Guest Authors
Raking my Roof
I just finished raking my roof. Now for those of you who are not blessed with snow, let me explain what "raking the roof" means. When significant amounts of snow build up on the roof of a house it creates little ice jams along the edge of the roof. If this pressure is not relieved, then as the snow melts the water cannot flow off the roof in an easy manner. It then builds up under the shingles of the house and can often times leak into a home through the ceiling. Therefore, it becomes helpful to "rake off" some of the snow to allow better melting to take place, ensuring the flow of melting snow makes its way to the gutters of the house. To give you an idea of what I mean, here is a picture of me with my roof rake raking my roof. (For those who live in warmer climates this is about 2+ feet of ground cover of snow.)
Anyway, as I was raking my roof with this long-armed tool I began to think of the words from the Haggadah that says that God delivered the people from Egypt with an outstretched arm. I thought of my roof rake and how it helps to keep my roof in good repair and relieves the pressure of the snow. God worked the same way with the Israelites. With his outstretched arm he delivered them from the ice jam of slavery and brought them to the free-flowing land of Israel.
I give thanks to God that his outstretched arm is still at work today. There are two ways that I see God's outstretched arm has delivered me personally. The first is the internet. If it had not been for the internet I may have never heard the Torah message. If it had not been for the blessing of email I may never have been in contact with Boaz Michael and taken my first steps to see the wonder and beauty of Torah. The second way that God's outstretched arm still works is in the blessing of community--people joining together to learn, study and grow as the redeemed people of God.
As I pulled snow off my roof with the rake I began to think about the awesome grace of God and how he put both of those elements together in one place. The Torah Club Online Forum has been a way for FFOZ to take the power and blessing of the internet and create a virtual community that learns, studies, and grows together. This added bonus to the Torah Club is a place for people to gather with questions not only about the Torah Club material, but also with other questions of theology, halachah, and our life as believers.
If you are not currently a Torah Club member I invite you to check out the information on the Torah Club. It is never too late to join and there is always room in community. Also, if anyone of you would like to help rake my roof feel free to stop by Wisconsin anytime. I will have the rake ready!
Shalom,
Bill
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Visitor Feedback:
I couldnt agree more with Bill, I used to shy away from forums as I thought them to be for computergeeks:D But this is very different, people from all different backgrounds and places in society are here with all one aim; to learn the ways of he Master. Its truly a goldmine of information and features meeting a lot of great people.
So dont delay, just register and we all look forward to welcoming you:D
Daniel K | December 26, 2007 4:49 AM
Yep, that rake is standard equipment here in Michigan, too. We just had to replace a leaking roof, so keeping it clear of snow is a real priority for my husband.
I hadn't thought of it from a Torah perspective before, but I guess all believers have a "new roof" that the Torah "rake" helps us keep clear.
Next time it snows, I can tell my husband that metaphorically he's keeping his family in good spiritual condition. :)
MJ
MJ Belko | December 26, 2007 7:12 AM
Bill
Although we don't get snow like that down here in Alabama, that rake could sure coome in handy to get all the leaves off the roof! :)
**Bill's Response: Jeff, it also comes in handy getting wayward frisbees.
Jeff | December 26, 2007 5:00 PM
Hmmmm...we have no need for roof rakes here, but we do need "Moss-Off" or "Moss-B-Gone" for our roofs. I'll need to work on that analogy :-)
As for the forum - the people there are really friendly & welcoming! I check it daily & tend to learn something new each time!
Shalom!
Pati in WA | December 26, 2007 5:24 PM