Kavanah for week of Jan. 29th by Rabbi Yael Levy

Parsha B'Shallah: 

Leaving Egypt, Crossing the sea,

Our ancestors stood in awe

And bowed into gratitude and deep faith.

A moment later they were seized with fear,

Overwhelmed by doubt,

And they cried, longing for what had been.

The Mystery responded by giving them Shabbat. 

Six days you shall work and on the seventh day you shall stop,

You shall rest, you shall be.

Stopping will help you discover what gives you faith and courage. 

Pausing will help you discern which way to go.

Our ancestors sang of faith and courage, victorious arrival.

And they stumbled in bitterness, doubt and fear.

They bring us to the edge of the sea again and again,

Instructing us to pause in awe

And then step forward with fierce willingness

Into the hands of the unknown.