Blog

Last month I had the privilege of traveling with World Pilgrims (part of Atlanta’s Interfaith Coalition Initiative) to Sedona and Canyon De Chelly, Navajo Nation. For a week I experienced the grandeur of the southwest alongside my brothers and sisters of Christian and Muslim faiths. We unpacked our experiences through the lens of our traditions and in the process learned so much about one another. Each day we also had the opportunity to witness or participate in each other’s prayer rituals. I loved learning about the prayers of my fellow travelers and how and when they were offered throughout the day and week.

The other byproduct of that experience was I got a sense of my friends’ spiritual rhythms. Maybe because I am a musician, I have an innate sensitivity to time, both micro (music) and macro (life). Feeling the rhythm of the other, I believe is a step in being able to communicate better. Knowing what time is sacred also helps us create sacred space, a setting in which to have meaningful conversation, to share food or song or even silence. Being in synch is the lesson of Shabbat. We are asked on Shabbat to synchronize our clocks with that of creation and in return, we get to experience the holiness of time in our life. When we make time sacred in the context of community, it is profoundly satisfying.

In a couple of days, I will be in Israel on our congregational women’s trip. One of the things that I love about Israel is being in sync with everyone on Shabbat. From the cab driver to the street vendor, everyone anticipates the arrival of Shabbat, and whether religious or secular, sanctify Shabbat in some way.

I hope this Shabbat brings you a sense of synchronicity-that you are able to share time with others who share the rhythm of life with you, and in doing so, find peace.

Shabbat shalom,

Beth