Sovereignty. Reality. Embodiment. Actualization. Fulfillment. Selfitude within Endurance. Perseverence. Long-Haul. Leadership. Day-to-Day. Active Principle. Eternity.
Tonight I get the privilege of supporting a young woman as she dives into a weekend-long celebration of becoming Bat Mitzvah. I’ve lost track of how long I’ve known her. It hasn’t actually been that long in the big scheme, although it feels like forever. An astonishing amount of growth and change happens over the course of 3 or 4 years in a person that age. I don’t even know her that well, but am good friends with her mother, so something maternal kicks in for me around this young woman.
We rehearsed together the other day - she is leading evening and morning services with our Rabbi, two other musicians from our regular shul band, and me. Over the course of our two hours rehearsing together, I got to really tune into what she has put into this over a Long Haul, and to witness moment by moment her coming into her Selfitude. I got to see her excitement as she anticipated the day that is coming, the way that she understood how her Perseverence through this process of study and learning comes into Reality before a host of family and friends from all over. When I got home it dawned on me that she is celebrating this event on this day - Malchut SheBeNetzach. I couldn’t think of anything more fitting.
This event holds significance for me, too, in the context of the Sefirotic energy of this day. A good many of this host of friends happen to be my teachers! I am at the tail end of my fourth year of study in the Aleph Ordination Program (AOP), and am looking forward to my ordination as a Hazzan in January. Yes, friends, it’s been a Long Haul requiring plenty of Endurance! Tonight, my teachers witness me in the Reality of my home synagogue, where I have been a member and a Leader for a number of years. In fact, this congregation has nurtured and supported me from my embryonic beginnings, and enthusiastically given me the mantel of Leadership. This weekend, my teachers witness me in my ever-evolving Selfitude as a budding Hazzan on my home turf. There is something vulnerable about this meeting of my worlds, and certainly something beautiful.
I am honored to share this day of Malchut SheBeNetzach with my young friend. May you also find some joy in the Realities of your Perseverence.
Shabbat shalom.