In his commentary on Passover the 19th century Hasidic rebbe the Sefat Emet comments on verse from Numbers 15:41 traditionally read as “I took you out of the land of Egypt to be for you a Gd.” Translating this verse slightly differently, the Sefat Emet focuses on the conjugation of the Hebrew word “to be” in this verse and reads it instead as “to become.” In this reading, Gd takes us out of the land of Egypt to become our Gd. Rather than understanding our relationship to Gd as set, formed, and static, we can see ourselves in an ever-evolving partnership with the One who set us free. Here the process of us stretching towards Gd and Gd reaching back towards us is one that happens continually and in new ways over time. The breaking through of the bonds of slavery gives us the opportunity to be in a continuous, dynamic, renewing relationship with Gd.

In many ways this reading of the Sefat Emet is liberating and exciting. Each generation and each of us as individuals are called upon to form a new relationship with Gd. We have the power and privilege in each moment to see and know Gd in new ways and to be seen for who and what we are by Gd. Yet at the same time this reading is terrifying. Once we discover a connection to Gd, why would we ever want to let that go? How much more reassuring it would be if Gd, once found, remained forever in that place, or if a certain prayer, once spoken, could always serve as our means of accessing the One whom we seek.

Being a part of a dynamic relationship with Gd requires many things from us. We are called upon to be committed to move through the twists and turns of this partnership and not to either turn away, on one hand, or to attempt to ossify our relationship by freezing it in time, on the other. We must find within ourselves a deep wellspring of trust that can sustain us through changes and turbulence. This relationship requires from us openness to new ways of being and patience as we learn how to change and adapt as the relationship transforms. We would also be served by tapping into a feeling of curiosity at what will be, and a sense of delight in each moment of what is.

Ultimately, it is this vibrant relationship to Gd that that frees us. We are free to grow, change, and become, as is the Force of the Universe. It is through learning how to be in this relationship with Gd that we can learn how to be in healthy relationship with our bodies, partners, children, friends, ideas, conceptions, nature, religion, political views, hopes, and dreams. When we are aware of our becoming, we are better able to tolerate, honor and appreciate all that is becoming around us. It is a profound freedom to be engaged in this eternal process of becoming.

On this Passover, I bless us all that we make space for the fears and resistance that come with acknowledging change, and that we cultivate sweet tender spots within ourselves to nurture our wildest dreams of what can be. May we melt away all ossification and stagnancy, and like, the sun melts the snow, make room for new growth to blossom into new life, more beautiful than we can even imagine.

* Many thanks to my teacher Rabbi Art Green, rector of Hebrew College Rabbinical School, for bringing this teaching of the Sefat Emet to me.

Image: Cephas via Wikimedia Commons