Community Building

There is this piece of land. It’s wild and, save for the rough cut in road that requires a 4-wheel drive vehicle, and the self-sufficient home and shop, is completely undeveloped. On top of a mountain with views that are indescribable, this is a home that requires dedication to solitude. The nearest neighbor is acres away down the mountain – sitting in the doorway of the tiny home on this land I believe we’d be closer to the Air Force jets that patrol the skies than to any other homes.

I’ve not been to this remote homestead. I’ve been to its boarder – to its closest neighbor far down the mountain and stared longingly up the dirt road cut in the mountainside. I’ve seen the glint of the home’s metal roof from across the valley – the only man-made structure at the very tip top of the mountain.

I dare not venture up to see the homestead in person. The pictures I’ve seen are enough to make me want to live there… going there to place my hands on the wooden walls, to feel the wind on my face, to look over the 360 degree views would be just too much. My mind would start spinning in hopes of finding a way to make this place our home. Being for sale and rather affordable – apparently there are not too many people like us who wouldn’t mind being almost completely separated from the rest of the town – it is too tempting to visit.

I can envision living there – coming into town a few times a year to restock on supplies and then returning to our mountaintop hideaway – this sounds most delightful to me.  Spending days on end out in the field in personal prayer with no distractions – it seems this would be an ideal situation. I could be focused. I could spend time observing nature and searching for the Divine messages. I could meditate to the sounds of the birds and the wind. But is this what Hashem wants from me? From us?

I don’t believe so.

Rabbi Arush tells us in the Universal Garden of Emuna “…there is no reason in the world for a Noahide to convert to Judaism. Indeed, if he does, he’ll lose his influence on his surroundings. A person is not readily influenced by someone who is different from him. Yet, a person can easily exert influence on his natural surroundings, for his neighbors and friends will more readily accept his influence than that of a foreigner. Those who have merited to learn emuna are obligated to spread emuna and the Seven Noahide Commandments to all of mankind. They are consequently better off to stay where they are, for the Creator wants them there to perform an important task.”

If we separate ourselves from others, how are we supposed to accomplish our job of spreading emuna and sharing the Seven Noahide Commandments? How are we supposed to support and encourage one another in our paths as Noahides if we are not connected and involved with community?

Despite the speed at which the Noahide community is growing, in many areas we are spread few and far between. In my town, outside of my immediate family, I have yet to meet anyone who even knows what the term Noahide means. And yet, according to what we’ve learned, this is exactly where I’m supposed to be. This is where I can make the most difference.

I’ve communicated with Noahides in other towns around the US and internationally who are equally isolated – desiring community and finding none around them. Many of us have come from other organized religions where it seemed just about every other street corner had a congregation, an opportunity to be a part of a community. We now find ourselves in a new position – a position that calls us to do more than just join an existing community…. Now we must build community, find connection, spread emuna and share the Seven Noahide Commandments.

Sometimes this community may take the shape of face to face get-togethers such as hosting study groups in our homes or coordinating larger meetings within our towns. Other times the community may be virtual such as our “Garden of Emuna” study group that meets via video conference technology. Perhaps you might build community by sharing articles on emuna, by handing out emuna books and CDs and by offering encouraging words to those around you. The options to build community and share emuna are many. I encourage you to spend time in personal prayer and speaking with your Spiritual Advisor on how you might go about this important task.

As always – you’re welcome to reach out to me at the email below if you’d like to chat.

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Jennifer invites you to participate in a regularly held Noahide on-line study group that reviews the garden series books of Rabbi Arush. You can contact her at jenniferjwoodward@gmail.com to be added to the weekly newsletter for dates and times. Visit the blog at noahidenews.blogspot.com