Shabbat Shalom!
This week, we begin the second book of Torah – the book of Shemot (Exodus.) In Chapter three, one of the most dramatic scenes in Torah unfolds. An angel of God appears to Moses in the form of a “burning bush.” As we read this dramatic story several questions come to mind: How did Moses know it was an angel? Why was God revealed to Moses and not someone else? What was it that Moses really saw?
Bachya Ibn Pekuda, a medieval Jewish philosopher and commentator way that Moses’ perception of what occurred at the burning bush was on three levels. First, Moses saw the fire itself. After looking closer, he was able to see the angel of God. Finally, after looking within the bush and within himself, Moses was able to see the Shechina – the indwelling presence of God.
Following Bachya’s interpretation, the flames that Moses saw were spiritual flames. These were flames he kindled within himself and which he attempted to kindle within the children of Israel.
When we see natural disasters or occurrences, we usually walk away. Rarely, if ever, do we stop to look deeply within the flames for long enough to begin to see the presence of God.
Finding God within the personal flames within our lives is difficult for many of us. We are quick to say “where is God?” or “Why did God let this happen?” We should not wait for the flames to consume us. God is within each and every one of us. In the midst of trying times in our life we can, if we look, find the comforting presence of God. We just need to let God in.
Perhaps what makes Moses so great is that he found the room and ability to let God into his life in the most difficult of times. Moses was in the midst of great personal flames – he had fled his secure life in Egypt after killing the taskmaster. He had learned of his true identity and was now more alone than at any time in his life. He could have just walked away from the bush, as many must have done before him. Yet, he didn’t. He rose above his personal flames, looked deep within the flames before him and found within them the presence of God and the strength that presence could give him. May we let Moses be our teacher – may we follow his lead.
Shabbat Shalom!
