#BlogElul 7 - The Still Small Voice

Here in South Florida we are all awaiting the arrival of Tropical Storm/Hurricane Isaac. This is the first significant storm to threaten the area since I moved here four years ago.

This afternoon the announcements went out that Miami-Dade Public Schools would be closed on Monday. Following suit The University of Miami announced closures, as did many private schools and organizations in the area. This news was wildfire on Facebook - with students of all ages celebrating an unexpected three-day weekend.

Amidst this, I was struck by a Facebook friend's post from a university student who works with our congregation. He said:

Although Hurricane Isaac is not expected to directly affect the south Miami area, it's still a natural disaster. Stop posting like it's a party.

It was a stark reminder that hurricanes, like earthquakes (I lived in LA) and tornadoes (I lived in Pittsburgh) are demonstrations of God's might and power.

The shofar also serves as a reminder of God's might and power. But the shofar isn't the thunder and lightning display of God's Awesomeness. To me, the shofar reminds us that God is present in the "still small voice" that the prophet Elijah hears on the mountaintop. The shofar is a hollow, haunting call. For many it is a wake-up call to reconnect with the Divine. For some it is a reminder to find God in the big things and in the small things. For me it is the sound of holiness - beautiful and haunting.

Throughout these weeks of Elul I will try to be more mindful of the sounds of holiness - the crashing thunder and the soft calls of the shofar.