For the traveling surfer, there are few places that match the splendor of Hanalei Bay on the island of Kauai. When the Creator formulated a model of heaven on Earth, He no doubt had the "Bay" in mind. Here, you paddle out over the sparkling, translucent water,through the ever-present coral heads, toward the perfect lines of island surf, hewn by a warm off-shore breeze. Those who know the island magic, KNOW!
But that's only a part of the Bay experience. In between sets of waves, one can turn his back momentarily (but not TOO long!) on the ocean swells. An almost eery, dreamlike-feeling pemeates ones being while observing an endless waterfall, framed by a rainbow, pastels of color blurred only by the squalls of dropping rain easing into the volcanic valley. The Kauai surfer truly lives in harmony with the elements, adhering to the dictum, "...raise your eyes to the High Places...see who created them!"
This week's Torah portion (Haazinu) reveals a tremendous secret to the Hanaleians (and anybody else!):T he Heavens and Earth give testimony to an order, a covenant of how it shall be. As the rainbow timelessly yields to the darting tropical rays of sun, so does the Earth and its ocean possess an everlasting testimony of our connection withour heritage, with our creator.
Why are the Heavens and Earth called upon to give testimony to this unique bond between Creator and created? They endure forever!, challenging all comers who seek to weaken these eternal bonds (see Rashi ZT"L, 32-1). The opening line, "....hear Heavens, listen Earth...my doctrine droppeth like rain....", hints to us regarding a revolutionary concept: the interweaving of the spiritual (Heavens) with the physical (Earth) The long paddle back from Hanalei Bay is itself a reminder of this eternal pact: one withdraws from the ocean and the gaze is immediately focused on the velvet-like volcanic peaks, the blue sky , and the Above....! Shabbat Shalom!!