Thursday, October 24, 2013

Chayyei Sarah 5774

Isaac “went out toward evening to stroll in the field” (Genesis 24:63).

The out-of-doors beckons, especially to those of us who spend our time inside.  Underneath the expanse of sky, our minds open and our souls can breathe again. 
 

Now that the weather is fine, go for a walk.  What sights and smells can you discover when you amble around the block or hike through the desert?  Whom can you meet?  Of course, exercise is good for us any day.  But a stroll is especially soulful on Shabbat, the Day of Delight.  Consider making a Shabbat “constitutional” part of your spiritual practice.  It’s a way to admire God’s handiwork, care for your body, breath, and nourish your soul all at the same time.

It is no coincidence that Isaac, during his stroll, “looked up and saw – camels coming!  And Rebekah looked up” at him from her camel and the two fell in love (Genesis 24:63-64).
When we go outside, we open ourselves to all sorts of possibilities – new sensations, new ideas, new experiences, and maybe even love.  Getting outside the walls of our lives makes us free.

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