It is a covenant as old as our people
A promise carried throughout the ages
“HaShemLit. The Name, referring to the ineffable name of God; used as a substitute for any of the more sacred names of God when not speaking in prayer. Particularly used in conversation. will keep those who keep 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..”
And yet, today, we struggle to find peace of mind
We struggle to find the inner calm of Shabbat
We struggle to feel the love of the
ShechinaThe feminine name of God, expounded upon in the rabbinic era and then by the Kabbalists in extensive literature on the feminine attributes of the divine.
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We have gained solace in the arms of community
Coming together on Friday and Saturday
Sharing the prayers of one another
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The humanity of joining together
Is now absent from our lives
Leaving us to yearn for the hugs and smiles
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The salve of Shabbat remains despite social distancing
The words of the
ShemaThe most central prayer in Jewish liturgy, the Shema states: "Hear O Israel, the Lord Our God, the Lord is One." These words are written inside mezuzot and t'fillin. It is traditionally said during all major services and when waking and going to sleep. still define our being
The lessons of
TorahThe Five Books of Moses, and the foundation of all of Jewish life and lore. The Torah is considered the heart and soul of the Jewish people, and study of the Torah is a high mitzvah. The Torah itself a scroll that is hand lettered on parchment, elaborately dressed and decorated, and stored in a decorative ark. It is chanted aloud on Mondays, Thursdays, and Shabbat, according to a yearly cycle. Sometimes "Torah" is used as a colloquial term for Jewish learning and narrative in general. are still a Tree of Life
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Though our world has been turned upside down
HaShem still provides Sukkat Shalom
The shelter and peace of the day of rest
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Shabbat cares for us as we celebrate Shabbat
We care for Shabbat as it celebrates us
Shabbat is our connection to each other in all times.
