She is the Miracle of Light

[Written for the Dec 2022/Jan 2023 Temple Israel Kol Yisrael newsletter on behalf of the Women of Temple Israel (WoTI)] As Jews, we certainly believe in miracles. Our history, holidays, and traditions are filled with moments of divine intervention and inspiration. On Yom Kippur we celebrate the miracles of introspection and forgiveness. During Sukkot we celebrate the miracles of sustenance and protection. And, at Hannukah we celebrate the rededication of the Temple and the miracle of faith. Each Shabbat we celebrate the miracles that come with prayer and rest.

As women, we are blessed with many miracles – physical life-giving functions, innate sensitivity and empathy, heightened instincts, and many intrinsic coping strategies.

Albert Einstein once said “there are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” I prefer the latter.

Miracles are not reserved for G-d alone. She is the miracle. Every newborn is a miracle. Whether her name is Marvel, Marvella, Amari, Mireya, Nasya, Sachi –all names with a root meaning “miracle” – or her name was given to memorialize our ancestry, or her name is simply meaningful to her parents in some way, she is a miracle. Our matriarchs – Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah – were miracles.

The Jewish sages say the more you look for miracles, the more you will see them. Look around.

Do you see the women who are bravely raising their children, tenaciously raising their voices against injustice, and greatly raising the bar on what it means to be a model for compassion, competence, and courage? Do you see the women who are defending our country, defending our rights, and defending our freedom from oppression? Do you see the women who are shattering the glass ceiling? Do you see the women who are sipping tea in their garden and reminiscing about “back in the day?”

Look closer. Do you see the miracle of light? She is the miracle.