This past Tuesday evening our congregation celebrated Shavuot, with guests from Gishrei Shalom in Southington. It is it is a beautiful holiday; at once a harvest festival and the Season of Revelation hearkening back to the Israelites first hearing the words of our ancient covenant at Mt. Sinai. After seven weeks of counting the omer and, step by step, coming closer to this moment, we find that in the words of a past student of mine: “the view is spectacular.”
Making the festival even more beautiful was the group that gathered in the Social Hall to mark it. We were individuals, friends and families ranging in age from 9 to… older than 9! What we held in common was a desire to be together for creative learning, reflection and naturally, cheesecake!
Adding to the wonder of Shavuot is the traditional reading of the Scroll of Ruth, a gorgeous, lyrical story of a young Moabite woman who from her painful past, helps to fashion a hopeful future for her newfound family. Central to the narrative is Ruth’s choice to become part of the Jewish people, a choice rooted in her love of and devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi. In this way, Ruth’s story is also one of revelation, demonstrating to us all these years later, just how powerful relationships are, and just how much potential they have to infuse our lives with lasting meaning.
Ruth’s story teaches us about the transformative power of kindness. It demonstrates ways in which families are both born made. In Ruth’s life and in ours, grief and mourning reshape us, and decisions we make take us places we may never have expected to go. No wonder the story of Ruth is held especially dear among many Jews by choice; individuals who find that Judaism is their true calling, bringing them home.
We may not have literally stayed awake all night, but I think we were all awakened and reawakened to the just how powerful cultivating an intimate relationship with the wisdom of our tradition, and with each other. My hope is that we will continue to mirror the experience of our ancestors and stay attentive – in every sense – to new revelations of Torah and new harvests to come.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Gutterman
