Today Was the Shabbath Yitro The Day We Read Shemot 18:1-20:26

I need my vowels! Give me my vowels! I have seen Hebrew without the voewls and being the novice I am I was completely lost.Oy, no vowels.

Greetings Adoniah, What a beautiful write up. I am not Jewish, please don't hold that against me, so much of what you wrote I am learning. However I do respect your beliefs and practices and always find it amazing that someone can feel their Faith in a moment unexpected. I feel my Faith everyday, but I do have moments that floor me and know that I am blessed. My walk of Faith began at a young age and I have seen miracles in my walk. I stumbled upon your writing and I believe we are all sent to see things that are important for us. Often those with the same strength find each other, or those needing strength and guidance, so on and so forth. Yes, what you are talking of has happened to me several times. From the birth of my son William, to my daughter Sarai. From Alaska to Maine to New York. When my writing as a journalist became published and picked up, I saw the difference. Everyday it is possible to have a different moment, then there is the time it just explodes and you feel what you know to be true. For me that is Faith and guidance. Shalom, and Blessed Be Aingealicia

I don't know it could mean a number of things. 1.) Hearing the passage anew, hearing new meaning and significance in it that you had not perceived before, sometimes this can be visceral as well as just an intellectual insight. 2) Having an emotional response to the text. 3) The kind of experience which is hard to describe, where one sees with eyes anew, awakened eyes, where all remains the same yet is somehow different. A shaft of sunlight breaks through the gloom and transports us. Transports us from where we are to exactly where we are. all the best urban

Adoniah, the particulars of this holy day are beyond my knowledge of Judaism; however, on a purely spiritual basis, I can understand and appreciate the essence of your experience. It's occasions like this that religion reinforces one's faith.

The Hebrew meaning of "Shemot" is "Names". Parashat "Yitro" is dealing with "Exodus" which is the Hebrew transformation from Slavery into FREEDOM. 'Funny' that I received this from you today... I Lost my Mom on Jan 21 & she was buried on Jan 23, which is my Late Father's Birthday. My Mom didn't choose her burial-date, yet she was reunited with her mate on his birthday. Finaly, after 15 years, since she lost him, they reunite. They are back at 'Freedom' -- together at last. I envy you for your feelings back there on the "Bima". We are NOT suppose to know everything -- we are just/only human. I'm sure you'll be 'told' of the/your reason why it was different this time... THANKS Shabat-Shalom' Arieh