The Image

two people in silhouette on a mountaintop at sunset

Sh’ma,
(Listen,)
The difference between you and I,
Between us and them,
Was not crafted by G-d to divide.
It was made to uplift

From tribe to tribe,
House to house,
Family to family,
Person to person.

Were you I,
And I were you,
Never would we see the light
Of our very own existence.

If the leaves of the tree were woven together,
Never would the light shimmer
Between each leaf in the breeze.

If you were not,
I never would have seen the face of creation.
Truly my life would be lessened by your absence.

Sh’ma!
(Listen!)
Difference is the image.
A soul alone cannot achieve unity.
It takes a world.

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on email
Email

Ritualwell content is available for free thanks to the generous support of readers like you! Please help us continue to offer meaningful content with a donation today. 

Related Rituals

Shop Ritualwell - Discover unique Judaica products

The Reconstructionist Network

Filling the Well

In this monthly salon, we will use embodied practices including breathing, sound meditation and movement to quiet the inner critic, calm the nervous system, and open creative channels. From there, we will explore generative prompts connected to a Jewish theme or timely topic, designed to free your creative expression. Upcoming session: October 19.

Weaving Water:
Recreating Jewish Water-based Rituals

Explore how the Jewish Calendar and holiday cycle are built on the flow of water. Together we will track our relationship with water through various rituals, then write our own. No previous experience is necessary. Six sessions starting August 23, 2023.

Get the latest from Ritualwell

Subscribe for the latest rituals, online learning opportunities, and unique Judaica finds from our store.