This month I’m in a place where the struggles and history of Palestinians are discussed, expressed, and promoted. It’s a relaxed place, where the people are friendly and generous. There are many churches, the mosques are welcoming, and the shuk closes in the mid afternoon.
I am here in a month where the night grows longer as everyday passes. I am here at a time when Israeli fighter jets fly overhead into Syria almost daily. I am here at a time when nearly 300 rockets were fired into Israel from Gaza. While these things take place, I am here playing the piano in a culture cafe, entertaining people when they ask, as well as when they don’t.
I am here when Muhammads birthday was celebrated. I am here when Hanukkah will begin. And I am here in a biblical month of dreams.
The Torah portions that are read throughout synagogues this month contain 9 dreams from the Patriarchs Jacob and Joseph. Dreams that foretold blessings and curses, dreams that caused anger and exile, dreams that revealed the connections between heaven and earth.
So in this month of darkness, we dream about what could be, what we can do, and what is to come.
“Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
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