After spending 90 minutes figuring out how to set up a blog, I have officially entered into the world of techno-musings. Scouring one of my favorite Hebrew texts, the Ethics of Our Fathers, I came upon one of my favorite quotes to be the title of the blog. I often use this book to look for meaningful quotes to use for lectures, classes, workshops, or just plain pithy sayings. There will always be a relevant quote to suit my need or mood. This is one of the beautiful things about Jewish liturgy: it is chock full of useful phrases and clauses to enhance, enliven, or enrich. Often, when students (adults and children alike) complain about the fact that prayer does not speak to them, or that they have a difficult time, I will tell them that it is completely acceptable to find one or two phrases that speak to them - words that move, uplift, enlighten, or even confuse. Repeat the words - two, three, four times in a row. There is beauty and meaning in the repetition.
Words are not always easy for me. I feel that the English language (or the Hebrew language, for that matter) is often deficient when it comes to matters of spirituality and emotions. I am hopeful that writing regularly will stir up my lexical pot. The entire quote from Ethics of Our Fathers is "You are not obliged to finish the task, neither are you free to neglect it." And so I begin.
