As I reflect on this, I recognize internally I have biases and knowledge that I believe are on firm ground. But upon further review, if I’m honest with myself, I can see really isn’t. If I didn’t read the Torah today, I am not sure I would have realized fully that there were 14 of certain animals.

This causes me to pause and think about what other paradigms I may be holding onto that I believe are true, but if I was willing to look deeper I might see a different reality.

Another piece of today’s portion includes the seeming contradiction between 40 days of rain and 40 days of flood.

Rashi wrote; “the verse states ‘There was rain on the earth for forty days and nights’ suggesting that there was only comparatively harmless ‘rain.’ Yet the Torah sends a different message later: ‘The flood was in the earth for 40 days (verse 7:17) indicating a much stronger downfall. We can resolve this contradiction by explaining that when God brought the rains down, He initially brought them down with mercy, so that if the people would repent, they would be rains of blessing (v. 12). When they failed to repent, the rains became a flood.”

As we look out today to our world, I see in my own life, how Hashem starts gently trying to bring me to turn things around. In my opinion, Hashem’s goal isn’t for us to “do what is right” as much as it is to connect with Him. That’s what He desires. Connection. The mitzvahs written about in the Torah (some would call them laws) aren’t to keep us controlled; they are to connect us to Him.

I’m chewing on this today. Hashem desires us to connect. Hashem wants us to know Him. Don’t rely on what we “think” we know about Hashem. Dig into the reality of Hashem to know who he is and what He desires for us.

Last thought. We are limited because of language in how we talk about Hashem. I use male gender pronouns in talking about Hashem; but that is limiting. Using “they” or “she” all has different connotations.

For me, the choice I make is connected to losing my own father when I was 15. There is a gap in my development because of this loss. Hashem has been a patient father to me over the years in many different ways. This is why I use the male pronouns often when thinking about Hashem.

If I reflect more, there are times Hashem is a mother to me. There are also times “They” seems applicable (after all this weeks portion includes language “let US make man in our image.”). All this to say, in my writings if pronouns get in the way of connection with what I’m writing, I welcome all to use the pronounce that most connect you with Hashem. After all, as I stated earlier, that’s the point (I think).

Please feel free to comment and engage! What are the areas you think are on firm foundation but may not be? Where is Hashem trying to connect with you today?