The great German Jewish philosopher Franz Rosenzweig said that we relate to and experience God in three ways: Creation, Revelation, and Redemption. The Hebrew Bible (Tanakh)’s depictions of the Sea encompass all three themes, and add one that he left out: destruction.
כִּֽי־בָרֵ֣ךְ אֲבָרֶכְךָ֗ וְהַרְבָּ֨ה אַרְבֶּ֤ה אֶֽת־זַרְעֲךָ֙ כְּכוֹכְבֵ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְכַח֕וֹל אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־שְׂפַ֣ת הַיָּ֑ם
I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand upon the seashore.
–Genesis 22:17
מִקֹּל֨וֹת ׀ מַ֤יִם רַבִּ֗ים אַדִּירִ֣ים מִשְׁבְּרֵי־יָ֑ם אַדִּ֖יר בַּמָּר֣וֹם יְהוָֽה׃
Above the thunder of the mighty waters, more majestic than the breakers of the sea, majestic on high is YHWH.
-Psalms 93:4
From Nava Tehila, Jerusalem community for Jewish Renewal whose musical ensemble performs around the world.
It’s a Jewish spiritual practice to say a berachah, a blessing, when experiencing an awesome, beautiful, or startling sight (or sound like thunder, or delicious scent) in nature. When I suddenly get to that first view of the ocean, I always catch my breath at the grandeur and beauty of the sight. All of my senses are opened up by the vista, the crash of the waves, the fresh ocean air.
With my birthday coming up, I like to take stock. I’ve added a new Pathway (post) to the Gateway of Seasons: Sephirah: Reviewing Your Life in Seven-Year Cycles. It’s all about counting and understanding your life in 7 year cycles, and you don’t have to wait for your birthday to put it into practice.
Our Hebrew months got their current names in Babylonia over 2500 years ago and are associated with the signs of the Zodaic. Yes, those odd dates listed on your horoscope should be switched out for the Hebrew months, and the signs have resonances in some of the Jewish holidays, for example, Libra/scales and weighing our deeds in the month of Tishrei, which brings Rosh Hashanah. (more…)
I’m so honored that Stephen Jurovics, author of Hospitable Planet: Faith, Action, and Climate Change, has contributed a thought-provoking post about Seasons and Climate Change, which you will find in the Gateway of Seasons. The Torah’s message of a spiritual connection to our earth, and our own imperative of survival require us to be guardians of our planet.
I’ve added a gallery to the Gateway of Gardens, featuring photos from a neighboring synagogue that has its own farm and even raises chickens! They’ve promised me more photos from the growing season. Please comment to let me know about other synagogues or Jewish organizations with great community gardens. (Click on title to view this post with comment section.)
I have just opened a new Gateway: The Sea, devoted to the spiritual symbolism of oceans, seas, and lakes. At the same time, posts continue to be added to existing Gateways, so check this page to find out what’s new, and subscribe to our monthly email for updates. Wellsprings of Wisdom is kind of like the “Slow Food” movement for your soul. Enjoy watching new Gateways open and fill with new pathways (posts) over time, and seeing this site unfold.
Your comments, especially in the Sharing Circle in each Gateway, are welcome to make this site more interactive and communal.
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