Writings by Barri Cae Mallin

Take Hold and Be Blessed

Tuesday 27 December 2005 - 06:30:37

She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and
happy are all who hold her fast. Proverbs 3:18

One of my favorite Sabbath traditions is the Torah walk. Every Shabbat morning, Jewish men take the Torah out of the Ark and walk with it around the congregation. They walk in a 'figure 8' around the sanctuary. Congregants are invited and encouraged to step out to the aisles, take their Bible or their tallit (prayer shawl), touch the Torah then kiss their Bible or tallit. How I wish all believing congregations would do this, march around with Bibles and kiss them! God's word is precious. It is our instruction for life. God's word is like the bank - it is only good when it is open and 'transactions' occur.

When the Torah is lifted from the Ark, it is always dressed. It has a mantle and a crown on it. The Torah is considered to be the most sacred object in Judaism. Its production is handled with the utmost of care. The scrolls that are inscribed upon are made by parchment, kosher, certified by a Rabbi, and only a quill and ink are used. Each letter is meticulously written by hand. It can take up to eighteen months to write one Torah. There are two types of Torah scrolls, the Ashkenazi are on white parchment, the Sephardi are on brown parchment.

This scribal process is called STa"M. It is acronym for Scrolls, T'fillin and Mezuzot. The Torah Scrolls, the T'fillin and the Mezuzot casings are all considered sacred. Before the sofer (scribe) begins to write, he prepares himself for this holy work. He submits to having a mikveh, a ritual immersion, especially as he writes the name of God. He might have a mikveh each day because he most likely writes the name of God daily. Personal integrity is mandatory. It takes great concentration to be a sofer. He writes for only a few hours a day so that there will be no mistakes. The Torah is considered unfit for use if there are any mistakes.

This scribal art is considered a mitzvot, a good deed. It is the last good deed mentioned in the Torah, Deut. 31:19
"Now therefore, write this song for yourselves,
and teach it to the sons of Israel; "
Do I treat God's word with such sacred passion? Do I take hold of her, knowing that she is indeed a tree of life (aytz chy-eem), realizing that there is life, God's life, breathing from each page?

The word for take hold is chazak in Hebrew and it means to preserve, to be attached, to strengthen, to seize, to retain, to keep. The word is often used in Scripture to denote battle. It is often a battle to take hold of God's word. Runner's World magazine, the mail, ads all compete for my eye, for my time. Many good books are good, but only the Good Book has the ability to feed the spirit, to water the thirsty soul. I've got to trade my times for wisdom. What am I willing to exchange to gain wisdom? Am I willing to make the investment? We invest in bonds, stocks, our children, but what about investing time in God's word? God's word is the pearl of great price, the narrow way, the tree of life. We must do battle to gain this wisdom. Forsaking all else, we must battle to attain wisdom. Before Samson's last superhuman performance, he prayed to God to be strengthened -
Chaz-kay-nee - Strengthen me! he cried. We must prepare and pursue wisdom, exercising great discipline over lesser pleasures. We must never let go. Some days require us to 'white-knuckle' it, but we must do all we can do to hold on.

Because happy, ash-ray are all who hold her fast. Ash-ray in Hebrew is happy, blessed, prosperous, successful. This is not a fleeting mood elevator. This is true joy, contentment, fulfillment, filled up to overflow. You drink from your saucer 'cuz your cup is overflowed. This kind of joy produces wealth of spirit, joys forevermore.

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Ps. 16:11

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers. Ps 1:1-3

Copyright © Barri Cae Mallin.