God is all around us. To our right, to our left, behind, before and above. In this week’s parsha, God stations Himself, in the form of a pillar of cloud/fire, before us to lead us, and then behind us, to protect us. Then, as we walk through the split waters of the Red Sea, the waters themselves surround us, forming walls to our right and to our left. We are surrounded and protected, nurtured and guided. We only need to take some time to feel this Presence, feel how it buoys us when we are down, leads us forward when we stumble, protects us in times of fear and danger, and most of all, accompanies us through thick and thin.
Below are two related quotes that I find inspiring:
From Sha’ar haKavvanah, attributed to Azriel of Gerona (13th century), translated by Daniel Matt in The Essential Kabbalah :
All around you – in every corner and on every side – is light. Turn to your right, and you will find shining light; turn to your left, splendor, a radiant light. Between them, up above, the light of the Presence. Surrounding that, the light of life. Above it all, a crown of light.
From the Bedtime Shma:
Michael is at my right hand.
Gabriel, at my left.
In front of me, Uriel,
Behind me, Raphael,
And Above my head is the Presence of God.
And back to our parsha:
Vehamayim lahem homah meyiminam umismolam. And the waters were for them a wall on their right side and on their left.
May we always feel accompanied.
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