Dear Friends,
Every time I see a bald eagle I get goosebumps. Their erect white heads, their black wings and strong shoulders, and their calm and deliberate flight evoke, for me, that sense of power and assurance which I associate with the founding of our nation.
For the United States of America, such is the imagery of the eagle. So, too, for the People of Israel. Fascinating how we share that original almost mythical motif.
In our Torah portion this week (Ha’azinu, Deuteronomy chapter 32), we read:
Like an eagle who rouses its nestlings,
Gliding down to its young
So did God spread wings and take them
Bear them along on pinions.” (Dt. 32:11)
The verse aptly echoes what we read earlier, in Exodus, “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Me.” (Exodus 19:4)
The abiding phrases, “on wings of eagles,” and “under the shadow of God’s wings” offer a sense of security and protection. We are nurtured and have the abiding protection of God until we can leave the next and head out on our own. Hence, we escaped Egypt, and thus we made it through 40 years in the desert.
Now, near the very close of Deuteronomy, our forebears are on the cusp of crossing the Jordan into the Land of Promise. It is night time to let go and fend for ourselves. It is time to spread our own wings and become the People of Israel.
So, too, today. We continually have moments of transition, establishment and reestablishment. Also, we continually have periods of being sheltered and protected, and times to set out. They come, again and again, in life: from periods of robust economy to times when it is difficult; from years of evading the wrath of tropical storms to being inundated with waters from a ferocious hurricane; with decades of peace across Europe and beyond, to facing a continent under cannon and threats of cannon. In each, we had enjoyed the seeming protection of eagles’ wings, until it ceased. And then, we need to take stock and learn to rise again.
Our task is to be inspired by the imagery and strength of the eagle and its majesty, and allow it to compel our own strength and human majesty.
May such be our will as we begin this New Year, 5783.
With Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
Every time I see a bald eagle I get goosebumps. Their erect white heads, their black wings and strong shoulders, and their calm and deliberate flight evoke, for me, that sense of power and assurance which I associate with the founding of our nation.
For the United States of America, such is the imagery of the eagle. So, too, for the People of Israel. Fascinating how we share that original almost mythical motif.
In our Torah portion this week (Ha’azinu, Deuteronomy chapter 32), we read:
Like an eagle who rouses its nestlings,
Gliding down to its young
So did God spread wings and take them
Bear them along on pinions.” (Dt. 32:11)
The verse aptly echoes what we read earlier, in Exodus, “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Me.” (Exodus 19:4)
The abiding phrases, “on wings of eagles,” and “under the shadow of God’s wings” offer a sense of security and protection. We are nurtured and have the abiding protection of God until we can leave the next and head out on our own. Hence, we escaped Egypt, and thus we made it through 40 years in the desert.
Now, near the very close of Deuteronomy, our forebears are on the cusp of crossing the Jordan into the Land of Promise. It is night time to let go and fend for ourselves. It is time to spread our own wings and become the People of Israel.
So, too, today. We continually have moments of transition, establishment and reestablishment. Also, we continually have periods of being sheltered and protected, and times to set out. They come, again and again, in life: from periods of robust economy to times when it is difficult; from years of evading the wrath of tropical storms to being inundated with waters from a ferocious hurricane; with decades of peace across Europe and beyond, to facing a continent under cannon and threats of cannon. In each, we had enjoyed the seeming protection of eagles’ wings, until it ceased. And then, we need to take stock and learn to rise again.
Our task is to be inspired by the imagery and strength of the eagle and its majesty, and allow it to compel our own strength and human majesty.
May such be our will as we begin this New Year, 5783.
With Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
