• Snow is mentioned in the Mishna in Mikvaos (7:1) and being a possible way to fill a kosher mikva.

*******************************

Covered in white snow

by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine

The snow had been coming down for hours throughout the night. Weather reports had been coming in about some serious snowfall throughout the region. It was cold; it was windy. But there was no chance of using a car this morning to get to shul. It was time for Shacharis, so I put on my boots and coat and prepared to brave the elements.

I made my way gingerly into the winter wonderland. The quiet was so serene; the privacy was so powerful. The snow was higher than my boots, so I walked methodically trying to wade through the snow in a most purposeful way. And then I saw it… Footprints.

Coming out of my neighbor’s driveway were footprints. From the look of the fresh snow that had started to cover the prints I could tell that he must have walked there about hour ago. Clearly he had gone to the early minyan.

I continued up the block towards the shul. The streets were deserted as could well be predicted, but coming from each house were footprints. Sometimes it was just one set, going and returning from the early minyan. Sometimes the return footprints were not yet there, because many chose to stay and learn after davening as their offices had been officially closed due to the storm.

As I neared the shul I saw the prints of multiple people. It was like out of a story book: The large Daddy prints, along with the prints of his two young children. I knew them. They liked to daven early on snow-days so that they could help shovel the snow of their elderly neighbors.

And so it was as I finally reached the shul. The streets were still deserted of any cars, but the sidewalk was already well trodden. Even as I approached I knew it would be buzzing with activity as it always was. A snow day would be a day packed with Torah, chessed, and family fun. For those too far to walk there would be conference calls and skype sessions. Looking at the white blanket-like cover that enveloped everything I could not help but think of the comparison to the high holidays where white represents cleanliness and a fresh, new, sin-free beginning.

With a smile in my heart I thought the words of the grateful farmer who brought his Bikurim and declared, “Look from heaven… and bless.”

© 2015 by TEACH613™