There is a blessing that we say after we eat most foods that says: "I offer blessings to You Dear One, the Source of Blessings, who creates great multitudes of souls with their deficiencies, for all that you have brought into being, blessed is the life of the worlds." (Translation of "Baruch Atah Hashem" from Path of Blessings by Rabbi Marsha Prager.)
I like that name for the Holy Blessed One: "Life of the Worlds".
We are reading the book of Exodus now. We know that the Life of the Worlds appears to us is all different forms. Early on in the book of Exodus, the Life of the Worlds appears to Moshe in the form of a burning bush which is not consumed by the fire which it hosts. The Life of the Worlds tells Moshe to go down into Mitzrayim (Egypt, the root means "narrow") and tell the Master of Constriction (Par'oh) to let to Children of Israel go free. Moshe doesn't think Par'oh will listen, so the Life of the Worlds gives Moshe a sign to show. He turns his staff into a snake. But first the Life of the Worlds asks Moshe "Moshe, what's in your hand?"
We know that The Life of the Worlds knows what’s in Moshe’s hand when She asks “Moishelle, what’s that in your little handelle?” The thing is, does Moshe know? Well, does he? The power and ability to perceive are incredible mixes of grace and effort. On the one hand, we need to work and commit to what we want and what we know is right, on the other hand, who knows really where the strength and support come from? That “who knows/ unknown place” that’s the Holy Name, blessed be She.
Eliyahu Dror
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Eliyahu Dror is a former student of Yeshivat Bat Ayin. He is currently working for the Yeshiva as Administrative Director. |