I’m away this week for some rest and relaxation, swimming and reading and eating of course.
The portion this week V’etchanan contains the Shema, which is a reminder to stop, to listen, to feel the connection of everything and to feel the blessing inherent within it.
Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad. Listen Israel our Eternal is our God. Our God is One.
A reminder to take a moment this summer to watch, observe and feel the pleasure of slowness. As I am taking a few days away here’s something I love for you; a poem by Marge Piercy.
See you on Shabbat morning.
But the discipline of blessings is to taste
each moment, the bitter, the sour, the sweet
and the salty, and be glad for what does not
hurt. The art is in compressing attention
to each little and big blossom of the tree
of life, to let the tongue sing each fruit,
its savor, its aroma and its use.
Attention is love, what we must give
children, mothers, fathers, pets,
our friends, the news, the woes of others.
What we want to change we curse and then
pick up a tool. Bless whatever you can
with eyes and hands and tongue. If you
can’t bless it, get ready to make it new.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rebecca.
Copyright © 2024 Finchley Progressive Synagogue. All rights reserved. Website designed by Addicott Web. | Charity #1167285