February 2015

Dear friends,

This week, we experienced an epic winter storm.  The roads shut down, the schools closed.  From my warm house, I looked out the window as the snow blew in every direction, eventually burying Jeremy’s car almost completely.  Yet, with central heating, electricity, and excellent public programs to remove snow, the storm was more of a treat than a threat.

In ancient times, though, when storms were often terrifying, people saw snow and storms as proof of God’s might.

God covers the sky with clouds;

God supplies the earth with rain

and makes grass grow on the hills.

God provides food for the cattle

and for the young ravens when they call.

…

God spreads the snow like wool

and scatters the frost like ashes.

God hurls down his hail like pebbles.

Who can withstand his icy blast?

God sends his word and melts them;

God stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

Psalm 147:8-9, 16-18

In the world of the Psalms, natural occurrences were invitations to contemplate God’s power.  In today’s world, though I am grateful for the blessings of science and technology and their capacity to insulate us from the fierceness of nature, it is also harder to connect with the wonder of nature.  I wish we lived in a world where it was easier to notice God amidst the storm.

As we move into Tu Bishvat, the Jewish birthday of the trees and celebration of the natural world, I invite us to explore how we might connect with God through nature.  Even if many of us do not imagine that God directly causes weather patterns, how might we wake ourselves up to look at snow or powerful rain or towering trees and experience wonder?

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote, “Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement. ….get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed.”

This month, I look forward to exploring with you how we might cultivate radical amazement and wonder, and how to connect with God through nature.

May we all be blessed to stay safe and warm, and to live a life filled with wonder.

Rabbi Margie