This week we REWIND the Torah, back to the beginning…
I mean, really, THE BEGINNING. Genesis. We start with the opening words, “Breisheet Barah Eloheim et HaShamiyim v’et
HaAretz”. “In the beginning God
created the heaven and the earth. Now the earth was unformed and
void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the spirit of God hovered
over the face of the waters. And God said: 'Let there be light.' And there
was light!”
We recall the act of Creation each time we recite the
Yotzer Or prayer “Who Brings forth
Light.”
In mercy do You give light to the
earth and to all who dwell upon it, and in Your goodness do you renew every
day, continuously, the work of Creation. How great are Your works, Adonai! In
wisdom you made them all, filling the earth with your creatures.
Personally, I think that there
should be a prayer for PHOTOSYNTHESIS! Even if you are not into thanking God for acts of science… you’ve GOT to
admit that Photosynthesis is just remarkable.
I thank God for photosynthesis early in the Spring, when, in less than
24 hours, that remarkable shade of green turns the brown of winter into rebirth
and renewal. I make the same blessing in
the Fall, when tourists flock to our part of Virginia to see the leaves “turn.”
Autumn made its debut here this week. Again, in a
period of 24 hours, the leaves blew off our cherry tree, leaving her alarmingly
naked. Gusting winds brought down swirls
of yellow leaves and on cue, the forests started to thin. The color scheme of the Blue Ridge Mountains began
its change from solid green foliage into a riot of reds, orange, yellows, and
shades of golden brown.
Colors are changing for the wildlife as well.
Protective Coloration; also a gift from God’s Palette. Deer are getting harder
to spot by predators, both natural and vehicular, as they turn from brown to
dusky grey, blending with tree bark.
Wild turkey hens, now the color of harvested fields, flock by the road. “Our”
Momma bear and cub lumber through the yard, down to the stream, their coats deep
black with lustrous well-oiled winter fur.
A final explosion of flowers and color can be seen by
the roadside and in peoples’ yards. The last of the harvest is gathered. It is
glorious! Yes, each day God renews his
Covenant with us.
Then
God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole
earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for
food.
And
to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the
creatures that move on the ground--everything that has the breath of life in
it--I give every green plant for food." And it was so.
Reb Nachman's religious philosophy revolved around closeness
to God and speaking to God in normal conversation "as you would with a
best friend." The following prayer is just such a conversation:
A Prayer of Reb Nachman of Bratslav
Hashem:
Grant
me the ability to be alone!
May
it be my custom to go outdoors each day among the trees and grass-
among
all growing things,
and
there may I be alone,
and
enter into prayer,
to
talk with the One to whom I belong.
May
I express there everything in my heart,
and may all the foliage of the field-
all
grasses, trees and plants-
awake
at my coming,
to
send the powers of their life into the words of my prayer
so
that my prayer and speech are made whole
through
the life and the spirit of all growing things,
which
are made as one by their transcendent Source.
May
I then pour out the words of my heart
before
your Presence like water, Hashem,
and
lift up my hands to You in song,
on
my behalf, and that of my children!
Just
imagine a day that contains this prayer. Imagine taking a break from whatever
else you are doing in your busy schedule to say these words. Imagine having the courage to say these words
on days you are held down by mental or physical inertia. Imagine stepping outside each day, being in
the moment, speaking these words. Write
these words down and say them everyday.
Shortly, they will be in your memory, allowing you to concentrate on
your breathing and then, perhaps allow you to lift up your eyes, your arms and
your heart in prayer.
Shavua
Tov,
Rabbi
Rose
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