Amidah

For one thousand years, our Israelite ancestors presented to God two daily offerings of fire, at dawn and at dusk, serving up to our deity of wind and fire the aromatic smoke of roasting lamb.

            In the year 70 of the Common Era, our holy city Jerusalem was burned to the ground, subduing forever our fascination with sacred fire.  From that moment forward, the daily fire offerings were replaced by three daily “standings,” in which we rise up from our workbench, from our couch, from our fatigue and from our doubts, and take three steps forward into the presence of God.

            There we take our stand, feet planted together, presenting ourselves, imperfect but fully human.  The animals, the grain and the oil we offer are our own energies, thoughts and emotions.  In daily worship, we learn to relinquish and to receive in return the elemental substances of our lives.