My dear friend Dr. Julie Zweig forwarded me an astonishing article.
Entitled “From the ashes of a Pasadena synagogue, a powerful discovery is made” the
LA Times shares an incredible story.
As we are all aware, there have been terrible wildfires in California which have wreaked much havoc and destruction.
One of the many buildings that were burned in the fire was a synagogue in Pasadena. The whole edifice came down.
Except for one wall.
To the shock and surprise of all, the wall that remained had been hidden behind years of construction which now had been removed to reveal a mural.
The mural depicted a Biblical scene which seems to show the Jews walking in the desert; men, women and children. Some of those portrayed are playing instruments, and in the midst of it all, a towering and majestic palm tree takes center stage.
The reveal of this mural gave much hope and inspiration to the congregation.
During such a dark time, they felt the message that hope is hiding behind the destruction.
All is not lost.
The timing of this find could not be more appropriate.
This week’s Torah portion is called VaErah and it depicts one of the lowest periods in Jewish history.
The Jewish people are enslaved in Egypt and are subjected to the worst brutality imaginable.
They are tortured and terrorized.
All of a sudden, a man named Moshe, Moses, appears on the scene and announces he has been sent to redeem them and take them out of this horrible slavery.
We can imagine the response.
Dancing in the streets.
Fireworks.
Euphoria.
Strangely enough - none of the above.