Reflections on Holy Trinity Bach Vespers

Written by Rabbi Sarah Reines

         “Why are we staying home?

      Let us, too, go to the mountains,

      Where we encourage each other,

  And the Spirit’s greetings open the heart,

           To grow joyful and excited

      And the mouth sings in true faith.”

This Johannes Eccard hymn, based on Luke 1:39-43, captured the exquisitely moving and meaningful evening of Vespers that ninety Temple Emanu-El congregants shared with our friends at the Church of the Holy Trinity on a cold Sunday evening.

Crossing the park was certainly easier than climbing a mountain, and brought us to heights, all the same. It began the moment we stepped into the softly darkened church, and we were welcomed with the offer of hand-held candles and open-hearted warmth. The kindness of the congregation spread with the light shared throughout the pews, flame to flame, person to person. Hearing Magnificat, the song of Mary, performed by more than seventy-five baroque singers and musicians, playing period instruments in the way Bach intended, swept us out of time and upwards.

Pastor Tim Weisman delivered a magnificent sermon, connecting the epic journey of human liberation through Torah, Jewish liturgy, Talmud, the Christian Bible, and modern times through song. He opened by naming the complex history of his tradition, apologizing for the antisemitism of Martin Luther and the shameful actions of the Lutheran Church in World War II Germany. That profound acknowledgment invited us to engage with the liturgy, music, and ritual not simply as venerated guests, but as people of belonging in this sacred home.

At the conclusion of the service we moved downstairs for a reception, where members of both congregations noshed and mingled with one another. I was honored to be asked to speak, and gave a short teaching expressing how Hannah and Mary represented the power of women to make radical change, especially during times of social turmoil.

Then Pastor Tim and I explored how differences in our sacred texts provide a richer understanding for all who seek meaning in divine teachings. Hopefully, we expressed some points of wisdom, but really it was our banter and fun that paired the sanctity of the service with an elevated sense of joy and interaction throughout the church social hall.

The entire evening was a reminder that true faith is not singular but all-encompassing, that creating space for others inspires uplift for everyone, and that joy sings beyond history and hurts, carrying us closer to each other and heavenwards.