In this week’s Torah portion, we continue the description for the building of the Tabernacle- the portable sanctuary that the Israelites will take with them as they wander through the desert. The architect of the sanctuary is named Bezalel- a Hebrew name meaning “in the shadow of God.”
Our names tell us so much about who we are. Bezalel literally was so close to God, that he walked in God’s shadow. As I read this week’s portion, I wondered what it would be like to walk so closely to God- to feel God’s presence so intensely, to essentially rub shoulders with the Almighty.
And then I realized that I stand in God’s shadow every day. We all stand in God’s shadow every day. When I wake up, I give thanks to God. When I go to sleep, I give thanks to God- and yes, even when I go to the gym or go running, I offer thanks.
Today, we live in a troubled world: where so many are sick and thousands are dying. We live in a world where friends are quarantined, cities are locked down, and borders are closed. And I can’t help thinking, “Where is that shadow of God?”
And then I realize—that God is in those heroic doctors and nurses caring for our sick and ailing. God is in the neighbor delivering a basket of food to an elderly man living in the same building. God is found with those researchers toiling hour after hour searching for a vaccine.
And God is found in the opening buds on trees here in Jerusalem---because trees don’t delay their beauty because of a microbe.
Prayer is often how I connect to the Almighty. Sometimes it works, often it doesn’t. Sometimes when I pray, I feel as if I’m talking to a distant relative on a bad long-distance phone call. And sometimes I’m amazed at the clarity of that connection. But regardless if I get a busy signal on that call or my “call” goes right through, I continue to dial. Day after day. Year after year.
As we battle the Coronavirus, I share with you a prayer written by my colleague Rabbi Naomi Levy. Read it to yourself, read it to a friend, share it with a loved one.
A Prayer of Hope During this Pandemic
by Rabbi Naomi Levy
We are frightened, God,
Worried for our loved ones,
Worried for our world.
Helpless and confused,
We turn to You
Seeking comfort, faith and hope.
Teach us God, to turn our panic into patience,
And our fear into acts of kindness and support.
Our strong must watch out for our weak,
Our young must take care of our old.
Help each one of us to do our part to halt the spread of this virus
Send strength and courage to the doctors and nurses
In the frontlines of this battle,
Fortify them with the full force of their healing powers.
Send wisdom and insight to the scientists
Working day and night across the world to discover healing treatments.
Bless their efforts, God.
Fill our leaders with the wisdom and the courage
To choose wisely and act quickly.
Help us, God, to see that we are one world,
One people
Who will rise above this pandemic together.
Send us health God,
Watch over us,
Grace us with Your love,
Bless us with Your healing light.
Hear us God,
Heal us God,
Amen.
Shabbat Shalom
Cantor Evan Kent