The Heavens Declare the Glory of God In memory of Rabbi Moshe Tendler

We all have memories as kids of going to a planetarium and gazing in awe at the stars and galaxies. In truth, all we need to do is go out on a clear night and marvel at the majesty of God. What better way to connect to God than contemplate his creations?  

We are still in the midst of the shiva period for Rabbi Moshe Tendler who for me and countless others embodied the synthesis of excellence in Torah and Science. On Shabbat Bereshit, I reflected on the creation of the constellations. God does not identify them as Orot - Lights but as Meorot - luminaries. The difference being that the Mem at the outset defines these sun, moon and stars as not repporsities of their own light but God’s light. I will never forget Rabbi Tendler introducing me to the well known statement of Maimonides that contemplating  God’s creations, the universe, the human body leads to love and awe of God. 

God works in mysterious ways. The inspiration from Rabbi Tendler was the push I needed to take an idea and make it a reality. Every house of faith should designate annual night at the observatory. King David constantly reminds us in Tehillim “how great are the creations of God”. I learned in my short research that NASA has declared Saturday night, October 16th as International Observe the Moon Night. https://moon.nasa.gov/observe-the-moon-night/. 

In Rabbi Tendler’s memory we are hosting a Night at the Observatory. Everyone is welcome. Sign up here. God willing, it will be an annual event. 

Wherever you are in the world, take the time to look at the stars and gaze at the glory in the Heavens. In the immortal words of David, the experience will both deepen our humility and awe of God  and inspire us to embrace our unique role in reflecting God’s light in the world. 

Credit Steve Labkoff for Photo