The Makom of God

I've just been going over some of my notes from the book, "God Was in this Place and I, i Didn't Know" by Rabbi Lawrence Kushner. I wanted to share a little of what I've learned from this book with everyone. The main focus of this book is the story of Jacob's ladder in Genesis 28, and the many interpretations of this story given in Rabbinic literature.

Kushner believes the main lesson of this story is that we need to be more aware of God's presence in our everyday lives. Are we not fully awake to the presence of God that is everywhere, everyday? Thoreau once said, "I never met a man who was fully awake." Rabbi Kushner believes that in addition to the story of jacob's ladder, there are other stories that speak of our need to be aware of God. Consider this quote, "The 'burning bush' was not a miracle. It was a test. God wanted to find out whether or not Moses could pay attention for more than a few minutes. When Moses did, God spoke. The trick is to pay attention to what is going on around you long enough to behold the miracle without falling asleep. There is another world right here within this one, whenever we pay attention." I thought this was a pretty amazing quote...Moses had to pay attention to the bush in order to see that it was not actually combusting b/c of the fire..it must've taken a few minutes...i cannot help but think of how often i'm too busy in my life to stop and notice the 'burning bushes' that are all around me.
Kushner then goes on to describe how there is no Hebrew world for spiritual. "Judaism sees only one world, which is material and spiritual at the same time. The material world is always potentially spiritual......The beginning of knowing about God, in other words, is simply paying attention, being fully present where you are, or as Rashi suggests, waking up."

The story of Jacob's ladder helps us to see that we need to be more aware of God's presence at all times...I know i am always too busy, running around or doing something to keep myself busy...

I guess I just found this interpretation really interesting and helpful. To conclude, one last quote from Rabbi Kushner, "You already are where you need to be. You need go nowhere else. Feel it now in the moisture on your tongue. Sense the effortless filling and emptying of your lungs, the involuntary blinking of your eyes. Just an inch or so behind your sternum where your heart beats. That is where the makom (place, or name of God) is. Right here all along and we did not know it because we were fast asleep, here in this very makom." In Hebrew tradition the word for place, "makom," is also a name for God, which creates some interesting word plays, as seen above. Anyways, hope you enjoyed the post, and remember that the name of God is as close as breathing....

Rob Kol

Back in Israel

Hey,

Just wanted to let everyone know that I have arrived safely back in Israel. I'm excited to start my 2nd semester, and even more excited to be back in Jerusalem. I didn't realize how much I missed this place until I came back. There are tons of new students this semester, and everyone seems very cool. One of my favorite things is to see Israel through someone elses eyes. What I mean is that I love seeing peoples reactions when they see things in Israel for the 1st time. There is nothing else like it. Well one more day until our first Shabbat dinner, I can't wait. Hope all is well with everyone.

Rob Kol