Post by Mark on Jul 14, 2008 5:40:13 GMT -8
Vaysee Beensoah Ha’Arone
"When the ark would travel, Moses would say, ‘Arise, O Lord, and let Your enemies be scattered, and let them that hate You flee from You.’ For from Zion will go forth the and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Blessed is He, who in His holiness, gave the to His people Israel."
In the traditional synagogue, there is an ornate cabinet that sits above and behind the bema (podium) where those who read the Scriptures will stand. This cabinet is called "the ark" which houses the scroll. The ark is opened and scroll is lifted up high over our heads so that everyone can see. Then, as we sing the Vaysee Beensoah Ha’Arone, the scroll is paraded around and amongst us, up and down the aisles as people reach out and touch the scroll with the corners of their tallit (prayer shawl) or with the binding of their prayer books which they have kissed.
If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
(Deuteronomy 30:10-14)
The power of the Word and the presence of His Spirit is not far away nor for someone else. It is not untouchable nor beyond the reach of any child. Not only is each one of us welcome to come near; but by His love and through His commandments He reaches out to us.
If we are overcome by the enemies that surround us it is because we are blind to the processional that is singing and dancing right in front of us. If we are hunkered down in despair and hopelessness, we have only to stand up and look.
As the passes by, many in the congregation follow after it dancing and singing, twirling and clapping. This is no somber occasion. It is a celebration of goodness. In Moses’ song, Deut 32:47, he says, "For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it."
The is life and love and goodness, power, mercy and hope: and He has given it to us!
"When the ark would travel, Moses would say, ‘Arise, O Lord, and let Your enemies be scattered, and let them that hate You flee from You.’ For from Zion will go forth the and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Blessed is He, who in His holiness, gave the to His people Israel."
In the traditional synagogue, there is an ornate cabinet that sits above and behind the bema (podium) where those who read the Scriptures will stand. This cabinet is called "the ark" which houses the scroll. The ark is opened and scroll is lifted up high over our heads so that everyone can see. Then, as we sing the Vaysee Beensoah Ha’Arone, the scroll is paraded around and amongst us, up and down the aisles as people reach out and touch the scroll with the corners of their tallit (prayer shawl) or with the binding of their prayer books which they have kissed.
If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
(Deuteronomy 30:10-14)
The power of the Word and the presence of His Spirit is not far away nor for someone else. It is not untouchable nor beyond the reach of any child. Not only is each one of us welcome to come near; but by His love and through His commandments He reaches out to us.
If we are overcome by the enemies that surround us it is because we are blind to the processional that is singing and dancing right in front of us. If we are hunkered down in despair and hopelessness, we have only to stand up and look.
As the passes by, many in the congregation follow after it dancing and singing, twirling and clapping. This is no somber occasion. It is a celebration of goodness. In Moses’ song, Deut 32:47, he says, "For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it."
The is life and love and goodness, power, mercy and hope: and He has given it to us!