When I wrote "Ami"
(lyrics below), I had just read THE JEW WITHIN, by Arnold Eisen and
Steven Cohen. That book emphasized the concept in the Sociology of Religion of
"The Sovereign Self," which suggests that people, more than ever,
take charge of their own decisions regarding their participation in a faith
community. Eisen and Cohen explained, "Jewish tradition is a meaning-making and
interpretive structure through which they seek coherence in their lives."
Ami was my attempt to show that there are still meanings that people share, and
that when we choose to practice Judaism, it is as if we, whether male or
female, are becoming like Ruth all over again, following a path as it we were
doing so for the first time. I tried to think of three symbols, one for each
verse of the song, that were central to Judaism to which, I felt, members of
the Jewish community can and do easily relate.
First, I chose
the Eternal Light ("One Light Above") and the synagogue/Temple, where
that beacon that does not go out signifies our enduring communal commitment -
there is always someone who keeps us going. It is also a symbol of God's
presence with us when we join together as a community.
Second, I chose
the Shabbat and Holiday candles, because they are central to Jewish observance
in the home, which we call a "Mikdash M'at" - a small sanctuary. They
are also beacons that signify commitment, but they represent the first place
where children learn about their Jewish identity. When candles are lit in the
home, they are like the Ner Tamid in the sanctuary, but they demonstrate the
power of parents in the context of family to carry on a tradition, and to show
that the warmth of the divine can be close at hand.
Third, I chose
the moon, which is the marker of Jewish time. Any time we look at the sky and
see the crescent moon just after new moon, it's the beginning of a new Jewish
month and a reminder that we "tread to its beat" when it comes to the
celebrations and special days on our calendar. We try to be "not quite out
of step" with the secular or Gregorian calendar, but we always take note
of when the holidays occur, whether early, late or on time, because we want to
know - when do we get to hear the shofar? When do we build a sukkah? When do we
light that first Chanukah candle? When do we cheer for Mordechai and Esther or
show Haman our utter disdain? When do we celebrate our freedom as if we ourselves
went out of Egypt to be slaves no more? We acknowledge God every step of the
way through the blessings we recite, which infuse those observances with
meaning, in relation to the values they teach, which we learn as members of
families and as a community. God's presence is always there with us, when we
are with our community, when we are in our homes, and when we acknowledge the
special Jewish rhythm of each year. And as we join together, we hopefully find
strength from our unity, and in that unity, we sense the unity of the divine
which strengthens us and blesses us with every step we take along our life's
journey.
Ami (By L. Karol)
One light above, suspended in time,
leading us on the way
In centuries gone, in ages beyond and
burning for us today
In this house, we dwell together - in our
praise, a single voice
from differing inspirations comes a
common choice
B'ruchim haba-im
b'ruchot haba-ot b'shaym adonai
Ameich ami vayloha-yich elohai, ameich
ami vayloha-yich elohai*
Two lights below, warmed by the hands
that seek to sustain their glow
Remembering days when we were not free
and lessons from long ago
In our house, we see reflections of
sacred moments past
Will the coming generations make these
traditions last? B'ruchim haba-im...
One light above, still marking our time
in a rhythm all its own
We tread to its beat, not quite out of
step, but feeling, at times, alone
So we join the celebration, the silence
and the song
In the questions, not the answers is
where we belong; B’ruchim ha-ba-im.... Ameich ami vayloha-yich elohai (2)
[*Blessed are those who come here in
God's name - Psalm 118:26 Your people are my people - Your God is my God - Ruth
1:16]
Rabbi Larry Karol sings "Ami"
Rabbi Larry Karol sings "Ami"
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