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From our Torah this week (Beha'aolotekha) we read: "Make for you two silver trumpets, of hammered work you shall make it" (Num. 10:2). The trumpets were used to signal the assembly for special occasions, such as preparing for war. Dov Ber of Mezeritch noted that the word for "trumpets" (i.e., chatzotzrot: חֲצוֹצְרת) can be divided into two words, chatzi tzurot (הצי צורות), meaning "half forms" that were to be fashioned from one substance. Where it says, "Ve'ahavta – you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart," that includes both your "good heart" and your "bad heart" – that is, all of you, all of your being, the whole person - bekhol levavkha... Come as you are, and God will unify your heart by the miracle of his grace, as David prayed: "Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name" (Psalm 86:11).
הורני יהוה דרכך אהלך באמתך
יחד לבבי ליראה שמך
hoh·rei'·nee · Adonai · dar·ke'·kha · a·ha·leikh · ba·a·mee·te'·kha
ya·cheid · le·vah·vee · lei·yeer·ah · she·me'·kha
"Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth;
unite (i.e., heal) my heart to fear your Name."
(Psalm 86:11)
Note: The "desert experience" reveals what is hidden in our hearts... The murmuring and rebellion of the Israelites in the desert is our own, and our challenge is to find healing from our fears. Anger, doubt, boredom, cravings, and outright rebellion are symptoms of a deeper problem, and to change we must first confess our inner poverty, neediness, and emptiness (James 5:16). When we stop making excuses we can learn to trust in God's provision for our lives; we will taste of the heavenly manna and be satisfied; we will be delivered from our fears by be filled with God's love. The impulses that sought to lead us away from God will no longer be able to pretend to be the truth, since God's peace and love will direct the heart.
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