Go up the Mountain: A Shavuot Kavanah

We gather together

At the edge of the Red Sea

Or in a room at the edge of our seats,

Ready to run

Or ready to study?

Either way it's unknown territory.

We trek through the desert.

And with each step away from home

And the cucumbers of Egypt,

We tremble:

From Revelation

Or Pharoah's chariots?

Either way I hope you brought a flashlight.

So,

With each step

We walk into the past.

History or Myth?

Either way, it's real and it's ours.

Trusting our rabbi or Moshe on the mountain?

Either way we're gonna learn something.

Following our hazzan or the prophetess Miriam?

Either way it sounds good.

Closer and closer to Sinai

To get the Gift of Torah.

The Gift of Obligation and Knowledge,

Or the Gift of Doubt and Guilt,

Either way, God loves giving presents!

Would you have left Egypt?

Would you have crossed the Red Sea?

Would you have walked the desert?

Would you have waited at Sinai?

Or would you have stayed home, cozy and hydrated,

Asking no questions,

Fearing no answers?

Either way, my feet already hurt.

So,

Let us go up the mountain.