Shalom, all of you lovers of Wilderness and of Torah, as we walk this path together!
Every year, as we complete the counting of the Omer, โ the 7 weeks of incremental spiritual work that starts with the Exodus from enslavement and narrowness at Pesah and ends with Revelation on Mt. Sinai at Shavuot โ we begin the reading of the fourth book of the Hebrew Bible named โBemidbarโ, literally, โin the wilderness.โ
And, each year, I remind myself to connect with a core teaching of the rabbis as they ask why we must receive Torah โ davka/specifically โ in the midbar, in the wilderness, and every year this teaching takes on new meaning:
โThrough three elements, the Torah was given โ fire, water and wilderness. Why eish/fire? Because the Mountain was smoking as the Mystery descended in fire. And why mayim/water? Because the dense foggy clouds that covered the Mountain (and into which we ascend to encounter the Divine) dripped water. And why midbar/wilderness? Because just all three of these elements are free for us to access, so words of Torah are free!ย
And, further, we must make ourselves ownerless and unclaimed and exposed โ hefker– like the wilderness so we will be able to receive our personal Torah download eachyear [Bemidbar Rabba 1:7].
Wilderness is a place of wildness, of wondrousness, of wondering, and of wandering [and even of bewilderment to borrow from Aviva Zornbergโs teachings].ย We are all too aware that fire and water, while essential to life, can be both healing and destructive. These three elements invite us to open to both fear and reverence. We are invited to ask:
What about fire, water and un-boundedness are the conditions for receiving revelation?
We contemplate how we might do the inner work of becoming “hefker”, a vessel that is both unclaimed and vulnerable for this receiving.ย
The Torah describes that the Presence descended as Moses ascended into the fiery dense cloud on Sinai. And midbar/wilderness is the container that holds this connection between immanence and transcendence, between potential and manifestation, between incarnate beings and the Oneness.ย
When we throw ourselves open to the communication that comes through fire and water and wilderness, we may perhaps enter into that which is unknown and unfolding. In not being attached to a particular answer, we connect to the Grand Mystery from which we are inseparable.ย
I donโt yet know the messages I will receive from fire, water and wilderness on Shavuot this yearโฆ AndโฆI can become more available by letting go of attachment to the content of any answers I might receive.
I choose to enter into the practice of opening my heart, mind and soul so that there will be space to hear, see, feel and know the transmission I must receive this year.ย ย
What a blessing to share community with you as we support each other in holding such a profound intention!ย
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If you would like to know more about doing your own wilderness encounter this summer, to explore answers from the great beyond, you are invited to join our FREE online class this week:
The Torah of Mountains
Neshama Quest, Shavuot and the Ancient Wisdom of High Places
Thursday, May 29, 2025 | 5:00โ6:00 pm PT | Online
With Rabbi SaraLeya Schley and Daniel Schindelman Schoen
All are welcome!
REGISTER HERE
OR, sign up to join us in the Lake Tahoe National Forest this summer:
Adult Neshama Quest
Wednesday, Aug. 6 โ Sunday Aug. 10, 2025
A 4-night transformational Jewish adventure in the California Wilderness. For adults of all ages (18+)
LEARN MORE & REGISTER
With much love and blessing,
Rabbi SaraLeya
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About the Author:
Rabbi SaraLeya Schley was ordained in 2005 by the ALEPH Ordination Program, for which she currently teaches. She is passionate about studying Jewish mystical texts. Currently a resident of Sparks, NV, she is mother to 3 and savta to 5. An adjunct leader, teacher and elder, she has been part of the Wilderness Torah community since its inception. She is Rabbi Emerita at Chochmat HaLev in Berkeley. Please contact her directly atย rabbisaraleya@gmail.comย for information about classes, life-cycle facilitation, and guidance for living an intentional Jewish life.
