February 2022
Dear Chevre,
In these dark months of February, I want to share a selection of the beautiful words of Psalm 46. "God is our refuge and strength." What does that mean to you? How do you experience refuge and strength even in the dark, the cold, the pandemic, even with threats to democracy and perhaps personal medical challenges?
This Psalm, like other wisdom sources in our tradition, also reminds us not to live in fear, no matter what we need to face. Reading these kinds of sources was a way that our ancestors stayed grounded and whole no matter what they had to go through. We also have that resource. I welcome you to use the words of Psalm 46 this month as a grounding practice.
Love to all,
Rabbi Julie
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore will we not fear, though the earth do change,
And though the mountains be moved into the heart of the seas;
Though the waters thereof roar and foam,
Though the mountains shake at the swelling thereof.
Selah
There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God,
The holiest dwelling-place of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, at the approach of morning.
Nations were in tumult, kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our high tower.
Selah
[Footnote: You may wonder why the word Selah is part of this Psalm. It is a traditional form of "Amen" that was used in ancient Jewish women's communities as a communal response and is often used today in connection with an Amen, such as "Amen/Selah."]
