Bless this house

In 1927 a song was introduced to the music world, “Bless this House.” Its lyrics emphasize to me the value and importance of God and the houses we build for God’s honor to dwell. Sometimes we forget that these structures exist because we visit them so infrequently. How sad that each generation seems to drift further and further away from connection to God and the message of sanctity and sacrifice.

Read the words: “Bless this house, O Lord we pray. Make it safe by night and day.”

In today’s world of hate and violence, even our houses of worship are not safe anymore. The walls are crumbling from indifference and ignorance. Holiness does not seem to be part of our vocabulary. Ignorance is the overriding influence in the terrible episodes causing destruction and defilement.

“Bless the door that it may prove, ever open, to joy and love.”

How many times have we passed a house of worship to find its doors closed and only opened when the knock is so loud because of fear and doubt? Perhaps the doors are locked because support has dwindled and there are no resources to keep them open. We would rather squander our wealth on frivolous things and self-indulgence to the neglect of our need for spiritual guidance and enlightenment. The doors were designed to be inviting. Now they seem to be closed because of fear.

“Bless the people here within, keep them pure and free from sin.”

Also, in today’s world we find that blessings are few because we do not feel the need for them. It is the sin of selfishness in place of the concern for others that seems to dominate. If we do not care to open the door to faith, then for sure the blessings of life will not find their way to our hearts.

“Bless us all that one day we may dwell, O Lord! With Thee!”

Only in times of turmoil do we even think of salvation and redemption. Only when tragedy turns its ugly head toward us do we then consider the value of prayer and the place to which we enter to utter these prayers. We need to remember being together is how we find the comfort so badly needed. It is in togetherness that we find the ability to offer support to those suffering.

How sad that only when we find ourselves in despair do we search for comfort. How sad that the one time we search for a place to sit and meditate we find the doors chained because of feeling safe. There should be a feeling of sanctity when we gaze upon the Altar and sing in harmony with our desires and needs. With one voice we seek the connection of holiness and tranquility.

Supporting our houses of worship is vital for a people to remain connected to a God who sits and waits for us to visit and open our hearts and minds to the values taught during our lifetime. Some will say words and expect a miracle to occur setting all things right.

Perhaps we should realize that “Letting in God’s Heavenly light” requires us to open our eyes to witness the glory of faith that will lead us to endurance and fortitude. Perhaps this will afford us the opportunity to learn to live our lives in concert with the idea of God as a partner in our quest for meaning and fulfillment.

Bless this house should be a clarion call for us to respond to our obligations to support our houses of worship just as we ensure that our personal houses are kept ready for our living needs--the latter for our personal comfort, the former for our spiritual satisfaction.

May God always give us the courage to accomplish both.

E

E Rabbi Irwin Wiener, d.d.