Sanctuary

It starts slow, just one or two voices. The opening notes are high enough to hear with strong breaths and attention-getting intentions behind them. Within three or four syllables, the rest have caught on and joined in. Fifty or so voices, of all musical abilities and ranges, swell together in harmonies that seem only to appear when we're together, inspired by our love for each other as individuals and together, drawing out the exact right notes from each of us. Some of us close our eyes to fully absorb the beauty of the slow, clear sounds. These words, intended to praise God for the meal we just prepared and consumed, seem to also praise God for bringing us together and nourishing us with spirituality and community. I listen with the bittersweet presence of someone fully enjoying and yet knowing it is fleeting and we will soon be back home after our weekend away, looking forward to every other Friday when we can catch glimpses of this magic again.

Brich rachamana 
malka d'alma 
ma'arey d'hai pita
("Blessed is the merciful one, ruler of the world, creator of this bread")*

You are the source of
life for all that is
and your blessing
flows through me

Oh Lord prepare me
to be a sanctuary,
pure and holy, tried and true,
and in thanksgiving
I'll be a living
sanctuary for you

Va'asuli mikdash
v'shachanti b'tocham
V'anachnu n'varech ya
me'atah v'ad olam.
("Build for me a holy place so that I might dwell within. And we will praise you G-d from now until forever")*

*Translations provided by Velveteen Rabbi, Rabbi Shefa Gold, and Rabbi-in-training Bryan Mann.