The summer is a time to rest, relax, enjoy the outdoors, and hopefully have time to be attentive to all of nature’s wonders. While in the Poconos this past summer, I was excited to see hummingbirds, shooting stars, and a full moon.
In Wildwood, it was the beautiful sunset and the cleverness of the ocean seagulls who swooped down to catch their prey in the water. On a guided tour at the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor, it was a chance to learn about the plants and aquatic animals in the marshland, and even get a taste of one of the salty grasses.
For people of the Jewish faith, Moses is called “Rabbenu” (our teacher) in Hebrew. He is considered by the rabbis to be the most important of the Jewish prophets.
Moses was a simple shepherd by profession. One day, while tending to his flock, he came upon a bush that was in flames but did not burn up. As Moses stared at this awesome sight, God spoke to him for the first time.
Bible commentators usually explain that God used the burning bush to attract Moses’ attention, but suppose you were God and could do anything you wanted – split an ocean, make the sun stand still, or set up a pillar of fire. Compared to such spectacular displays, a burning bush is rather unimpressive.
Why did God choose such a modest miracle?
Perhaps the burning bush wasn’t a miracle, but a test. God wanted to find out if Moses could see mystery in something as ordinary as a bush on fire. Moses had to watch the flames long enough to realize that the branches were not being consumed, and that something amazing was happening.
Once God saw that Moses was able to pay attention, God spoke to him.
The ancient rabbis provide a special memory device to help us to remember and pay attention to elements that we often miss. It is called a “berach,” or a blessing. It begins in Hebrew with the words “baruch atah adonai (praised are You), elohenu melech ha’olam (Sovereign of the Universe).”
Then we add words appropriate for the occasion like, “Who brings forth bread from the earth” or “who spreads the shelter of peace over us.” There is even a blessing for seeing the ocean, “Praised are You, God, who made the great sea.”
Each time we say a blessing, we say to ourselves, “Pay attention. Something awesome is happening all around us.” Then we realize that the ordinary world conceals mysteries.
Jewish tradition teaches that every Jew is responsible for saying 100 blessings daily. Why did the rabbis set this particular number? They surely wanted us to be sensitive to the beauty and joy of the world God has given us, by looking for opportunities to praise God and show our thanks for the magnificence of the world.
Don’t let life pass you by. Look for opportunities to savor it. Never take life for granted.
I hope that you will work on paying attention, and continue to look for opportunities to recite blessings throughout the days and months ahead. In doing so, you will have more spiritual moments, and uncover the wonders of our seemingly ordinary world.
Don’t let the world pass you by. Life is too short to be missed. Make every day count. Don’t forget to count your blessings, too.
As we are about to celebrate the Jewish New Year of 5780, I want to wish you all a year of peace, health, joy, fulfillment, and blessing.
ED. NOTE: Rabbi Isaacs is rabbi at Beth Judah Temple, Wildwood. He invites questions emailed to his website, www.rabbiron.com
