Shabbat Thoughts The hand of G-d

Our hands are marvelous feats of engineering. Skin, muscles connective tissue, nerves, blood vessels and 27 bones afford us the opportunity of constructing, gripping, shaping, massaging and so much more. We can embrace and we can strike; we can clap, we can uplift and we can bring low.

     Our hands, capable of brute force and causing terror, can caress and provide a loving touch. Imagine what we as a species would be without our hands!  I remember as a child doodling on my hands. Occasionally, I see children drawing pictures or making notes upon their hands. Sometimes nurses and doctors, in the midst of an emergency, quickly scribble upon their hands for they have no time to waste in finding paper as their patients' lives are in their hands

     Now ask yourself how often you have heard or used the phrase "in God's hands."

      I do not imagine that many people think of God as literally having 10 fingers. However, the symbolism of being in God's hands is great.  We instantly appreciate the drama of the gentleness offered, the potential for power, the capacity for reassurance, the artistry affected and so much more.  As Creator, God fashions the universe of which we are a part.  As lawgiver God handed the plaques of the 10 Great Words to us. As artist, God paints each unique sunset; as Lifesource, God cradles each of us at birth and death.  Imagine God as writing a message upon God's own hands -a message intended for each and every one of us- a private, specific and unique message. Now see these hands, as enduring as Heaven itself, reaching out to you. How do you feel?

      In this week's Haftarah we experience God as engraving upon God’s own hands the reassuring message that each of us will have a home in which to dwell. Of all the promises that God could make as we read this Haftarah two weeks after Tisha B'Av, why does Isaiah offer us a picture of God as homebuilder? It may be that Isaiah knew we all need to have a home; a sanctuary in which to feel secure from the threats of marauders, thieves, foes and onslaught. In our own days of the modern 21st Century we see many threats against our individual and communal lives. Do we not all seek a safe and secure home for ourselves and our loved ones? 

     Reflect upon the phrase "Behold I have engraved you upon the palms of my hands, your walls are ever before me"(Isaiah 49:16).  In your own thoughts seek the reassurance of the faith expressed in Isaiah's Shabbat message. I hope we all can take hold of a Divine embrace and feel the gentle and vast power of God's own hands enfolding us in times of fear or need. May it be that God applauds for and rejoices with us in times of celebration as well.

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Steve Silberman

Shabbat Thoughts The hand of G-d

Our hands are marvelous feats of engineering. Skin, muscles connective tissue, nerves, blood vessels and 27 bones afford us the opportunity of constructing, gripping, shaping, massaging and so much more. We can embrace and we can strike; we can clap, we can uplift and we can bring low.

     Our hands, capable of brute force and causing terror, can caress and provide a loving touch. Imagine what we as a species would be without our hands!  I remember as a child doodling on my hands. Occasionally, I see children drawing pictures or making notes upon their hands. Sometimes nurses and doctors, in the midst of an emergency, quickly scribble upon their hands for they have no time to waste in finding paper as their patients' lives are in their hands

     Now ask yourself how often you have heard or used the phrase "in God's hands."

      I do not imagine that many people think of God as literally having 10 fingers. However, the symbolism of being in God's hands is great.  We instantly appreciate the drama of the gentleness offered, the potential for power, the capacity for reassurance, the artistry affected and so much more.  As Creator, God fashions the universe of which we are a part.  As lawgiver God handed the plaques of the 10 Great Words to us. As artist, God paints each unique sunset; as Lifesource, God cradles each of us at birth and death.  Imagine God as writing a message upon God's own hands -a message intended for each and every one of us- a private, specific and unique message. Now see these hands, as enduring as Heaven itself, reaching out to you. How do you feel?

      In this week's Haftarah we experience God as engraving upon God’s own hands the reassuring message that each of us will have a home in which to dwell. Of all the promises that God could make as we read this Haftarah two weeks after Tisha B'Av, why does Isaiah offer us a picture of God as homebuilder? It may be that Isaiah knew we all need to have a home; a sanctuary in which to feel secure from the threats of marauders, thieves, foes and onslaught. In our own days of the modern 21st Century we see many threats against our individual and communal lives. Do we not all seek a safe and secure home for ourselves and our loved ones? 

