Anan V'arafel Video Release - Harnessing Our Power.

Harnessing Our Power.

Anan V'Arafel - Josh Warshawsky

Guide the Fire

Dear Friends,
In Kabbalat Shabbat we sing, “Eish l’fanav teilech u’telahet” A fire bursts forth before the Holy One and blazes…” This fire is all-consuming. It is raw and uncontrolled, seemingly untamable. 

The forces of nature are powerful. They can overwhelm us and overpower us. They can cause harm, but they can also bring hope. This year, especially in California where I live, we have seen the power of fire to destroy. But in this week’s parasha, Beshalach, we see the power of fire and clouds to protect, to keep us safe. As the people of Israel leave Egypt, the Torah says, 

"וה’ הֹלֵךְ֩ לִפְנֵיהֶ֨ם יוֹמָ֜ם בְּעַמּ֤וּד עָנָן֙ לַנְחֹתָ֣ם הַדֶּ֔רֶךְ וְלַ֛יְלָה בְּעַמּ֥וּד אֵ֖שׁ לְהָאִ֣יר לָהֶ֑ם לָלֶ֖כֶת יוֹמָ֥ם וָלָֽיְלָה"

“The Holy One went before them in a pillar of cloud by day, to guide them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light, that they might travel day and night (Exodus 13:21).” 
This protection is in front of them, leading the way and guiding them forward. But in a surprising moment, the danger comes from behind them, instead, in the form of the Egyptians chasing after them. And in that moment, we read: 

"וַיִּסַּ֞ע מַלְאַ֣ךְ הָאֱלֹקִים הַהֹלֵךְ֙ לִפְנֵי֙ מַחֲנֵ֣ה יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ מֵאַחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם וַיִּסַּ֞ע עַמּ֤וּד הֶֽעָנָן֙ מִפְּנֵיהֶ֔ם וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֖ד מֵאַחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃. וַיָּבֹ֞א בֵּ֣ין ׀ מַחֲנֵ֣ה מִצְרַ֗יִם וּבֵין֙ מַחֲנֵ֣ה יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיְהִ֤י הֶֽעָנָן֙ וְהַחֹ֔שֶׁךְ וַיָּ֖אֶר אֶת־הַלָּ֑יְלָה."

The angel of God, who had been going ahead of the Israelite army, now moved and followed behind them; and the pillar of cloud shifted from in front of them and took up a place behind them, and it came between the army of the Egyptians and the army of Israel. Thus there was the cloud with the darkness, and it lit up the night.” How can a cloud light up the night? The Holy One harnessed the flames that were guiding Israel, and used them to protect Israel from behind.

Sometimes it feels like fire is all around us, pushing us in a direction we don’t want to go and threatening to overpower us, but our task is to harness the flames, let their embers warm us and their light inspire us, while we root them in justice and righteousness, “צדק ומשפט מכון כסאו,” “justice and righteousness must be the foundation of it’s throne.” On this Shabbat Shirah and MLK day weekend, let us let the flames of the souls of those in need guide us to pursue a world whose foundation is held up by righteousness and justice. 

Shabbat Shalom,
Josh

This track is sponsored by Peter Detkin