Everything Says Something

Dear Momentum Family—

After a month “on the road,” I am finally back in Israel! And for the first time, we are actually doing renovations on our home here, so for the next 12-16 weeks, we will be staying at a friend’s vacation home nearby.

We have lived in many cities and many homes over the years, and very rarely did we ever make any major home improvements, either there was no time, no money, the house wasn’t ours, or all of the above.

Thankfully, we found a wonderful designer through friends that “gets me,” and is helping us pay homage to the history of our place (it is 160 years old and from the Ottoman Empire) while also creating a place to meet our needs and life.

She said to me, “Everything says something.” She so thoughtfully feels colors, textures, and understands how to use space for form as well as function.

And this matters. When the Mishkan, the portable Tabernacle in the desert, is designed, the Torah goes into great detail with instructions regarding color, size, and fabrics. Each had a deeper meaning, and together created an environment where G-d’s presence could dwell.

Our homes today are supposed to be mini sanctuaries, physically and spiritually, holding a family where love and harmony can reign supreme. We are taught that G-d dwells in a home with Shalom, peace.

More than one person told me that renovations can add tremendous stress on a marriage, so we are consciously working on Shalom and focusing on the good, remembering what a true Jewish home is all about. Stay tuned!

From Jerusalem,

Good Shabbos, Shabbat Shalom —

Lori