Earth Etude for Elul 15

Appreciating Nature’s Gifts

by Rabbi Susan Elkodsi

~The tiny island country of Iceland sits atop two tectonic plates, the North American plate, and the Eurasian plate, which accounts for most of its landscape, along with its continual seismic activity. Thanks to a cousin who chose to have her wedding in Iceland this past May, I had the opportunity to visit just a small area of this amazing place. Miles and miles of lava fields, unable to be cultivated, gave way to rivers and waterfalls, majestic mountains, geysers and glaciers.

I wish I could say that each time I experienced a new wonder, I recited a bracha (blessing) praising God’s creations. I didn’t. The thought didn’t cross my mind, even as the scenery took my breath away. Perhaps that was the blessing I offered, noticing, watching, taking photos, and sharing thoughts.

Walking the streets of downtown Reykjavik at 11pm in what appeared to be broad daylight gave new meaning to an evening stroll and reminded me of the need to appreciate what I have. After all, six months from then we’d be looking at 11 hours of darkness. Icelanders appreciate the gifts of their country and don’t let the weather (or earthquakes, volcanoes) stop them.

And speaking of volcanoes, as we were preparing to leave Iceland, the Sundhnúkur volcano, which had begun erupting in December 2023, after centuries of dormancy, graced us with a sight most people never see, and from a safe distance from about 50km away.

Beauty and nature are all around us. May we be blessed to stop and notice it, to be mindful of nature’s gifts, and appreciate the work of the Holy Creator.

Rabbi Susan Elkodsi (AJR ’15) is the spiritual leader of the Malverne Jewish Center since August of 2015. In 2019 Rabbi Elkodsi received a Rabbinic Certificate in Gerontology and Palliative Care from the Wurzweiler School of Social work at Yeshiva University; and hopes to soon have published a Torah Commentary for older adults, written by older adults, through Ben Yehuda Press. Susan is passionate about helping Baby Boomers and older adults to find meaning and purpose in their lives within the context of Jewish tradition and teachings, and as part of a Jewish community, however they see themselves. Her website is www.babyboomerrabbi.com.

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