Sight Unseen

“In the beginning, Hashem created…” (Bereishis 1:1)

AS

we begin our cycle of parshiyos once again, there’s a particular concept within limud Torah that we’ve grown so used to that we’ve ceased to question it. A sefer Torah has no vowels or notes to tell the reader how to properly pronounce a word. For such a precise people, doesn’t this seem like an imprecise way to learn?

According to the Torah, there are two basic ways of living.  A person can see himself as a soldier following instructions, or as a partner in creation with Hashem.

The first approach requires spiritual stamina; the second, the ability to offer something personal to Hashem. What can we offer that Hashem doesn’t already have? (Rabbi Pinchas Winston, Torah.org)

My sons’ cheder was having a hachnassas sefer Torah. The excitement leading up to the event was palpable. When the big day finally arrived, the procession went right by my house. We all rejoiced with Yitzi and his torch and with Binyamin dancing in front of the chuppah.

When the procession reached the cheder, the men continued dancing in the large playground, while the women were invited to view the ceremony via video hookup in the school entranceway.

I entered the building and then halted in dismay. The entranceway was packed, the huge screen dominating the hall barely visible as kids craned to see their brothers and fathers. Plus, there was no AC in the area; it was beyond stifling.

I couldn’t even see my kids dancing. They certainly couldn’t see me. No one would know if I slipped out and went home.  But my boys were in the choir and they’d told me how much they wanted me to hear them sing and watch them on the screen. I couldn’t leave now.