This summer I read a novel entitled Finding Grace. Long after I finished the book, I thought about the word “grace” and what it means in a Jewish context. My Christian friends use the word and in a Jewish circle, I am told it is a “Christian” concept. What do you think?
The Hebrew for grace is “chen” meaning unmerited Divine assistance or favor. Grace is a gift from God, given freely. And we read about it in this week’s Torah portion, Noach. In Genesis chapter 6 verse 8 we learn “But Noach found favor with God.” It is an asset or strength from God. We receive other such gifts from the Eternal One like mercy and lovingkindness. We understand these. “Grace” does not feel comfortable for many Jewish souls.
The Torah portion begins by telling us that Noach was “a righteous man; he was blameless in his age; Noach walked with God…” The commentators speculated that if Noach lived in a different age, for example, as a contemporary of Avraham, he would not have been considered righteous. It is relative. Or he was especially righteous because of the age in which he lived. How challenging is it to be principled when surrounded by corruption? Therefore, Noach was deserving of such a distinction.
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What does it mean that “Noach walked with God.” Rashi explained that Noach needed God’s support to be righteous. We may also believe that by walking with God, Noach was living in the presence of God, and able to be virtuous.
Consider with whom you walk with side by side. There is an intimacy in keeping pace with a companion. It takes intentional effort to be in pace with another. The conversation or understanding is parallel. And this is a gift from God.
To act with grace is a Divine feature. We are imperfect, forever recalibrating our hearts and souls to be as one created in the Divine Image. Moreover, grace is something we grant ourselves, especially when we do not feel that we deserve it.
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The following story reminds me of an attitude which brings peace and harmony to my being. “A boy’s mother gives him money for lunch and reminds him, ‘If you see God, say hello’ The boy then sees an elderly woman sitting alone in the park, eating from a paper sack. He offers to share his lunch with her, and they eat and talk, laughing like old friends.”
“When the boy returns home, his mother asks why he is so happy. ‘I had lunch with God.’ He replies. ‘And you know what? She has the most beautiful smile I have ever seen.’”
“Meanwhile, the elderly woman returns to her home, filled with joy. Her son asks her what made her so happy. “I ate Oreos in the park with God,’ she says, ‘and he’s much younger than I expected.’”
Where are the moments of grace in your life? As Dr. Yetta Krinsky wrote, “What do I mean by a moment of grace? A moment where the light shines through. Where more is possible than just what is…A moment in time but beyond time where heaven and earth meet.”
Grace is a moment in time where all is possible because of the love that is bestowed upon us and the invitation to walk with God. Grace means we are counted and are heard. Grace gives us the strength to make a difference through acts of righteousness.
The ark Noach built had an opening for daylight. It was this window (tzhar) that the dove could fly through. Or was the window a source of light and therefore hope? Where do you find moments of time to act as a source of grace to one another? The Days of Awe and not far behind us. Are you still walking with God? Is the window of your soul open to goodness, kindness and love? Join me as we search for and recognize grace in our daily lives. In this way we will embrace righteousness and peace. Allow the light to shine; go beyond time and there shall the Divine and humanity embrace.
