Monday, March 17, 2008

Dance of Glory

It is a noisy, crowded room. Throngs of people jostle in, dancing and singing in unrestrained joy. The lights above are bright; there is heat and sweat and tears, together with loud voices in raucous harmony. One man stands off to the side in his own celebration, relishing his surroundings while completely oblivious to them. Despite his solitude his ecstasy encompasses the gaiety of all the revelers around him.

At first glance, the man appears to be dancing and nothing more. Here, in the corner, holding a scroll, and dancing. He even looks a bit odd, his beard flowing with the rhythm as he moves. He holds the scroll tightly in his arms, lovingly, respectfully. However there is more to this picture than what meets the eye. This is not just a man dancing with a holy object, this is something stronger, deeper, and more sacred.

Here is a man dancing alone in a crowded room, an old man with a lined face and glowing eyes. Eyes so full of rapture and bliss they seem to take over, so suddenly there are no lines, just a jubilant radiance emanating from his face. He dances with the scroll as a groom dances with a bride, with reverence and awe.

The scroll shines beautifully in a mantle of blue velvet, adorned with a silver crown in majestic glory. He holds the scroll to his heart, with great intimacy, singing his own sweet melody, his hands shaking, his heart pounding. He hugs his bride with all his strength, kissing her with love. They are united in an everlasting bond of love. This is not just a man dancing, This is a man dancing in the service of G-d.