Yesterday we talked about finding joy in little things. Earlier in this project we talked about being surprised by joy. One of our readers pointed out that to experience joy we need to leave space.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to be surprised by joy and to notice it. For that I am grateful

• In the young Hebrew School student anxiously waiting to show me his Moses action figure, which I can borrow any time to teach about Moses’s Super Powers and his staff.
• In another young student who brought in a piece of art she created for the Rosh Hashanah art project. Horses make her happy.
• In carrying the Torahs during a fire drill and having a neighbor ask if everything is OK.
• In sitting outside on a gorgeous fall day, enjoying lunch with dear friends.
• In savoring the flavors of that lunch.
• In an unexpected game of mini-golf.
• In a brief, heavy downpour that led to a full rainbow over Hoffman Estates and another one over my house.
• In laughter with friends, a good bottle of wine, an excellent steak and Boggle.

If I hadn’t left time or space, or been present to the moment I might not have experienced those things. Leaving space meant not answering my phone playing mini-golf. That call could wait 15 minutes.

In Judaism there is a blessing for rainbows. Blessed are You, Adonai our G-d who remembers the covenant, zocher habrit.

While the blessing says that it is G-d who remembers the covenant, the function of saying it reminds us who are saying it of the covenant, of that promise to not destroy the world again. Part of that mutual covenant is our being partners with G-d to take care of this world.

Rainbows have always played an important part in my life. I am convinced if you look for one you won’t find it. Like joy, you need to be surprised by it. The appearance of this rainbow was perfect. It came after a Bat Mitzvah weekend, where the Bat Mitzvah girl read a portion that promises success in everything you do if you obey the terms of the covenant. She herself had entered the art show with a painting of rainbows and clouds. So the appearance of the rainbow over her hometown seemed “beshert”, destined.

Rainbows are the perfect balance between sun and rain. They remind me of the covenant that G-d has made with humanity and our responsibility to be partners with G-d in taking care of this world. Rainbows fill me with joy.