In the Midst of Building

I shared the following as a part of our "Report from the South" Shabbat. For more insight on our efforts to rebuild the areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina, visit here.

We’re in the midst of building...

We’re in the midst of building… building a house for God. That is the Israelites’ task in the Torah this week. It is called, Tetzaveh literally, “you shall command.” Moses, you shall command the Israelites, how to build the Tent of Meeting, the chamber for you to direct your questions, prayers, and concerns and in doing so cause my presence to reside among you – because it is within you – funneled to this spot that will move with you.

You shall build a sanctuary.

We’re in the midst of building… building a house for God. That was our friends’ task last week. They felt commanded to trek to an area more forgotten with each passing year. They travelled there to rebuild dreams and livelihoods. Tonight we have heard about the camaraderie and exhaustion, the hope and despair, the whirlwind of emotions that still storm over the Gulf.

You shall build a shelter.

We’re in the midst of building…building a house for God. That is our task next week. We are continuously commanded to stake a foundation, plow aside weeds of apathy, dig beneath political rhetoric, lay bricks of conviction.

You shall build a future.

We know the song, Bashana Haba’ah. Bashana haba’ah, neishev al hamirpeset v’nispor tziporim nod’dot...

But we might not know the translation. It is perfect for tonight with this idea of building:

Next year

We'll​ sit on the porch
And count migrating​ birds

Child​ren on vacation
Will play tag
Betwe​en the house and the fields

You will yet see, you will yet see
How good it will be
Next year

Red grapes
Will ripen 'til the evening
And will be served chilled to the table

And languid winds
Will carry to the crossroad​s
Old newspaper​s and a cloud

You will yet see, you will yet see
How good it will be
Next year

Next year
We will spread out our hands
Towar​ds the radiant light

A white heron
Like a light will spread her wings
And within them the sun will rise

You will yet see, you will yet see
How good it will be
Next year