Balak

How good it is to see the light of a new day

To witness the separation of darkness from light

To give thanks every morning for all the wonders of Bereshit

the Infinite One has stretched forth

the earth upon the waters,

brought order out of chaos.

we acknowledge every act of creation as miraculous.

Uttered by the lips of one sent to curse us,

we sing mah tovu as part of our morning blessings

“How goodly are your tents”

Yes, our encampment is a place of holiness inside

ourselves and within our communities,

in Israel and in the diaspora

We are the people of The One God

We are the people of the Covenant

who stand for righteousness and act with kindness,

We are about to enter the land

God has promised us

in the most tragic month of the calendar

they say the roots of Elul are in Tammuz

we are use to these Jewish paradoxes

we feel our sadness deeply

but that will not deter us or dampen our will

the Ancient One is the Transforming Presence,

the Fount of Wisdom and Compassion

From Hashem we find inspiration and strength.

By Cathy Ostroff