Shma2

The Sh'ma is the central prayer of Jewish life, an affirmation that our God is Everything-That-Is-Was-and-Will-Be, the One Sovereign Reality of the Universe. Not long ago, I had the privilege of leading a beautiful community in reciting this prayer using a particular approach I learned at my home congregation. Everyone approaches the words as they are moved -- some faster, some slower, some sooner, some later. We create a sea of sound -- all different, but all one, all focused on love and awe of Existence. The experience left me trembling, tears streaming down my face, profoundly connected to the people in the room and the Divine Presence we had drawn into our midst. And grateful beyond words.