"Ma Tovu Ohalecha Yaakov, Mishkenotecha Yisrael." (Num 24:5) As we enter our sanctuary to pray as a community we remember this blessing, "How good are your tents Jacob, your dwellings Israel." The synagogue and our services are designed to make us aware of God's presence. Hopefully, we come away from communal worship feeling refreshed, and with a renewed sense of ourselves and the sanctity of our lives.

One of the greatest and most important challenges we face is the maintenance of this sense of God's presence outside of our perceived "holy space". As Moses discovers the bush that burned without being consumed, he is awe struck, but needs God's explanation and instruction: "Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place upon which you stand is holy ground." (Ex 3:5) Moses was not in the synagogue. He was in a cave, having followed a stray from his flock. He was doing what he did everyday. In the midst of the mundane, he was shown holiness.

Most days, most of us don't come across a burning bush. So, our challenge is to remember that wherever we are, we are standing in God's presence, on holy ground, and to act accordingly. This is no simple task, and none of us will be perfect at it. However, the deeper we dig, and the harder we search for the holiness in every person, place & situation we encounter, the greater will be our contribution to repairing the world.

May we each be privileged to seek out the holiness in our everyday lives and in so doing to engage in the work of tikkun olam.

Ken y'hi ratzon. May this be God's will.

Amy