Dear Doves,
      A number of us have been looking to the stories in Genesis about the Noah family. These have been applied to the days and times of Noah concerning the month of Cheshvan. Of particular interest are Cheshvan 10-17, in a timeline of 10-25 to 27. The Master, who is The Living Torah, reminds us of the days of Noah in Matthew 24. However, the stories in Genesis about Noah and Lot are connected by the all important theme of mandatory escape.  The Noah stories are followed by the Lot stories. Do we err if we concentrate on the Noah stories to the exclusion of the Lot stories?
      How and when can significant numbers of people, symbolically spiritually, relive and relearn the days and times of  Noah and Lot? When is now, in Autumn. How is in the application of the reading, of the annual basis, weekly Torah reading cycle. The Noah portion was week 2 and we are in the week 5 portion about Lot until the weekend. This will end a 21 day Noah/ Lot cycle. Each Torah portion is extended for 6 days for rereading, reliving, learning, and application. This is customary, rather than one day only on Shabbat.
      The Torah reading cycle has a cumulative effect. It is meant to be progressive revelation! When do the days and times of the Noah family make the most sense? Might it be when the Lot week concludes? Spiritually, a case can be made that the Lot portion completes the Noah portion. Both are important. Looking to the Noah stories, per se, is not complete.
      The Lot portion week goes from 10-23 to 29. For those places far behind Israel on the 24 hour grid of a day, an extra day must be added  for their Shabbat. This ends on 10-30 for places like Africa, China, and Russia. Symbolically, then the days and times of Noah and Lot are complete. Most of the world will be in 10-30 as Israel goes to 10-31 at her midnight hour. Will there be much thought about the days and times of Noah and Lot? NO. Will there be any thought of taking an escape route, if offered? NO. Many will be thinking about football, sports, costumes, accessories, parties, food, and drinks. The expectation will be life as usual. In day and time it will be on the verge of All Hallows Eve, a day and night concerned with such themes as death, darkness, fear, horror, and terror. The Master promises to arrive on a day and time when few are watching for Him. He will be an unexpected one to surprise many. As He said. "The night is coming when no man can work." Come quickly, Lord...
 
With Love and Shalom,
Jean