Beyond the Bema

“There is no speech, there are no words, where their voice is not heard. Their music carries throughout the earth, their words to the end of the world.” Beneath the silence, audible only to the inner ear, creation sings to its Creator.

So, when we pray, we do not read; we sing.”-Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

I’ll admit, when I came to the Synagogue for the first time, I was surprised to see a guitar. I guess I was just thinking more traditional. Oh, what I have learned over these months. 

Now, we sing prayers all the time. Psalm 150 is one of my favorites, among others. It’s nice to know that instruments can be used as a vessel to praise G!d. 

I was asked to play in an installation for our Rabbi as he is being named Sr Rabbi. 

If you don’t know, I have a history of playing in a worship band for a Southern Baptist Church. The Cantor, who is seriously one of the coolest people I’ve ever met, asked me to play and I knew it was time to get back out there. I’m playing the bass and man was I rusty. But I got my feel back and were starting to grove. Just in the nick of time. 

I feel like there are a lot of firsts for me in my journey to conversion. I’ve had to put myself out there. I’ve had to try and not be so introverted. I’ve had to share journal entries because I communicate better in writing. But there is something so beautiful in firsts. 

So whether it’s learning to get out of my shell, or playing on stage in front of a bunch of people, I’m excited to be a part of it. May our prayers tomorrow be heard not only to the audience and beyond, but to our souls as well, as we aren’t just playing for entertainment on an exciting night, we’re playing to worship G!d, our creator, and man what an honor that is.

May he use our instruments and voices as a vessel. 

-Shalom