As we move into the dark time of year and we’re still in the pandemic, I’m finding it hard to stay hopeful. Lassitude, lack of focus, indecisiveness, all seem to take over at times.

But there is some light in this darkness. I recently joined a Torah study group with friend and brilliant Rabbi Jan Saltzman. We’re starting at the beginning, the book of Genesis, discussing the different translations and meanings and hearing Jan’s insights.

This is food for my soul.

Did you know that in the Hebrew bible there are 120 different names for God, and they are all verbs? God is not a static thing and nor is creation. This story of creation is fluid, with waters covering the earth and separating, and living things being born and growing. Creation is ever emerging, like the word YAHWEH, the word for God that is not spoken but expressed as breath, an inhaling and exhaling. It is air and breath and creating, and we are all part of it.