Friday, November 14, 2008

Day Three


Let’s see, did we ride bikes today? Oh yes, that must have been what we were doing just before we checked into this hotel in Mitzpe Ramon where I just finished receiving a soothing Swedish massage. Everything before that is sort of lost in the haze.

I can remember now...the third consecutive “morning” rising under a black sky, the moon still quite full above. Today’s ride was shorter than the previous two days in order that we all get settled in here before Shabbat. Candle lighting is only a few minutes away at 4:12 pm. Some of our group opted for an additional off-road cycling experience. I chose not to. Let’s see...a couple of hours of bumpy mountain biking or a massage? Hmmmmmmmm....

Heading out as early as we do does provide some spectacular moonsets and sunrises. Today’s panoramas reminded me of the United States southwest, as little of it as I’ve ever seen. The thrill of riding down long slopes with seemingly unending landscapes spread out in all directions. Buttes. Mesas. Canyons. Whatever they are called here. Very hospitable weather. If I believe my bike’s gauge it may have gotten into the eighties in the middle of the day, but the breezes made it feel much cooler—quite unlike the three-digit temperatures experienced in the last May ride.

One vantage point from which to gaze on the vast Negev is the terrace at David Ben Gurion’s grave site. Ben Gurion, the “George Washington” of Israel lived out his waning days on a kibbutz in the Negev that he so loved. Unlike other Israeli dignitaries he chose to be buried here rather than the military cemetery in Jerusalem if for no other reason than to lure others here to add to populating the desert. Our stop here included breakfast and davening at the edge of the canyon. The backdrop for prayer today made yesterday’s scene pale in comparison.

The ride itself consisted of a series of long steady climbs. For every rise there is a fall, which in this case is a good thing. The descents were often spectacular evoking once again my involuntary gleeful shouts.

Anticipating the challenge of the long climbs, the staff encouraged us to select someone to whom we would each dedicate today’s ride. I have mentioned in previous blogs that with our event starting on the anniversary of my father’s death he would be in my heart this week. Today, however, I focused my energy on my brother. I wrote his Hebrew name—harav Yisrael Lev ben harav Shimon—on a label and affixed it to my jersey as we were asked to do. There were times when each push of the pedal was a real challenge. Weeks ago, when my knees ached during training, I would silently chant with each stroke of the pedals—words like “strength” and “healing”—and direct this to my knees. Today, when the uphill going got tough, with every stroke, I sent healing, strength, courage, and wholeness (shalem) to Jeff.

I have never more looked forward to a Shabbat than this one at Mitzpe Ramon. I certainly look forward to the physical rest. After the intensity of touring and cycling I look forward to the spiritual breather as well.

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