The letters we received last week from our neighboring churches meant the world. Words like, “heartfelt,” “concern,” “support,” and “we hold you in our prayers,” from the UU of Amherst, North Presbyterian, and Zion United UCC brought a deep sense of appreciation from our Shir Shalom community. To the spiritual leaders of those communities – Rev. Buhite, Rev. Hennessy and Rev. Duffy, we are extremely grateful. I think we didn’t realize just how isolated and alone we were feeling until the words of our friends brought those emotions home for us.
In this week’s Torah portion, Lech Lecha, our ancestors are offered a promise of blessings not only in that time, but in the future as well. Looking closely at that essential Brit, covenant, Abraham and Sarah receive in Genesis 12, and you can see how all of those blessings come in relationship with the other nations of the world. This is especially true in the final verse of the covenant where God says, “I will bless those who bless you, curse the one who curses you. And all the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you.”
Just as in Biblical times, we live in relation to the people around us. We want to be seen, we want to be heard, and we want to be understood. This is especially true considering the events of the past few weeks. We are not fine, and we may not be fine for some time. To have our friends acknowledge that pain means the world to us. When you see members of those communities next, please let them know just how grateful we are.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Alex