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Photo: Wikimedia Commons |
During the opening reception, while chatting with one of the Israelis about how he met his wife, she noted, after hearing his tale, that it was bashert. As my sister tells it, when she used that Yiddishism, the guy nearly dropped his fork.
And so it was that a little while later, when the Israelis produced two candlesticks and a bottle of Manischewitz for an unscheduled and unscripted welcome to Shabbat, my sister--whose attachment to Judaism is a fraction of mine--was invited to recite the blessing over the candles.
Although she probably hadn't even thought about it in years, I imagine it was like riding a bicycle and that as she struck the match, the words--engraved in her being--just rolled off her tongue:
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolamIs it possible that by beginning the gathering with impromptu blessings over candles and wine, these Israelis--intentionally or not--set the tone for a positive and productive time together with their international cohorts?
Asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'zivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat
We'll never know, of course, but I'd like to believe it is so.
Inspired by Ima
on (and off) the Bima, this post is one in a series marking the
days of the Hebrew month of Nisan leading up to Passover 5773.