CANTOR’S CORNER

Cantor Eyal Bitton shares a few thoughts on prayer and the parasha of the week.

2024-01-27 Parashat Beshalach

Last week was a challenging period for all of us in Portland. The winter storm disrupted all our lives. At our house, we were left without power for nearly six days. We faced the cold, slept huddled together for warmth, and made the best of a challenging situation. When the heat finally returned on Thursday night, a sense of relief washed over us. However, our ordeal wasn’t over; the following day, we lost our internet and phone connectivity. No calls, no texts. Fine. At least we had heat, which is far more important. Then, finally, the WiFi came back, and in that moment, I found a new appreciation for the lyrics of an Israeli musical group called HaTikvah 6.

The following stanza is from their song “God Will Fix Everything” (HaKABAH Yesader ֵEt Hakol):

מודה על מה שיש
לכל מי שבירך
על שמש בחלון
על וויי פיי בסלון

“Thank You, God, for what we have
Thank You for every blessing
Thank You for the sun in the window
Thank You for the Wi-Fi in the living room”

What seemed like a humorous line before the storm took on a profound meaning in the aftermath. The moment the internet returned after a week of no power and no connectivity, I truly grasped the sentiment – yes, indeed, thank God for the Wi-Fi in the living room!

This experience prompted a reflection on the teachings of Parashat Beshalach, in which we find the most famous song of the Torah, the Song of the Sea. The song celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, emphasizing gratitude for divine blessings and the recognition of God’s creations. In a world where we often take technological advancements for granted, the episode with the storm brought to light the significance of appreciating the divine spark within human creativity.

The ability to innovate and create, exemplified by the technological marvels like WiFi, is a divine gift. In the same way the Israelites expressed gratitude for the miracles of liberation and sustenance in the wilderness, we too can acknowledge the blessings of connectivity and technological progress. The WiFi that facilitates communication, information access, and entertainment becomes a modern manifestation of the divine gifts bestowed upon us.

Human creativity becomes a reflection of the divine when we recognize that our imaginative endeavors, technological innovations, and scientific breakthroughs are inspired by the same creative force that parted the Red Sea in Parashat Beshalach. In moments of connection, whether through the warmth of the sun’s rays or the signals transmitted by WiFi, we can find a profound appreciation for the intricate design of God’s creations.

Prayer itself is a human creation. The prayers we recite daily, on Shabbat, and on festivals and holidays, are human creations. Yet we deem these expressions of hope and praise to be sacred. We do so precisely because we accept that it is we who are charged with living morally, building ethical societies, and seeking a godly life.

The WiFi in our living rooms becomes not just a convenience but a reminder of the divine spark within us, urging us to honor and appreciate the gifts of connectivity and creativity.

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Click here to watch the video of the song by HaTikvah 6.
Click here to watch an a cappella version of the song.