A Moment in Time: Hitting the “Shift” Key

Dear all,

In my spare time (which is rare) I enjoy Lego projects. My latest is a very cool typewriter with lots of moving parts. As I placed the finished product on a shelf (out of reach of toddler hands), I took notice of the “Shift” key.

Now, on a computer, this key is entirely electronic. But on an old typewriter the movement is mechanical, and when pressed, the shift key lifts/ elevates part of the machine. It’s pretty cool.

I think we all need to activate a shift key every once in a while. We need to see things from another perspective, to emotionally reposition our outlook, and to spiritually transpose our expectations.

In Jewish prayer, there is lots of body movement (bending of knees, getting on our tip toes, bowing….). While there is certainly theological meaning behind this choreography, it’s also a way of ritually engaging our shift key. But we don’t have to do it only in prayer!

What an opportunity we have to take a moment in time each day to hit our shift key, embrace life with a new lens, and write our next chapter. How will hitting your shift key make a difference?

With love and Shalom,

Rabbi Zach Shapiro