Cheshvan 5779 חשוון

Wednesday, October 10, 2018. It was balmy, breezy and warm out on the lake this morning. We were well aware that the fall migration is underway – geese leaving the lake in gaggles, low overhead – and loons, herons both green and gray, and an egret were taking shelter for a little while on the lake and shore.

In ancient Israel, this was the month without holidays, when the agricultural cycle takes on a momentary quiet. The harvest is over, and the seeds not yet sown – we prepare the soil, carry water, pray for rain, and begin the work of the year. We talked about the water theme of Cheshvan on two levels – first, the universal flood: The flood at the time of Noah – and the parallels to recent and impending hurricanes and the increased flooding of our planet as the climate changes. On the more personal scale, our source Shimona Tzukernik draws the parallels between preparing the soil and beginning our spiritual work. We, and the rain, water the earth day in and day out, and the water “glistens” on our mundane daily existence – even as daily prayer waters our souls. Chodesh tov! — Kirby