Let me explain. In the English language, the word “faith” is, indeed, a noun. The Miriam-Webster dictionary tells us that faith means a. an allegiance to duty or to a person; b. belief and trust in and loyalty to G-d or a firm belief in something for which there is no proof. Yet, while one may hold a belief or “have faith,” it is only when one takes action or makes a choice based upon this belief that faith truly comes alive. When we need to measure our beliefs – our faith – against our actions and attitudes we engage in the process of “verb-izing” the word faith.
As the Israelites stood on the shore of the Sea of Reeds they must have been in the process of “faith-ing.” Rational thought would have led the Israelites to put up the white flag and head back to Egypt, seeing the option to jump into the seas as sure death. They could have just stood there, presuming that “if they were meant to be free, G-d would make it so.” Yet, we know that is not what happened.
Torah says that it is when Moses raised his staff over the waters – when he showed evidence of his belief by becoming a partner in the process of change – the waters parted. Midrash tells the story a bit differently, noting that it was when Nachshon ben Aminadav was willing to walk into the water praising G-d with each step that the waters opened. Either way, the story is of people having enough faith to take a new and extraordinary course of action.
Each one of our ancestors who took steps through the walls of water also had to engage in “faith-ing.” They had to suspend the rational thought that the waters would crash in and consume them in order to find the energy to lift their feet and walk forward towards freedom. These individuals changed the course of history because they were willing to engage in actualizing their faith with every step.
We live in a complex world. We face decisions at almost every moment. Some may be inconsequential; others monumental. All of them offer us the opportunity to engage in faith-ing. How does the food we buy reflect our values? Does it support workers appropriately – remember it is a mitzvah to pay workers a fair wage each day? Do our food choices help or harm the world we have been asked to tend? Do our words, even if true, need to be said? Do they raise others up or only point out deficiencies that cannot be changed or need not be spread? When we don’t have the resources – time, money, or talents – to do all we want to do, how can our choices reflect what we believe most moves our values and purpose forward?
Like our ancestors we can take steps each day to change the course of history. They might not be as grand as crossing the sea of freedom 600,000 strong, but that did not happen for our ancestors each day either! Those 600,000 individual freedom walkers had to forge new ways to live in a supportive community that valued “we” above “me.”
We will each face some “big” decision moments in our lives and far more small ones. When we engage the values of our faith – values of supporting the community and those in need, of respect for all, and of active partnership with others and G-d – in our choice of word or deed – we will continue to change history for the better.
Prior to her position with the Grinspoon Foundation, Iris served as a synagogue educator in Syracuse NY, the Central New York PJ Library Program Coordinator and as a national consultant for PJ Library.
Iris holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education, a master’s degree in Special Education and Reading, and Advanced Certification in School Leadership and Administration. Her experience as a secular educator and educational leader in congregational and community settings spans over 20 years. She is also a lay leader in Jewish organizations on the local and national levels. Iris served as the President of CAJE – the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education, which was the largest member organization for Jewish educators in the country.
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