Friday, August 2. A small group met this quiet morning out at the lake, which is more a mudflat now, due to construction. When we planned to meet one last time at Horseshoe Lake, we knew it was the beginning of a transition to a better future for this small piece of the Great Lakes biosphere. It also parallels the destruction of the temple, in preparation for the restoration that is available to us during the coming High Holy Days, not too far off.
Our source Mindy Ribner writes, ‘The month of Av is about tears of loss and tears of joy’. On Tisha b’Av, the 9th day of Av, we mourn the loss of the 1st Temple in 586 BCE, and the 2nd Temple in 70 CE. There are many tragic events that befell the Jews on that date in other years.
There is a crying that comes from deep within our soul. We need to remember that when we feel broken and vulnerable, those are the times that we are most open to healing. By feeling our brokenness we can begin to heal and become more whole. Spiritual crying is an important practice. When we cry for G-d we can be healed and heal ourselves. The Talmud tells us there is nothing more complete than a broken heart.
This is a month of the greatest heat – even our emotional and spiritual lives are ‘heated up’ its and intense time and we have to be careful not to be too reactive. At the same time, Tu b’Av, the 15th of Av, is the Jewish Valentine’s day – the joyous moment in Av when couples meet, dance and marry. In all we must listen deeply and be especially careful with our speech.
Today and throughout this month, it can help us to remember as we walk and meditate, that we need to take deep breaths and center ourselves. Observe where we are right now. Note the sensations and tensions in any part of our bodies. Then use our breath to relax our bodies. We listen, and we cry from within, tears of joy and tears of sadness.
Beginning next month, we will meet at a new location to allow Horseshoe Lake its time of restoration. There are places there to walk among the trees and streams, and along the marsh. May we all be aware of the destruction and tears that must precede reconstruction. Chodesh Tov!
—- Linda and Stephen
Rosh Chodesh Cleveland 