A message from Rabbi Sara Abrams
On Abraham and Sarah’s sojourn to the land of Canaan, the two have a series of encounters — with the Creator, with the kings of the region, and with Melchizedek, the high priest of the Most High God. They have set out on a journey of faith to a new land where God’s blessing for them will manifest in their lives and in the generations to come. And yet, even after Abraham’s direct blessing from God, he is blessed again later in the chapter by the high priest. Why did Abraham, who was already blessed by God Himself, need to be blessed again by a human?
Like all of us, once we get a sense of our purpose, hobby, interest, or calling — that spark that emerges from within or is implanted in us by God — we still need validation outside of ourselves. Whether it comes from a friend, a colleague, a community member, or a sign from above, we need it to appear in language, in touch, and through the acknowledgment of others.
In our time, so many of us crave spirituality, connection, and community. We know we can find it in nature or, for some of us, in prayer, and yet it takes on greater power when we come together to acknowledge that we are part of a vast expanse that has no start or end point. And yet, we must begin somewhere — with a blessing from above, and a friend below to remind us of our trajectory in a vast and changing world.
We all need that friend or high priest, and we can also be that friend for others. Recently, we tried to provide our Shabbat at Home series. While many signed up to attend, we did not have nearly enough hosts to accommodate everyone. What a positive sign that people want to break bread with one another! But to make that happen, we need more of you who are willing to open your homes and receive others.
It’s a two-way street — of both being blessed and blessing, of being received and giving. So I encourage those of you who have never hosted to step forward and help ensure that all of us receive the blessing. Take your turn in making the Sabbath altar in your home. It provides warmth (and it’s low maintenance — you only need to make the main dish), connection, camaraderie, and community — and we all need that.
So please, become part not just of Shabbat at Home but of creating our community. As a small community, there are so many opportunities to engage your interests — but you have to take the first step. The door is open; the blessing is yours to give and receive.
I look forward to seeing you all in November!
Rabbi Sara