden calf, would have neither heart nor hope. Yet, parashat Vayakhel speaks of the moment the artisans tasked with the creation of the sanctuary tell Moses, The people are bringing more than is needed for the tasks entailed in the work Gd commanded. So Moses instructed the people to halt their selection of gifts. (Exodus 35:5-6) This plethora of donations reflects the expanded heart of the people and their ability to envision a communal future greater than the one in which they were living.
One year from the day we determined our Habonim building would close...until at least March 30 (who knew!!), these actions of our ancestors remain a foundational response to establishing a spiritual center. The parasha begins with Moses bringing everyone together - vayakhel - in essence, constituting the people as a community. Throughout this long year, we at Habonim have done the same. We have gathered in our virtual sanctuary to mark time, learn, mourn, celebrate, reflect and pray. We have danced and lit candles, questioned and commented. We have drawn pictures, shared photos and planted seeds - real and imagined. Hearts have cracked and cracked open. We have built with our hands and our hearts, demonstrating we are truly #BetterTogether.
In this year of Pirkei Ahavah/Loving Chapters, we have come together from the heart center, living into the moments placed before us, facing struggle with strength and embracing challenge with artistry and agility to maintain a sacred spiritual home. One year into corona-times, we are truly yahad - lev b'lev/together - heart to heart, constantly building our sanctuary here on earth just as Gd commanded.
As we enter this next chapter of love and the Shabbat, enjoy this Shir Ahavah/Song of Love, prepared for the centennial of the Women's International Zionist Organization (WIZO). And don't mind me as my eyes fill with tears of love and hope that we will sing this song together in Eretz Yisrael bimheira b'yameinu/speedily, in our day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3Cuucch_Fs
Shabbat Shalom,
Rg
