Unlike traditional Jewish movements with their standardized liturgies, our movement’s customs are, to put it mildly, far less fixed. Some have asked for a siddur (“prayer book”) of our own, but our independent spirit—a hallmark of our movement—has made that a challenge. The closest we’ve come is "Here is Our Light," a beautiful collection of readings (available at shj.org).
The title of that collection, of course, nods to the one piece that appears in nearly all our services: Rabbi Sherwin Wine’s beloved composition, "Where is My Light? / Eifo Ori?"
In our services, I often introduce the song with a reading—something by Rabbi Wine or a piece reflecting its theme. Last week, I debuted a new responsive reading created specifically as a prelude, which I share with you in this week's commentary. Feel free to include it in your home Shabbat observances!
A READING FOR "EIFO ORI? / WHERE IS MY LIGHT?"
As the week ends and Shabbat begins, we pause to reflect:
Where is my light? The light that carries me forward, that brightens my path even in uncertain times? It is here, within me.
And within all of us together.
Where is my hope? The hope that sustains me, that reminds me tomorrow can be better, that we can build a world of justice and kindness? It is here, within me.
And within all of us together.
Where is my strength? The strength to stand firm in my values, to face difficulties with courage, to reach out a hand to another? It is here, within me.
And within all of us together.
As we welcome Shabbat, let us embrace this truth:
We are not alone. The light, the hope, and the strength we seek are not distant. They are already here within us, waiting to be recognized, nurtured, and shared.