On Journeys - New Video

Yeviuni - Lead me, Guide me, Direct me

Yeviuni - Rabbi Josh Warshawsky and Coleen Dieker

The last verse of the book of Shemot, which we read this week in parashat Pekudei is:

כִּי֩ עֲנַ֨ן ה׳ עַֽל־הַמִּשְׁכָּן֙ יוֹמָ֔ם וְאֵ֕שׁ תִּהְיֶ֥ה לַ֖יְלָה בּ֑וֹ לְעֵינֵ֥י כָל־בֵּֽית־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּכָל־מַסְעֵיהֶֽם׃

“For over the Tabernacle a cloud of the LORD rested by day, and fire would appear in it by night, in the view of all the house of Israel throughout their journeys (40:38).

This journey that the people of Israel have embarked on has already been so much more complicated and difficult than they could possibly have imagined. What began with a triumphant march across dry land with waters walled up around them has diverged into the chaos and melee of the golden calf and its aftermath and multiple moments of loss of faith.

In a world of infinite pathways and constant information bombardment, how can we find the right path? How can we find our way? For the people of Israel, after brokenness comes repair. They have a a guide, a pillar of cloud by day and a fire by night to direct them and remind them that they are not alone, even in the wilderness.

That’s what the words of this particular psalm call out to us:

שְׁלַח־אוֹרְךָ וַאֲמִתְּךָ הֵמָּה יַנְחוּנִי יְבִיאוּנִי אֵל הַר קדְשֶׁךָ וְאֵל מִשְׁכְּנוֹתֶיךָ
Shlach orcha v’amit’cha heimah yanchuni, Yevi’uni el-har kodshecha. Yevi’uni el mishkenotecha
Send forth Your Light and Your Truth, it is they who will lead me towards holiness, towards Your Holy Home. (Psalms 43:3)

This was the first melody that Coleen and I wrote for this new album. We discovered these words, which had been waiting for us on this page in the psalms. We sat with them for a long time and thought, “how are they guiding us? what are they trying to convey? How can the melody carry them even further, deepening their meaning?”

Whenever we conclude a book of the Torah (like we will this Shabbat) we say, “חזק חזק ונתחזק” Chazak chazak v’nitchazek, “Be strong be strong and may you be strengthened”

As you listen and watch, try to feel the emotion in the music. Try to feel the seeking for guidance, the comfort one might feel once you find what you seek. This week, may all those who seek guidance find what they are looking for, and may light and truth lead the way.

Shabbat Shalom,

Josh Warshawsky

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