A moment in time
A weekly reminder from Rabbi Shapiro that a change in perspective can shift the focus of our day - and even our lives.
Rabbi Shapiro is a weekly blog contributor to the Jewish Journal where he shows how the simplest of daily experiences can become the most meaningful of life's blessings. All it takes is a moment in time. Read the latest entries below, and click HERE for past articles.
"Seeing Something for the First Time…. Again"
Dear all,
Walking into my home on Wednesday afternoon, Maya and Eli ran to me exclaiming, “Daddy, there’s a rainbow, there’s a rainbow!!!!!”
We then sat, gazing out the window at not just one rainbow, but at the marvel of a double rainbow that smiled over the city.
I never tire of seeing rainbows. But this was the first rainbow my kids have seen in person. And experiencing the marvel through their eyes enabled me to behold the colors in the sky as though it was my very first time.
Imagine, just imagine, if we all encountered the world through the wonderment of a child’s eyes. They remind us not to take a precious moment in time for granted.
Baruch Atah Adonai, Blessed are You, Adonai, who remembers Your covenant with and promise to creation.” (Based on the traditional Hebrew prayer for seeing a rainbow).
With love and shalom, Rabbi Zach Shapiro
“How Long is NOW?”
Dear all,
Ron and I came across a sign this week that read: “How Long Is Now?”
The question really spoke to us. Is now three seconds? Is it ten seconds? Is it today? Is it our lifetime?
Sometimes now can seem like a fleeting moment in time. Sometimes now can feel like an eternity.
If now is awesome, how do we hold on to it? And if now is unbearable, how do we turn the page?
I suppose I can answer the question with a question. How long is now?
Quoting Rabbi Hillel: “If not now, when?”
With love and Shalom, Rabbi Zach Shapiro
“The Long and Windy Road”
Dear all,
I did it – 36 miles to raise funds to help send kids to Jewish Summer Camps in Southern California. Thank you all who sponsored my ride! Now, more than ever, our kids need to have access to meaningful Jewish experiences that uphold our support for Israel in these very difficult times.
I want to say that the ride was glorious. It was not. Why? One word with two pronunciations. You choose whichever you want.
“Windy.”
There were moments of the ride that were super windy. At times it was both windy and windy.
And it exhausted me.
As always, I find metaphors.
Our Jewish journey is rarely an easy one. The Israelites winded their way through the desert for 40 years. Jonah faced a fierce wind on his voyage from Jaffa.
And today – we continue to battle twisted narratives of history, blowhards who learn about the Middle East from Tik Tok videos, and academics who create false truths when teaching the next generation.
And with all this – we continue to travel the windy road. And while it can be exhausting, we will never, for even a moment in time, think of quitting.
With love and Shalom, Rabbi Zach Shapiro
"What ONE Prayer Do You Have Right Now?"
Dear all,
In the ongoing trauma following the Oct 7 Hamas terrorist attack, Temple Akiba has put out a “Western Wall” on which we invite all to post a prayer (similar to how people insert prayers and notes into the Western Wall in Jerusalem).
In this delicate moment in time, what is the one prayer you would write?
And please understand, there is a difference between a wish and a prayer. A wish is a one way communication. A prayer is a dialogue. So when we pray, we offer a thought or question. And we listen carefully for a response (which may come from places and at times we don’t anticipate).
What is your prayer? Are you listening for the response?
Praying for all of us blessings of peace! With love and shalom, Rabbi Zach Shapiro
"I Lift my Eyes to the Heavens"
Dear all,
In the new reality we are in as Hamas terrorists have raped our homeland, Israel, I've tried to start my weekly Moment in Time 1000 times. I want to write something profound. I want to share something you may not have thought of. I want to inspire you with hope or determination or comfort.
And I'll admit. It's been hard.
There was an incredible moment of light this week, shared by our member, Leah Potok. She received this photo from a friend in which the sun illuminated the clouds, forming a Jewish star. It reminded me of the 121st Psalm, which begins, "I lift my eyes to the mountains, what is the source of my help? My help comes from Adonai, Maker of Heaven and earth."
The photo was like a message from God. It gave me incredible peace. And it reminded me:
Yes, let's lift our eyes. But let's also look to one another.
Please, please - be present for those who need a hug.
Be receptive to those who need an ear.
Be loving to those who feel alone.
Be there, BE THERE for our community, who needs YOU.
With love and shalom, Rabbi Zach Shapiro
