Why not bring a piece of evolving Judaism into your week? Each Torah portion is so rich with so much to share! These small shabbat rituals are meant to be just a taste of Torah to connect with on Shabbat. Enjoy for yourself, or share at a Shabbat table near you.
וַיֵּרָ֤א אֵלָיו֙ יְהוָ֔ה בְּאֵלֹנֵ֖י מַמְרֵ֑א וְה֛וּא יֹשֵׁ֥ב פֶּֽתַח־הָאֹ֖הֶל כְּחֹ֥ם הַיּֽוֹם׃
The LORD appeared to him by the terebinths of Mamre; he was sitting at the entrance of the tent as the day grew hot.
וַיִּשָּׂ֤א עֵינָיו֙ וַיַּ֔רְא וְהִנֵּה֙ שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה אֲנָשִׁ֔ים נִצָּבִ֖ים עָלָ֑יו וַיַּ֗רְא וַיָּ֤רָץ לִקְרָאתָם֙ מִפֶּ֣תַח הָאֹ֔הֶל וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ
אָֽרְצָה׃
Looking up, he saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them and, bowing to the ground,
Shabbat ritual: Vision can be misleading. We might not always like what we see. Abraham goes from seeing guests before him, to seeing the destruction of Sodom and Gemmorah, cities filled with hatred. There are amazing sites to bear witness to in this world such as the natural beauty of the earth and the kindness of strangers. Yet there is still much that we may avoid our gaze from, with the thought of ‘out of sight, out of mind.’ This shabbat look up to the world around you. Write what you see. What are you blocking from your vision? What will you do now that you’ve taken time to truly look at and witness this sight? Share what your eyes are witnessing with others.
Printable sourcesheet: www.sefaria.org/sheets/46584
photo credit: theodysseyonline.com