THE TAPESTRY OF LIFE

The Tapestry of Life

August 31, 2012

“See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright — but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness.” — Habakkuk 2:4

We are living with a lot of uncertainty these days. Finances are slippery, world politics are changing, and even the weather seems to defy what we would expect. How does a righteous person find solid footing in such an unpredictable and confusing world?

The prophet Habakkuk provides us with an answer for all time: “The righteous person will live by his faithfulness.” We find solace in our faith.

The Sages teach that our world is like a tapestry. Every tapestry has two sides; the front where everything is neat and orderly, and the back where threads are cut and tied. Even though both sides are made with exactly the same threads, the pictures they produce are completely different. On the front side, there is a beautiful design. The other side, however, is a mess.

All of history is producing one enormous and gorgeous tapestry. However, at this time, we are only able to see the backside. Nothing makes sense, and everything seems chaotic. The picture is ugly, and we wonder, “What in the world is the artist thinking?”

But there is another side to the tapestry, yet to be revealed. On that side, nothing is out of place and every thread is where it ought to be. The picture is clear and perfect. If we were to see it, we would stand in awe at its beauty and brilliance. We would understand the artist’s intention all along.

To live in faithfulness means to look at the tapestry of life from our side and to say, “I know how it looks. It’s confusing and not very pretty. But I know that on the other side there is a beautiful picture in the making. Everything makes perfect sense and is exactly as it should be.”

Friends, as we continue to travel through uncertain times, let us remember that one thing is certain. The Lord our God is the artist creating this tapestry, and in the end, everything will be beautiful.

With prayers for shalom, peace,


Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President