This poem came to me while I was “attending” a livestreamed Kabbalat ShabbatLit. Receiving Shabbat The Friday-night service instituted by the mystics in S'fat in the 16th century. It includes selections from Psalms and the song Lecha Dodi. service from Temple Emanu-El (Reform) in San Diego, CA—thinking about both the loneliness and the freedom of our current reality of virtual worship. Rabbi Devorah is Rabbi Devorah Marcus.
Livestreaming Kabbalat ShabbatShabbat is the Sabbath day, the Day of Rest, and is observed from Friday night through Saturday night. Is set aside from the rest of the week both in honor of the fact that God rested on the seventh day after creating the world. On Shabbat, many Jews observe prohibitions from various activities designated as work. Shabbat is traditionally observed with festive meals, wine, challah, prayers, the reading and studying of Torah, conjugal relations, family time, and time with friends.
“We see you,”
Rabbi Devorah says
she can’t really
this service is livestream not Zoom
But You, God,
You see all of us
isolated
lonely? yes
yet also free to davven
in our own ways
each of our homes
a canopy of Sabbath peace
You watch us
gathering our kids
to light candles and
watch the service together
okay, trying to contain their shpilkes
their ants-in-the-pants Friday night energy
Are the Sabbath angels playing with them?
loving their laughter?
You hear us
belting out songs
off-key but who cares?
In Your ears
our dissonance becomes
a chorus of angels
You see us
ducking into
the kitchen to stir a pot
preparing a meal of perfect (or imperfect) faith
you see us
getA writ of divorce. Traditionally, only a man can grant his wife a get. Liberal Jews have amended this tradition, making divorce more egalitarian. started on a glass of wine
borei p’ri hagafen
You breathe the cooking aromas
the wine’s bouquet
do you let out a sacred Ah?
Yes, sometimes
we’re not fully present
we’re checking email
texting a friend
refereeing a sibling dispute
still we are braided together
like a golden
challahBraided egg bread eaten on Shabbat and holidays. Reminiscent of bread eaten by Priests in the Temple, of manna in the desert, and sustenance in general. Plural: Hallot
by words of prayer
You see us
in our living rooms
kitchens
bedrooms
patios
everyplace we have made
a mishkan, a dwelling-place
for the Sabbath queen
You see me, God,
jamming with the music
improvising harmonies
whaling on my drum
dancing like
MiriamMiriam is the sister of Moses and Aaron. As Moses' and Aaron's sister she, according to midrash, prophesies Moses' role and helps secure it by watching over the young baby, seeing to it that Pharaoh's daughter takes him and that the baby is returned to his mother for nursing. During the Israelites' trek through the desert, a magical well given on her behalf travels with the Israelites, providing water, healing, and sustenance. leading the women
across the sea
And we do
we cross the sea
separate yet united
by Your limitless gaze
we cross together
a holy community
singing redemption’s song
