The One Room Shul House has been having a great year of learning. This past Sunday we had a lesson on Tefillin, and it gave me such joy to teach our families about this ancient and powerful ritual. I’d like to share with you the letter from God that I shared with the children.
Hi Kids, good to see
You’re showing up for Religious school and to visit ME
Well I really am everywhere one could possibly be
but here in Synagogue, its easiest to see what I see
There are a few things I have asked over the years
That my Jewish families do, to show that they care.
Being Jewish is a mighty task
But like everything else in life, if you don’t LIVE it, it just won’t last.
These are the ways I’ve asked you to follow
So that my call to you isn’t something meaningless and hollow
The way you live the words I send out into your souls
Will guide you to Me and help navigate life’s tolls.
It’s one thing to hear and to think about the things I say
It’s a whole other matter when you choose to live that way.
I’ve given you some instruction but it’s not just a “to do” list
And although I believe these ways of living are best, I never insist.
It’s up to you to decide what is right for you to do
But I am pretty smart and I suggest you check out these ways of being a proactive Jew.
They are not punishments, they are merely My ways
To remind you who you are and to set your soul ablaze
With purpose and meaning, drive and moral core
Living in our Jewish ways makes life so much more.
I ask you first to watch what you eat
Just because it’s here on earth doesn’t mean you should believe
That you should eat anything you want despite the details that reign
Look first at the moral code and how it is framed
Not everything should be eaten, and no suffering should ensue
Not if you want to eat with your heart directing you.
Just because I created animals that entice your hunger
Doesn’t mean you should indulge every appetite, without respect for the wonder
of eating animals and food that are raised without love.
That is not what I want from my view from above.
Just because it can be eaten, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t think
About all of the surrounding details and from them you should not shrink.
Be careful and thoughtful, know where your food derives
And if there is pain caused to anyone, avoid eating their cries.
I also give you Hebrew, it’s a very old language that is true
But all of my Jews know it, and its sounds carry me to you
It’s like a secret language that acts like a mantra to our souls
Just feel the power of the yearnings that have carried these sounds so bold.
This language binds us, one to the other
And it allows us to see our common heritage as sisters and brothers.
And then there’s the mezuzah, we hang it on our door. It’s got our prayers to God, powerfully secured
So, when we enter our homes or when we go out
We never forget who we are or what God shouts out
We are reminded that God is ever love and light
and we are asked to carry this brightness into every corner of night.
Don’t forget says the mezuzah, don’t forget who you are
A messenger of God’s love, My shining star.
You all know the kippah we wear on our heads
To remind us that God is above and that God’s truth is not dead
And of course, the tallit, you all wear them so fine
Creating that space for you and I to find
and sacred space where we can talk just you and Me
The tallit is a place to set your soul free.
And then there’s tefillin, I’ve asked rabbi Julie to share
What it’s about and how strange and wonderful its spiritual fruits bare
It does look funny being wrapped up in these ties
But it's breakfast with God, and it’s a true spiritual high
Tefillin is wrapping Me around your heart reminding you that there’s only one place to start,
here with me centered and true
Tefillin is a magical way to wrap you up as a Jew.
So now I’m going to ask Rabbi Julie to wrap up so you can see
Let her show you this ancient ritual that is a gift to you from me
I know it looks a little funny in these time that we live
But it’s quite beautiful to behold, all that it is
For thousands of years Jews have wrapped themselves in my dreams
One day each of you might want to see how it seems
To draw you close to Me, to your God, your friend
Tefillin is a special way to meet that end.
So, thanks for listening to my Torah today
Be safe be strong as you go on your way
and don’t forget to live these beautiful Jewish ways
They will strengthen your soul as you live out your days.