Dear all,
While bike riding this week, I came across a magnificent bird鈥攚ings spread, ready for take-off
But it didn鈥檛 move.
It stood there, beak lifted, as if to say:聽鈥淚鈥檓 ready鈥� but not yet.鈥�
How often do we find ourselves in that very place鈥攔eady for take off – when we pause (hesitate?) for any variety of reasons:
Perhaps we鈥檙e unsure it鈥檚 the right move.
Perhaps we feel safer where we are.
Perhaps there鈥檚 comfort in keeping our feet on the ground.
Perhaps we want just a little more time with someone we love.
Perhaps we鈥檙e afraid of losing our way.
Perhaps we cling to what we know, even when we sense it may be time to go.
At the very beginning of creation, the Torah teaches:
鈥淭he spirit of God hovered over the face of the deep.鈥�
It didn鈥檛 move forward.
It hovered. Wings open. Just waiting.
Before creation begins, there is a moment of stillness鈥攁 sacred pause before motion.
And maybe that鈥檚 not hesitation at all.
Maybe that鈥檚 wisdom.
Because sometimes, the holiest thing we can do is not to rush into flight, but to stand there鈥攚ings open鈥攗ntil the moment in time is right.
And when the moment comes鈥攚hen it truly arrives鈥�
we will know.
And we will lift.
With love and Shalom,
Rabbi Zachary R. Shapiro
