I knew they weren't alone, just from my own interactions with other people, and so I extended an invitation to the Jewish community of Rhode Island to join in a weekly mailing list exploring issues within their relationship with HaShem. Many of the messages posted on the list reflect people's personal struggles and sensitivities. Our goal is that the members of this list should draw strength and inspiration from the words of their peers, and thereby continue to develop as Jews. I was away on vacation and then started a new job, but now I am back and wanting to share reactions to recent postings.
Familiarity is the great enemy of every feeling of holiness and elevation.
Though I would want to make the distinction between familiarity of this kind and familiarity which lends itself to trust and comfort. For example, I may play the guitar and, by virtue of devoted practice, may be familiar with the instrument, so that I trust where the notes are and feel comfortable finding my way around the fingerboard. I would say that this kind of familiarity is a good and valuable thing. Likewise, in an interpersonal relationship, the other person may be familiar to me in a positive way, in that we have spent much time communicating our beliefs and aspirations and feel a trust in and ease with the other as a result of those common understandings. Early in the relationship when things are new and fun, I might relish the opportunity to spend time with them.