The essential ingredient sustaining the covenant between God and Israel is chesed -  compassion formed in unconditional love, compassion that does not need to be earned or justified.  Marc concludes with a blessing that our journey through the Omer open us to the possibility of real transformation – to a spirituality which includes and embraces human imperfection as the starting point for healing and justice.  As we approach Shavuot, may we cultivate chesed so we may stand together at Sinai in justice, wholeness and peace.

Join Rabbi Sheila Weinberg for a meditation on, and exploration of, what it means to experience life as b’tzelem Elohim – created in the divine image.  We return to the beginning, to where it all starts, Chapter 1 of Genesis; recognizing that there can be no liberation from bondage without the affirmation of the inherent dignity of the human being.  This understanding is articulated in this verse – And God created Adam b’tzalmo – in God’s image, male and female, the one being was created in the divine image.  This might be the most important text in Torah.  This might be the root core out of which all else emerges.  What does it mean?  What does it mean to you?

Join Rabbi Sheila Weinberg in contemplating Sh’ma Koleynu – Hear our voices.  This is the reverse of Sh’ma Yisrael, when our plea to hear is directed to ourselves; here, Sh’ma is directed towards the source of mercy and compassion - Adonai Eloheinu.  It is a communal project to ask God to hear our voices – the inchoate layers of feeling, need, hope – that join together and become our communal offering.  We are asking for divine presence, love, and support. [5:52]

Join Rabbi Sheila Weinberg in this series of short podcasts in preparation for the High Holy Days.

“Achat Sha’alti me’eit Adonai, otah avakeish; shivti b’veit Adonai kol y’mei chayai, lachazot b’noam Adonai ulvakeir b’heichalo.  One thing I ask of Adonai, for this do I yearn: to dwell in the house of Adonai all the days of my life, to see the goodness of Adonai and to visit God’s sanctuary​.”

“One thing I ask of Adonai only that do I seek.”  Imagine if you could ask one thing of Adonai; imagine if reality, life, all the powers and resources in existence could grant you one thing, and one thing only.  Open your mind to the endless possibilities that could be incorporated into this singular ask.  Would you ask for something?  Some person?  Health?  Wealth?  Power?  Qualities of heart and mind?  Intelligence?  Courage?  Patience?  Honor? 

Psalm 27 is recited from Elul through Sukkot – it is a time of asking and seeking, a time to get clear – what do I really want?  What am I honestly looking for?  The High Holy Days are a personal time – it is about each person – the universal human condition.  What am I asking for?  The Psalmist answered like this – ‘to live in the house of Adonai all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of Adonai, and to frequent God’s temple.’  What do you seek?  What are you asking for?

Join Rabbi Myriam Klotz for a relaxing period of embodied spiritual practice.  Experience restorative yoga - a kind of yoga that involves gentle, passive stretching, allowing the nervous system to quiet down and experience deep rest.  Explore how, in stressful times, we can find our ways to the waters of quiet and repose, restoring the soul to a place of ease and well being.  Find renewal in slowing down, letting the body rest in stillness and quiet – experience a deep place of rest in the body and the breath.  (12:05)

Join Rabbi Jonathan Slater for a discussion of the practice of engaging in and maintaining a spiritual practice; whether prayer, meditation or yoga.  Throughout the latter part of the summer and into the fall we read through the book of Deuteronomy/Devarim, where Moses is speaking to the children of Israel, preparing them for entry into the land of Israel and their life there, warning them of the dangers that they will face once they are settled; how difficult it will be to maintain a spiritual awareness, a clarity of mind, once they are settled and prospering.  Moses is also speaking to us - addressing the difficulties that we have in maintaining a spiritual practice, in remaining connected to our own lives, moment to moment; living this moment as it is, just as it is, just as we are.  In this time of preparation for the High Holy Days, we engage again in spiritual practice and turn our hearts to the Holy One, to our truth, to the truth of our lives, so we can live honestly, lovingly, and righteously in the present moment, and ask those essential questions in our lives - who are we now? who are we to become? (10:05)

Join Rabbi Sheila Weinberg for this meditation on shalom.  Every day is a good day to pray for shalom.  Our most important prayers are sealed with the prayer for shalom – Birkat Hamazon, the Amidah, the priestly blessing.  We make our best efforts to work for peace in the world.  You are invited to welcome peace, shalom, to enter your body, heart, and mind.  This is a meditation for shalom, a prayer from shalom – it moves from the inside to the outside.  Shalom is vast and open, receptive, spacious, it does not grab; it holds everything.  Invite rest, peace, shalom, into your body, and into your life.

As we approach Shavuot, explore the physical experience of revelation with Rabbi Myriam Klotz.  What is the embodied, sensory, experience of a moment of revelation of the sacred in the world? 

With the season, we return to the Biblical moment of divine revelation through the gift of the Torah – a kinetic and dynamic moment - standing at Sinai the people saw the voices of divine revelation – all at once, an each in their own way, depending on their capacity.

In this embodied meditation, you are invited you to explore your own sense of standing, and of hearing.  To simply stand, to just be aware of your hearing, of your sensing, is an invitation to experiencing the truth of this body, at this moment, right now – that allows us to be alert and awake to the divine mystery of being.  Use this practice to attune to a deep listening to the inner movements of your unique spirit.