Shabat Thought

Shabbat Shalom,



This morning I read from the Prayer Siddur these words that one of our students said was a blessing to her. I share them with all of you who were present and those of you that were absent. Our thoughts and study this morning centered in large part on the marriage ceremony, the covenant of marriage, the Ketubah and our betrothal. From 2 Cor. 1:22, 5:5 and Ephesians 1:13-14 we see in the words of Paul that the Holy Spirit is the surety, the promise, the commitment of God, of Jesus, the groom to His bride, the church. This portion from the Siddur speaks of the bride, of the Beloved of God. We are the Beloved of God!



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Shabbat is a day of freedom and peace, a celebration of life and creation. May it open our eyes to the goodness we have attained, and our hearts to the goodness we may yet achieve.

Let moments of holiness enter the world, uniting matter and spirit in the joy of wholeness, as we welcome Shabbat, the day of days.

Beloved, come to meet the bride;

Beloved, come to greet Shabbat.

"Keep" and "Remember": a single command the Only God caused us to hear; the Eternal One, His name is One; His are honor and glory and praise.

Beloved...

Come with me to meet Shabbat, for every fountain of blessing. Still it flows, as from the start; the last of days, for which the first was made.

Beloved...

Awake, awake, your light has come! Arise, shine, awake and sing: the Eternal's glory dawns upon you.

Beloved...

Enter in peace, O crown of your husband; enter in gladness, enter in joy. Come to the people that keeps its faith. Enter, O bride! Enter, O bride!

Beloved...

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Here, time and place invite our commitment to the ancient purposes that are our present hopes. Now, time and place are one, bringing promise of triumph over anguish and despair. And when we shall have gone from this place on our separate ways, may our words and promise bring fulfillment and peace.

May our words and promises become deeds, bringing fulfillment and peace.

In this sanctuary we seek to free ourselves from the fears and conflicts that estrange us from one another.

May our words and thoughts give us hope and strength.

We therefore acclaim the eternal power in the universe that helps us to grow in understanding and love, and leads us to freedom.

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Take these words and meditate on them in your heart and draw ever closer to the One you love.