Egyptian Geese : To the Power of Two
These are Egyptian Geese. Before today I’d only ever seen one alone; this is the first time that I’d watched a pair. My first sighting had the joy of novelty. It was my first, and truly this is a singular beast. Its size, glorious coloration, and especially its distinctive eye all give this goose an imposing presence. But as beautiful as my first encounter was, today’s opportunity was even more meaningful. I watched the pair for some time. There was something about the interplay between the two, a dynamic in the way that they interacted, that created an impression on me that was qualitatively different than just the difference in quantity. The two were more - far more - than just twice the one.
Shabbat is a time for pairing. Shabbat was the very first full day shared by Adam and Eve, who were created together - and created to be together. When the Israelites were trekking through the desert, God reinforced the importance of refraining from labor on Shabbat by providing a double portion of manna. We today observe that ancient lesson by adorning our Sabbath tables with two loaves of challah. The mystics teach that on Shabbat we receive an extra soul, that we are filled and made whole in a way that on an ordinary day we can barely contemplate. And our Friday evening service initiates our observance by personifying Shabbat as a royal bride entering into a sublime and mystical marriage, a pairing.
There are depleting circumstances, when we feel less even than one. Often, challengingly, we are unaware. When our focus is captured by externalities, attention-stealers, we can be oblivious to our drained internal resources. Lacking our own full oneness, it is difficult or even impossible to be fully together as a pair. Shabbat, when we honor it, is a sure restorative. The Priestly Benediction culminates with a prayer for peace, for wholeness. We can again be part of a couple present in every dimension: physical, psychological, spiritual. Seeing these Geese, marveling at their full synergy, reminds me of Shabbat’s transformative energy which enables our own meaningful pairings.