Monday, October 19, 2020. Today was dark and rainy at the marsh. As the weather gets colder, we head into Cheshvan, or Mar-Cheshvan as it was known, “Bitter Cheshvan”, due to its lack of holidays or special events. Here in the Great Lakes, we also experience the month as bitter, because it is the month when the light visibly diminishes, and the depression of winter begins to set in.
However: in the Middle East, Cheshvan is planting time. Nearer to the equator, the days are still long, and farmers spend the hours sowing seeds, wheat, barley and oats. The rainy season comes, and nourishes the seeds, bringing us hope for a good harvest in the coming months. How similar this is to our hope for the coming year – that our long trial of anxious waiting at home, and public work to effect change, will pay off in a more positive future, for our health and our country. We could use a little optimism.
Last week in the Shemini Atzeret liturgy, as Sukkot was ending, we recited a prayer for rain, following the tradition of our ancestors. David Teutsch, in the Reconstructionist prayerbook Kol HaNeshamah, notes that rain is “a salvation symbol in our tradition”. We prayed for rain to nourish the earth, for joy, blessing and wisdom from the Divine, and for a bounteous year:
With raindrops of Ancient light, illuminate the earth.
With raindrops of Blessing divine, please bless the earth.
With raindrops of Gleeful rejoicing, give joy to the earth.
With raindrops of Divine exultation, enrich the earth.
With raindrops of Heavenly splendor, give glory to the earth.
With raindrops of Wise assembly, let the earth be gathered.
With raindrops of Song and melody, make music through the earth.
With raindrops of Healing life, enable earth to live.
With raindrops of Timeless good, give goodness to the earth.
With raindrops of Your saving help, redeem the earth.
With raindrops of Caring nurturance, nourish the earth.
For You are the Fount of Life, our G-d, abundant in your saving acts, who makes the wind to blow and rain to fall.
For blessing, not for curse.
For living, not for death.
For plenty, not for dearth.[1]
As we hope for rain and abundance and goodness in the coming year, may our prayers be answered. — Kirby
We will honor the Full Moon of Cheshvan on Sunday, November 1; and Rosh Chodesh Kislev on Tuesday, November 17. Both walking meditations will begin at 7:30 am. Contact us for location. Social distancing will be observed; please wear a mask.
[1] David Teutsch et al, ed. Kol HaNeshamah, Shabbat Vehagim (Sabbath and Festival Prayerbook). Reconstructionist Press: Elkins Park, PA 2002, p. 233-234.
Rosh Chodesh Cleveland 