Rabbi Shira Stern on G-d’s “Larger Presence”

“I Believe in Nature”

Often when I speak with people, they tell me they aren’t religious, in the strictest institutional definition, because they don’t believe in G-d; they do, however, believe in Nature. So I push them a bit. "What do you mean when you refer to Nature?" I ask. They reply that they find spiritual solace, grandeur, awesomeness and peace in striking sunsets and beautiful cloud formations. When they experience the violence of a summer storm, they are reminded of a Larger Presence through the peals and flashes that fill the air.

It is natural, therefore, that some of the most durable and evocative images of G-d described in the biblical text are those described first in Exodus: "And G-d went before the Israelites in a pillar of cloud by day, to guide them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light that they might travel day and night" (Exodus 13:21). However, “if the cloud did not lift, they would not set out until such time as it did lift" (Exodus 40:37). They knew that G-d was always with them.

And then we are faced with the curious story of Miriam and Aaron speaking against their brother Moses’ monopoly on leadership in Numbers 12. G-d reacts forcefully to this gossiping, calling all three of them together so that everyone is clear about the infraction. G-d reminds them that only Moses is granted special prophetic status that guarantees straight communication: "With him, I speak mouth to mouth, not in riddles." When the dust settles, and the cloud lifts, Miriam is white with leprosy. Aaron panics, pleads with Moses to pray on Miriam’s behalf, and G-d responds by insisting that while the illness will be temporary, Miriam must be isolated outside the camp for seven days. She was all alone, away from the others, surrounded only by her illness.

What can we as chaplains do with this story? How do we find a way to model compassionate care in a world that regularly isolates the sick, the infirm, the otherwise different from its midst? And where is G-d for Miriam?

I think the answer lies embedded in the text. We know that the Israelites never moved without the pillars of cloud or fire, without G-d’s presence to accompany them, like children who stay close to their parents’ side in strange surroundings. And we read that G-d is incensed against Miriam and Aaron. Why, then, do we read that "the people did not march on until Miriam was readmitted." (Exodus 12:15) Why not leave her behind to experience her punishment alone? And why even mention the fact that the community stayed put?

I see this as the first CPE paradigm presented and patterned by G-d: being present with a patient in her suffering. If the Israelites didn’t move on, then the cloud had not lifted, and if the cloud had not lifted, then it meant that G-d was still there.
G-d did not leave Miriam while she was relegated, albeit for a short time, outside the safety of her community. Miriam healed as G-d’s presence stood firmly in place. And when she was able to return, the people moved on to continue their journey.

As chaplains, we can’t always be there for everyone, at all times, whenever we are needed; it would be a physical impossibility. But we can try to provide a therapeutic, peaceful presence for our patients, our clients and our residents. Sometimes knowing that our support system is nearby, is comforting enough. And when it is not enough, G-d will be there, waiting along with the patient, for the illness to take its course. "Surely, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You, G-d are with me." (Psalm 23:4)

So when I hear about G-d in Nature, in the clouds and in the thunder and lightning, I agree with all my soul.