Voices of WRJ: B'shalach

by Patti Grossman This week’s portion is B'shalach (Exodos 13:17−17:16). We read of the parting of the Sea of Reeds and the Israelites’ miraculous departure from the land of Egypt. Pharoah has finally relented and permitted the people to leave. Later regretting his decision, Pharoah commands his army to go bring the Israelites back to Egypt to remain slaves. The Israelites become frightened when they see the army following them and doubt the wisdom of their decision to leave. How often in life do we face a crossroads? How do we make the necessary decision to proceed, to the right or to the left, or to relent with anguish about taking a new path and instead retreat? Many of the decisions we make on our life’s journey are without thought; some a result of an arbitrary decision, a coincidence, an inclination; some, a result of a plan or the desire to please someone else, happen with purpose and intention. What to eat, whom to befriend, where to live, what college to attend, what path of study, what career choice, what, if any, involvement in community, politics? Although these decisions feel intense and significant at the time, many may be altered. It is the irreversible path we choose at crossroads, which we inevitably encounter as part of the human experience, that are often the most challenging. Committing to a permanent relationship, relocating to a new city, becoming a parent, aging, facing illness, helping another to face/fight/accept illness and death, losing a loved one are crossroads which each of us unavoidably faces. When we choose to live honestly and with intent, caring for ourselves, our loved ones, and our community, we are better able to withstand the challenges we all face at our crossroads. We strive to “love thy neighbor as thyself,” to adjust to life’s challenges, to conquer our fears by prayer and study, performing acts of loving kindness by seeking guidance and understanding of our life’s journey. We seek like-minded travelers through life to provide guidance, comfort, and peace. We seek community, we try to live fully, to give of our ourselves, to embrace those in need. In our sisterhoods and congregations, we try to lighten the burden of the inevitable crossroads by bringing food and comfort to those in mourning, bringing meals and friendship to our infirm, providing transportation to those needing assistance, baby blankets to new mothers, knitting woolen caps for Israeli soldiers. We mark significant moments with prayer and practice religious traditions in our homes and synagogues with our communities which resonate for us. We try to fortify our families and model behavior and values which we hope will sustain them at their inevitable crossroads. Women of Reform Judaism offers opportunities for us to touch others through our shared values, friendship, social activism, our fundraising for our synagogues and in support of the YES Fund, assisting Jews at home, in Israel, and around the world. Stronger together, WRJ offers some of the itinerary we seek in life’s travel. Bonded by common values, history and goals, we face life and its crossroads with strength, hope, love, and community. Patti Grossman is a member of Sisterhood at Temple Beth Shalom, in Needham, MA. She is honored to be a WRJ Board Member and a vice president of her temple.