Shabbat

[days_unfolding]

My mother’s house is across the street from a local synagogue. Earlier tonight, I was looking out the front window idly watching people drive up, and remembering a time when I made the mistake of letting the dog in the front yard on Friday night.

Some of the guys were walking over, and Cubby (the dog) would not shut up. She kept pace along the fence, barking and barking. I kept yelling, “Cubby, stop it.” (Bark, bark, bark.) “Cubby, come here.” (Bark, bark, bark.) “Cubby, let’s go inside.” (Bark, bark, bark. She wasn’t buying.) I was completely appalled and kicking myself for not thinking. However, the guys were doing an admirable job of ignoring Cubby (and my yelling at Cubby). I was impressed.

I admire the idea of walking over to services. Somehow, I would think the act of walking would pull it off of the to-do list more than driving (first I’m here, then I’m there, and then I’m somewhere else…) And that’s kind of the point.

No dog problems tonight. When my mom got home, Cubby and I sat in my mom’s gazebo, and my mom and I talked about her day, and what I wanted to do in the rest of the time that I’m here, and similar topics. She said that she has really enjoyed having me here and will miss me, partially because she’ll just miss me, but also because she doesn’t take the time to sit and relax when she gets home when she’s alone. And she has no one to wrap up the day (or week) with.

The end of the week was feeling surprisingly poignant to me. Part of it, no doubt, is because I’m almost at the end of my vacation. (I leave on Sunday.) I had tons of plans for this week, much of which didn’t actually happen.

But isn’t that always the case? The mark of a good vacation is having as many reasons to come back as to go to the destination in the first place. The Shabbats, vacations, sabbaticals are momentary pauses in the flow of our lives. The real living happens in the rest of the week.

Comments

[rillifane.livejournal.com]

Vay’hiy erev vay’hiy voqeir yom ha-shishiy
And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day

Vay’khulu ha-shamayim v’ha-aretz v’khol tzva’am
The heavens and the earth were finished, the whole host of them

Vay’khal Elohiym ba-yom ha-shviyiy melakhto asher asah
And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made

vayishbot ba-yom ha-shviyiy mikhol melakhto asher ashah
and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made

Vayivarekh Elohiym et yom ha-shviyiy vayiqadeish oto
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it

kiy vo shavat mikhol melakhto asher bara Elohiym la’asot
because in it he had rested from all his work which God created and done

Barukh atah Adonai Elohaynu melekh ha-olam, borei p’riy ha-gafen. (Amein)
Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine. (Amen)

Barukh atah Adonai Elohaynu melekh ha-olam
Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe

asher qid’shanu b’mitzvotayv v’ratzah vanu
who sanctifies us with his commandments, and has been pleased with us

v’shabat qadsho b’ahavah u’v’ratzon hinchilanu, zikaron l’ma’aseh v’reishit
You have lovingly and willingly given us Your holy shabbat as an inheritance, in memory of creation

Kiy hu yom t’chilah l’miqra’ey qodesh, zeikher liytziyat mitzrayim
The shabbat is the first among our holy days, and a remembrance of our exodus from Egypt

Kiy vanu vacharta v’otanu qidashta mikol ha’amiym
Indeed, You have chosen us and made us holy among all peoples

v’shabat qadsh’kha b’ahavah u’v’ratzon hin’chal’tanu
and have willingly and lovingly given us Your holy shabbat for an inheritance

Barukh atah Adonai, m’qadesh ha-shabat. (Amein)
Blessed are You, who sanctifies the shabbat (Amen)

[days-unfolding.livejournal.com]

Rillifane, I'm continually amazed by how much you know. Thanks for your append.

Re:

[rillifane.livejournal.com]

I grew up in a Jewish neighborhood in New York. I learned Hebrew along with all the other boys despite not being Jewish.