One of the best parts of this week was the welcoming of our Religious School students into the Habonim building. Kol Hakavod/great job! to Rina Cohen Schwarz and her fabulous team of educators, our dedicated maintenance staff - Matvey, Jesus and Freddie - Wendy Halperin and our Religious School/Youth and Family Program Committee and everyone else who offered guidance and encouragement. What a beautiful way to begin this new month (both October
and MarHeshvan!).
Opening days were filled with excitement, curiosity, joy and love. What a blessing to step into this new phase of our gathering as community. I found lining up in the hallway particularly instructive. The students stretched out their arms to make space between them. Designed as part of our covid19 protocol, it was a perfect demonstration of our tradition's practice of dalet amot, a rabbinic measurement that signifies personal space. Each of us moves in a personal bubble that belongs to us. Technically, an amah is the distance from about the elbow to the middle fingertip. Dalet represents the number four. This space keeps others out of our face (so to speak) and reminds us not to bump into (literally and figuratively) another person. It is our own invisible individual barrier. In everpresent corona-times, the idea of dalet amot reminds us that social distancing provides space to keep us safely connected at the heart center.
This week's parasha focuses on measurements as Noah builds the ark according to G'ds architectural plan. Compartments/cubicles (Genesis 6:14) kept different types of animals separated, like having your own cabin on a cruise ship. Most interesting is the tzohar/light near the roof of the ark. Rashi suggests this was either a window or a precious jewel which provided light (Genesis Rabbah 31:11). This skylight illuminated the inside, keeping everyone connected even in their own space. Imagining the tzohar as a sacred stone giving off rays of light, we are reminded even imperfect spaces can be blessed and illuminated with light.
May this Shabbat be one of family, friends and community and may we bring the light.
Shabbat Shalom rg
Congregation Habonim 103 West End Ave New York, NY 10023
