Trellising – reaching toward the heavens
Some plants are climbers. They grow upward only by grabbing or wrapping around pre existing structures to grow toward the sun. We offer trellising to give the plants we desire in our garden the support to grow in a healthy direction. Part of the power of a Jewish garden us to infuse the creation of a trellis with Jewish story and/or value. Like all mitzvot, we can see trellising as being bein Adam lamokom (human and G!d) or being bein Adam l’ chavero (between human beings). We can understand that the trellis is an illustration of how God holds us up or how we as humans can support each other.
Holding each other for the sake of Heaven
Exodus 17
8 Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Pick some men for us, and go out and do battle with Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill, with the rod of God in my hand.” 10 Joshua did as Moses told him and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 Then, whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; but whenever he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands grew heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur, one on each side, supported his hands; thus his hands remained steady until the sun set. 13 And Joshua overwhelmed the people of Amalek with the sword.
Questions to consider:
Who is it that we battle?
Who is it that we support or that supports us?
What form does that support take?
What do you think Joshua, Moses, Hur, or Aaron said when the support arrived or when the support was no longer needed?
Support from G!d, the Holy One of Blessing
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadth me beside the still waters; He restoreth my soul. He guideth me in straight paths for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Questions to consider:
What are the images of support from God that are recognized in Psalm 23?
Have there been moments in your life that you have felt one of these acts/forms of support from a divine source (directly from what your connection G!d or from what you would say is a G!d sent messenger)?
Connecting the discussion of these texts
to the construction or use of a trellis
I have woven the story and value of support into the creation of trellises in a few ways. One group added their memories or hopes of support to large popsicle sticks that became the ribs of a trellis structure. Another group simply verbally shared their experience of support as we created a trellis together. In both cases the kavannah/intention of our support was tied to the kevah, the structure that gave support to the plants of our garden. As we help the plants we think of how we are helped or how we can help lift others in the journey of our lives.
