 |
From |
|
From |
Divrei
Rabbi Jerry
Rabbi
Jerry Seidler
TempleSinai
Our Dog Galil
I really love our dog, Galil. He is a silly, friendly, innocently mischievous and endlessly playful three-and-a-half-year-old chocolate Labrador Retriever. We got him from a farmer couple in Putnam, New York, just south of Ticonderoga. Lydia, Kathy and I were having a great time with two litters of Lab puppies, while their parents nudged us on to take one with us to give it a caring home. Kathy and I could not make a decision, so we left it up to Lydia (Arielle was away on a summer trip to Israel). Lydia could not get enough of this tiny brown smudge of an endearing puppy, and that's how Galil became part of our family. We named him Galil, the Hebrew for Galilee, the rolling hill and mountain region of Israel - and he did so enjoy traipsing around the wilds of Vermont's outdoors.
We don't live amidst the mountains and streams any more, but Galil does not seem to mind. He is happy pretty much anywhere and all the time. That is what is so amazing about him: he is always happy, always smiling, always doing something to make us smile, even when he muddies up our white tile floor because he's too excited to wipe his paws on the mat. Sometimes I find myself staring at Galil, feeling similar to Walt Whitman who marveled that animals were placid and self-contained creatures who did not whine and were not dissatisfied with their lot in life. If only people could be more like this dog, I think, upbeat, friendly, happy.
Galil has been something of a spiritual model for me these past months. Like most of you, the October Storm hit us hard, and that came on top of other adverse weather systems which affected us and our home, just as they have posed complications for many of you and your homes. But while we would struggle, there was Galil, calm, pleasant, cheerful. Truly, I would confess, this creature possesses the innate ability to be appreciative simply be alive.
I am surprised, therefore, that the TaNaKh (the Jewish Bible) seems not to have anything nice to say about dogs. Biblically, dogs appear as vicious, frightening, disgusting, evil. I imagine that if they had Galils of their own, biblical authors might have been inclined to say at least few positive things about dogs.
Typical is this verse from Psalm 22: "Deliver my life from the sword, my very life from the power of the dog." I tend to want to redeem this text by rewriting it to say something like: "Life would feel less oppressive, if we embraced it with the joy of a dog licking its person." In this way, we not only recast the dog as loyally loving and grateful, but hold up life to be the gracious gift from God that faithfully nurtures and sustains us no matter what.
Kathy, Lydia and I will be returning from Israel as you read this. My first chore the morning after we get home will be to bring Galil home from his vacation, playing with his friends at the kennel. I really love our dog.
Reconstructionist Judaism Makes the Heart Joyful, Sharpens the Mind, Brings
Peace to the World
A Teaching from Rabbi Jerry
Blessings,
Rabbi
Jerry
Rabbi
Jerry H. Seidler
Temple
Sinai
50 Alberta Drive
Amherst, NY
14221
(716) 834-0708
www.jrf.org/templesinai
Updated:
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Return to Main Page
