While this Torah portion (and book) is known as Numbers in the Torah due to the census, in Hebrew it is known as Bamidbar-- the wilderness. I have long been fascinated by the fact that it was in the wilderness that the Torah was given. For me, this concept provides a basis for my spiritual longing to be in nature. I spent my 21st birthday with two dear friends, camping in Midbar Yehuda under the stars. This experience lent itself to the inexplicable, indescribable and yet undeniable sense of connection and even unity of creation. There, under the light of thousands of stars where nature is mostly untouched, in its innate state, away from the cares or stresses of "civilization" everything seems clearer.
To celebrate all things wild and free this week, I am suggesting a menu of wild rice, wild salmon or some other wild fish, wild greens if you have them, and maybe a packable bar like desert suitable for a journey. You might even consider my girls favourites-- almost smore brownies (aka Mississippi Mud Brownies) which are reminiscent of any campfire, and for my girls, Shabbat dinner at Ramah Darom. Click here for the recipe.
As I began with thoughts about the wilderness, during this turbulent week, I would like to close by saying that there is no where that my soul ever feels at peace as it does in Israel. This week my heart has been aching with Israel under attack. Regardless of our politics, true peace will never come from war. Burning, desecrating holy places can never be associated with a higher purpose. Join me in praying for peace and security, for maintaining hope in shared values of humanity, civility, sanctuary and mostly for shalom.
שַׁ֭אֲלוּ שְׁל֣וֹם יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם יִ֝שְׁלָ֗יוּ אֹהֲבָֽיִךְ׃
יְהִֽי־שָׁל֥וֹם בְּחֵילֵ֑ךְ שַׁ֝לְוָ֗ה בְּאַרְמְנוֹתָֽיִךְ׃
לְ֭מַעַן אַחַ֣י וְרֵעָ֑י אֲדַבְּרָה־נָּ֖א שָׁל֣וֹם בָּֽךְ׃
לְ֭מַעַן בֵּית־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ אֲבַקְשָׁ֖ה ט֣וֹב לָֽךְ׃
Pray for the well-being of Jerusalem; “May all those who love you be at peace.
May there be well-being within your spaces, peace in your sacred places.”
For the sake of my family and my neighbors, I pray for your well-being;
for the sake of the house of God, I seek for you goodness.
(Psalms 122:6-8)
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