“Cover your bookcases with rugs and linens of fine quality; preserve them from dampness and mice and injury, for it books are your true treasures.”

—Ibn Tibbon (1120-1190), Spanish Jewish scholar

On a recent summer morning before the heat overwhelmed our Valley home, Adam and I had the opportunity to go through boxes of books from graduate school, revisiting old favorites and even discovering written treasures we didn’t know we owned. We both cherish the written word and collected so many books throughout our studies in Jerusalem and New York (even though we had little space in our apartments in both places). Adam, in particular, had the privilege of inheriting an entire collection of books from one of his rabbinic mentors upon the elder rabbi’s retirement. In short, we are joyfully drowning in books and are grateful for the wisdom and beauty they provide in our home and in our lives. 

While our tradition teaches us that no item can serve as a physical representation of the Divine, our sacred texts have rich religious significance because they contain our history, heritage, and spiritual wisdom. And, of course, we experience such joy and meaning when we are in the presence of our Torah scrolls, which, although not godlike themselves, are a physical representation of the joy and wisdom of our tradition. Each week when we read Torah at our b’nai mitzvah services and each year when we dance with the Torah as a community on the High Holy Days through Simchat Torah, there is a palpable communal joy that we share just being in the presence of our sacred texts.

Jewish practice offers us many opportunities to recite blessings over the gifts in our lives. We have, of course, specific blessings for reading Torah, but we also have a blessing anytime we study, anytime we read, anytime we open ourselves up to learn. I hope that this simple blessing will bring you an extra dose of joy and gratitude the next time you read, discover, or join us at Wise in shared study.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יהוה
אֱלהֵינוּ מֶלֶך–הָעולָם
אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָנוּ בְּמִצְותָיו
וְצִוָּנוּ לַעֲסק  בְּדִבְרֵי-תורָה

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha’olam asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu la’asok b’divrei Torah.

“Blessed are You, God, Ruler of the Universe, who sanctifies us with commandments, and commands us to soak up words of wisdom (Torah).”

–Cantor Emma Lutz