Holing Up In a Cave, Shabbat 33, Talmud
Have you ever been to Bandelier or another ancient ancestral site throughout the Southwest? And upon seeing the ancient homes, set inside the sides of the mountain sandstone; you suddenly felt like you too were finally HOME. There is one particular cave that I think of very fondly. For me it has the best view out into the valley at Bandelier. After climbing the steep walk way and crawling off the ladder I settle myself within. Perhaps 2 or three people could rest within these walls. Smoke stains show me that this cave was used for warmth and hearth. From inside, I can see the mule deer running below and resting on the grasses. When the water flows small pools can be spotted. One year I place a very tiny crystal in 'my' cave. It was smaller by half the size of your pinky fingernail. I knew it was wrong, but something told me to return it to its rightful place. Around five years later I returned to that cave and when I sat down in my spot overlooking the valley below, the sunlight made something in the rock sparkle, nearly blinding me. On closer inspection I discovered that the crystal was still there. Gently, I removed her from its resting place before returning it back into the small crevasse. We leave our mark wherever we live.
Teaching from Shabbat 33, Talmud Yerushalmi
On April 8, 2020, we read this Daf Yom passage, on the day of the eve of Pesach. A day when we were all beginning our new journey back into the cave. The Talmud recalls the destruction of the Temple and our hiding within caves which became their Beit Midrash- house of study. Twelve years Rabbi Shimon lives in there, eating only carob and drinking from a spring. No access to bathing or the fine foods from local markets. I was astounded to make the parallel to our lives today. With no easy access to restaurants, coffee houses, the gym or our friends.
In the story of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai when he first emerges and steps his feet outside the cave, all he sees is the materialism and he heads back into the cave.
On his second time out he sees an elderly man holding two bundles of myrtle and jogging at sunset. Rabbi Shimon inquires what he he doing. The elderly man says that he is running home to celebrate Shabbat. Now Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai sees that there is a balance between the material world and the spiritual world.
Aren't we all now negotiating the balance? Shabbat teaches us to keep that balance. Work hard duing the week, and bring the spiritual into our homes on Sabbath. Human existence gives us the opportunity to transition between mundane and sacred. I am blessed to have work during this time, and I am not unaware that others do not. So part of each day I make a dozen or more masks to be used in the community. I think I am at about 200 masks to date- not nearly as many as others have made. There is a balance, and I would love to hear how others are negotiating their balance.
We have been sent into the cave under these news laws of protecting ourselves against a virus so small, but so powerful that it could take our lives. Being in the cave for me these past 6 weeks has been an ebb and flow of my understanding of what life is, and what is important. While I'm in the cave, there is no yesterday anymore, and there is no tomorrow. Today, this moment is all that is real. Shabbat 33 spoke to me weeks ago, and still does today. When can I emerge safely behind a grocery store visit? How will socialization take place? Perhaps an outdoor picnic- bring your own dishes- but at least we can hang out! I found out that although I love my cave, I love my community more. I am filled with gratitude for Zoom and other platforms that allow us to be together.
I invite you out of the cave this Shabbat, May 2 at 10:00 into our very special community event. A very special Shabbat where five of our community members will read/chant Torah and teach you the lessons they have learned. Their teachings span the subjects of xenophobia, to protecting and honoring the blind and the deaf; from harvest to naming and honoring our teachers; and from isolation to honest dealings. We have plenty of room for all to attend, and you can even stay in your cave and still be present. See more information below.
Please join us via Zoom for this Community Anshei Mitzvah
Meeting ID: 931 962 767 Password: 099937