     Reflect upon the phrase "Behold I have engraved you upon the palms of my hands, your walls are ever before me"(Isaiah 49:16).  In your own thoughts seek the reassurance of the faith expressed in Isaiah's Shabbat message. I hope we all can take hold of a Divine embrace and feel the gentle and vast power of God's own hands enfolding us in times of fear or need. May it be that God applauds for and rejoices with us in times of celebration as well.

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Steve Silberman

Shabbat Thoughts - The hand of G-d

Our hands are marvelous feats of engineering. Skin, muscles connective tissue, nerves, blood vessels and 27 bones afford us the opportunity of constructing, gripping, shaping, massaging and so much more. We can embrace and we can strike; we can clap, we can uplift and we can bring low.

     Our hands, capable of brute force and causing terror, can caress and provide a loving touch. Imagine what we as a species would be without our hands!  I remember as a child doodling on my hands. Occasionally, I see children drawing pictures or making notes upon their hands. Sometimes nurses and doctors, in the midst of an emergency, quickly scribble upon their hands for they have no time to waste in finding paper as their patients' lives are in their hands

     Now ask yourself how often you have heard or used the phrase "in God's hands."

      I do not imagine that many people think of God as literally having 10 fingers. However, the symbolism of being in God's hands is great.  We instantly appreciate the drama of the gentleness offered, the potential for power, the capacity for reassurance, the artistry affected and so much more.  As Creator, God fashions the universe of which we are a part.  As lawgiver God handed the plaques of the 10 Great Words to us. As artist, God paints each unique sunset; as Lifesource, God cradles each of us at birth and death.  Imagine God as writing a message upon God's own hands -a message intended for each and every one of us- a private, specific and unique message. Now see these hands, as enduring as Heaven itself, reaching out to you. How do you feel?

      In this week's Haftarah we experience God as engraving upon God’s own hands the reassuring message that each of us will have a home in which to dwell. Of all the promises that God could make as we read this Haftarah two weeks after Tisha B'Av, why does Isaiah offer us a picture of God as homebuilder? It may be that Isaiah knew we all need to have a home; a sanctuary in which to feel secure from the threats of marauders, thieves, foes and onslaught. In our own days of the modern 21st Century we see many threats against our individual and communal lives. Do we not all seek a safe and secure home for ourselves and our loved ones? 

     Reflect upon the phrase "Behold I have engraved you upon the palms of my hands, your walls are ever before me"(Isaiah 49:16).  In your own thoughts seek the reassurance of the faith expressed in Isaiah's Shabbat message. I hope we all can take hold of a Divine embrace and feel the gentle and vast power of God's own hands enfolding us in times of fear or need. May it be that God applauds for and rejoices with us in times of celebration as well.

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Steve Silberman

Shabbat Thoughts

1)     Each one of us has an opportunity to touch the lives of others. The crisis in Louisiana is heartbreaking! We know the damage that is done by extreme flooding. Please share diapers, wipes, personal hygiene products or cleaning supplies with people in need. Bring them to the Shul and we will arrange transport to Louisiana.We are partnering with Volunteers of America, a service organization which has offices across the US and an affiliate in Baton Rouge.

(Under ordinary circumstances VOA’s two main areas of support include people with intellectual disabilities and abused children. In disaster situations their networks ramp up their collection of and provision of goods and supplies.  100 % of funds donated to VOA for emergency relief go to local need!)

        We must assist those in need. Please support our neighbors in Louisiana!

Those of us who wish to donate money may do so through the Jewish Federation of North America at this secure site. (https://secure-fedweb.jewishfederations.org/page/contribute/baton-rouge-flood-relief-fund)

2)     In two weeks, a new exhibit opens at the History Museum of Mobile. It is an opportunity for us all to learn, open our minds and deepen our hearts. The exhibit, Filming The Camps, consists of film footage and other materials of three award winning film-makers taken during World War II. The museum is seeking volunteer docents to guide the public throughout the exhibit.

      A training session for docents will be held on Thursday, August 25 from10:00a.m.-Noon at the History Museum of Mobile, 111 South Royal Street.

    Those interested may contact Lindy White. Her email address is :Carmen.white14@yahoo.com. Her phone number is 251-301-0268. Volunteer docents are welcome to offer tours according to their own schedules. Each one of us has the ability to touch the lives of others; strangers, friends, neighbors and acquaintances.

How shall you and I touch others this day and tomorrow? Our choice is before us.

May we all pray for shalom for us all.