For Friday Night
Surviving Daily Life

By Tali Loewenthal

One of the interpretations of the Flood is that it represents the difficulties of life. We are swept by the swirling waters of anxiety, of the rat race, of the daily struggle. How can we prevent our sensitivity and humanity from being swept away?

Another variety of these swirling waters are the cultural currents of the modern world which seek to sweep away our Jewish dimension. "Why be different?" they murmur. "Just do the same as everyone else..." Once again, what power do we have to resist these forces?

Deep in the heart of every Jew there is hidden a great love The Song of Songs (8:7) tells us that "many waters cannot quench love." Deep in the heart of every Jew there is hidden a great love. This love always remains, despite the worries and troubles, despite cultural change. It is through our love for G-d, for the infinite freedom which our bond with G-d can grant us, that we can withstand the force of the "flood waters." Through Jewish life we reveal this love and enable it to give inspiration and meaning to our lives.

The Friday night table, candles, kiddush, speaking words of Torah, singing Shabbat table songs, prayer and observance of other laws of Judaism help us overcome the Flood and enjoy every step in an ever new world.1

Comment

FOOTNOTES
1.	Zohar I 67b, 254b; III 14b. See the Lubavitcher Rebbe's Likkutei Sichot vol. 2 p. 452 and vol. 1 p. 4.

By Tali Loewenthal More articles... |

Dr. Tali Loewenthal is Lecturer in Jewish Spirituality at University College London, director of the Chabad Research Unit, author of Communicating the Infinite: The Emergence of the Habad School and a frequent contributor to the Chabad.org weekly Torah reading section.

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