As we stood overlooking the water and inlets of Miami and the Atlantic Ocean, and the beautiful Chassidic melodies played in the background, the bride (my sister in law Chana) and groom, Eitan, stood under the Chuppah and began their journey of building a Jewish home and family together.
As the traditional blessings were given to the couple and everyone wished for all the happiness and blessings in the world for Chana and Eitan, the remarkable ways of how they met, how their spark was lit, and how this relationship all began, were a powerful reminder of the Divine Providence, that was pulling all the strings and moving all the pieces, so that this groom and bride and their respective journeys will come together and become one soul.
It is true of them and true of every marriage, as the Talmud states, that one of the things that G-d is busy doing since creation, and which is considered as difficult as the Splitting of the Sea, is matching up souls with their other half and soulmate.
The warm ocean breeze of Miami and the blessings that were shared under the Chuppah, were a reminder of G-d's involvement in the daily and indeed the most powerful and intimate moments and experiences of our lives and marriages.
The Chuppah Ceremony neared its end, the groom prepared to smash the glass to remember the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and the suffering of the exile. Indeed even in the happiest of moments, we remember that not all is as it should be in the world around us.
Then everyone's hearts and minds were transported east, to Jerusalem, as a powerful song and prayer was sung, to protect our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land and for the restoration of peace and the return of the hostages.
The music stopped, a thud was heard as the glass shattered under the foot of the groom.
Mazal Tov! Eitan & Chana were through the splitting of the sea, they were now married!
As we approach Passover and think of the many formidable obstacles and challenges we may face individually or as a society, which at times can become overwhelming on so many levels, we are reminded that G-d has given us the power to do what is right and to succeed, no matter how challenging it may seem.
Indeed the ship is not adrift, there is a Captain at the helm, there is a direction we are headed in, and the happy music will soon begin to play. We need to keep rowing, stay focused on doing what is right, moral and positive, and know that despite the strong currents that seem to be making it so hard to row and feel like we are moving forward, we are making progress through each and every action we do, to move the world forward to a brighter destiny.
Mazal Tov Eitan & Chana and a life full of blessings and happiness to both of you!
Shabbat Shalom / Good Shabbos
Yisroel