The Mouth of G-d, The Hand of Moshe

 I have been quite sick - a sickness which I learned just recently was COVID - and have felt very distant from both G-d and Torah.  I think I once heard something about not praying or studying Torah when sick.  I need to look into more what is sure to be a fascinating issue more.

Determined to at least study Torah tonight, I dove into Parasha Naso.  I need to say that my reading comprehension is definitely down - I loved reading the Hebrew but I don't think I comprehended much of the English translation - other than to say that the Gershonim carried the covers and the Merarim carried the heavy stuff - the poles.  (Candidly, I don't even remember studying it, but this must meant that the Kehatim got the cool stuff - the ark, menorah, altars, and washbasin).  I do remember another interesting verse that before anything was moved, I believe Aharon himself had to come in and cover the ark with the parochet (dividing curtain).  And then, moving back to today, a count was taken of about 8000 in total of the sons of Levi - Kehat, Gershon, and Merari.  

In any case, I did dial in on a phrase which I'm not sure if I remember from elsewhere in the Torah, which is al-pi H', bi-yad Moshe - upon the Mouth of G-d and on the hand of Moshe.

I wrote a few weeks ago about my three core values, one of which is that creation is a partnership between H' and every individual.  (For the sake of repetition, and because I think I just be able to list my core Jewish values fluently, the other two are that each individual must make the first move and the "meaning of life" is growing closer and resembling/hearing the call of H'.)

In any case, what a beautiful partnership it is: G-d speaks, and we do.

And maybe even sometimes - and I have to say this brings a smile to my face thinking about the power of prayer: We speak, and G-d does.

Or in the example of the Exodus: We do (offer the korban pesach), and G-d does.

And of course, in the example of Avraham and Moshe, who argued, with spoke to, and cajoled G-d: We speak, and G-d speaks (back).  

And everything in reverse.  The only thing - much to my own surprise - which I'm not sure can come first is "G-d does."  

But the take-away is that it is a partnership - I mean, not to say that G-d is "nothing" - but at least in this level of creation, one is "nothing" without the Other.

A partner who I am asking to please continue to heal me and my family.  And I will do, and speak, anything to effectuate my end of this partnership.