Rabbi's Blog

I was once again privileged to offer the invocation and benediction at Maritime Day in Lewes, and I shared a bit of Jewish Lore about two seas in the Land of Israel, one that gives and one that receives. I hope you enjoy the story and maybe even find some wisdom in it:

On Maritime Day, we honor givers. The lightships were humble vessels built to serve others. The crews of the Overfalls and the other lightships represent a life of service, giving, and even self-sacrifice. Generous volunteers gave and continue to give of their time and energy to restore and maintain the Overfalls.

Their spirit of giving reminds me of an old parable about two seas in the Holy Land, one fresh and one very salty, one that gives and one that takes.

The first, the Sea of Galilee, in the North of Israel, called Yam Kinneret in Hebrew, because it is shaped like a harp, kinor. This freshwater lake teams with fish and is ringed by rich farmland. The second, the Dead Sea, called in Hebrew Yam HaMelach, the Salt Sea, is ten times saltier the ocean, so salty that only bacteria and microbial fungi can survive in its waters. It is ringed with salt formations (including one said to be Mrs. Lot from the book of Genesis) and surrounded by desert.

An old legend explains that both these seas (actually what we call lakes) receive their water from the Jordan River. But the Sea of Galilee is vibrant and alive, while the Dead Sea, at the lowest altitude on Planet Earth, is harsh and desolate.

What’s the difference between the two seas? The Sea of Galilee has an outlet; it flows outward into the Jordan River, while the Dead Sea to its south can only receive from the river and does not flow outward. From this, says the legend, we learn that those who give flourish, but those who keep everything for themselves dry up and whither. By giving to others, we actually keep ourselves flowing and growing. Giving and sharing bring vitality into our lives.

But that’s not the whole story. If we stop here, we reinforce the idea that giving is good, but receiving is inherently selfish. That’s very problematic.

In our lifetimes, we have times of giving and times of needing to receive. When a family member had a serious health crisis some years back, I had no choice but to accept help, help that sustained us and taught us the true value of a caring community. But for one who is by nature and profession a giver, it was desperately hard to change roles and receive from others, and even harder to ask for help. My daughter cautioned me that if I refused to receive help at that time, I would be stopping the cycle of giving and preventing others from doing good. Indeed, Jewish mystical tradition teaches that the universe exists only because of the interplay of giving and receiving.

If we look more closely at Yam HaMelach, the supposedly “Dead” Sea, we find that it, too, is known for its enlivening and healing qualities. People flock there to experience the healthy properties of its mineral water, oxygen rich air, and uniquely UV-filtered sunshine. They hike and explore the many natural habitats in the area. The sea that receives actually also has much to give. Indeed, the Dead Sea may be giving too much, as the sea is rapidly evaporating and its shoreline receding. There, too, is a lesson: that we need to replenish ourselves, to refill our wellsprings, and avoid getting “dried up” from too much giving.

The Overfalls, Maritime Day, 2024, Lewes

A Prayer:

Source of Life, we are blessed to be here today. We are grateful for what we receive from You and our ability to share our gifts with others. May we always feel the vitality and life-enhancing energy that comes from giving and serving others with love. And may we also have the grace and humility to receive when that is appropriate, allowing others their turn to give, remembering that life itself is a continual dance of giving and receiving, a circulation and a flow, like healthy, life-giving water. Amen. 

Featured Image: Sea of Galilee with sun rays, December, 2018, JHD