Still Standing at the Foot of a Mountain - Parashat Yitro - January 25, 2019

Eternal One, Soul of the Universe,

Creator who sustains our very existence,

Giver of the wisdom that guides us every day, 

We read in our Torah

That our ancestors stood at the foot of a mountain

That was covered by a dense cloud

Surrounded by lightning with thunder resounding

With fire rising and the ground quaking

With all of these signs that made the people tremble

Being attributed to Your overwhelming presence

Before the revelation 

Of teachings that would establish a path

For so many people within the family of humanity. 

On this day, in our time, as we consider these words again 

Of an experience that evoked awe and fear

We recognize that that it is not only at the foot of a mountain 

That we find You, but along our life’s journey

In moments of challenge,

At the crossroads of decision,

In times of celebration, 

With new beginnings, 

And with the conclusion of a chapter 

In our personal and common story. 

What echoes down to us across the centuries

From our venerated text, which is carefully inscribed on a scroll, 

Are directives that remain central 

From the book of the teaching of Moses: 

All people deserve freedom because You desire that for us; 

We should not make idols of anything or anyone;

Our speech must be marked by holiness; 

There must be sacred time set aside when our rest will lead us to what is truly holy; 

Those who gave us life deserve honor and reverence;

Life itself and our relationships are inviolably sacrosanct; 

What is ours is ours, and it can be someone else’s as well only if we so desire; 

Words which subvert the truth will upset the balance that we call justice;

And that we must be content with what we have because our covenant with You must be reflected in our mutual respect towards one another. 

All of these instructions accompany us and move us toward You

Even while we still stand at the foot of the mountain

That is our lives

Because You are not only at the summit of the universe

You remain among us, and inside of us, 

Inspiring us to goodness, to kindness, to mercy, to truthfulness, and to integrity. 

Be with us always as we strive to become the best 

Of what You would hope for each of us.    

Amen.