Wednesday, December 16. This morning we met in the cold, and were reminded once again of the “disconnect” between seasons of the year in the Great Lakes and the Middle East. In Israel, this month is a time of sowing – and in Biblical times, wheat, barley, oats, lentils, peas, vetch and flax were planted. Here in the Great Lakes region, we are of course headed into five or six months of winter.
Today, the 1st of Tevet, is also the seventh day of Chanukah. Every year we light seven candles as we usher in the new month of Tevet. I came across an interesting reference last week, on our source Ritualwell, noting that in the Sephardic community, this day was a special one for honoring women and girls, known as Chag HaB’not (Festival of the Daughters). Special foods were eaten, served by the men. Ritualwell includes a beautiful Ladino rendition of Hallel, Bendigamos Al Altissimo, traditionally sung on this holiday.
Bendigamos al Altísimo,
Al Señor que nos crió,
Démosle (a)gradecimiento,
Por los bienes que nos dió.
Alabado sea Su Santo Nombre,
Porque siempre nos apiadó,
Odu Ladonai ki tov,
Ki leolam jasdo.
Blessed is the One most high,
The One who created us,
Let us give thanks
For all of the good things given us.
Praised is the Holy Name
For always having mercy for us.
Blessed is Adonai who is good,
Whose mercy endures forever.[1]
While our group is not specifically focused on being a women’s circle, Rosh Chodesh is traditionally a holiday for women, so it is fitting that this day of Chanukah be a special celebration honoring women. Tevet is a dark, winter month, but it contains the winter solstice, the turning of the days toward ever-growing light. May we all be immersed in light, through the end of the holiday, and through the month of Tevet, and look forward to the coming seasons in joy and celebration of G-d’s and the Universe’s mercy for us. — Kirby
(Apologies for the late post)
We will honor the full moon of Tevet on Wednesday, December 30. Our next Rosh Chodesh walking meditation will be Thursday, January 14. Both meetups will be at 7:30 am. Social distancing will be observed; please wear a mask. Contact us for location.
[1] Translation adapted by K. Date. Ladino is a Jewish language for Sephardic Jews, a hybrid of Spanish and Hebrew, as Yiddish is the language for Ashkenazic Jews. See https://www.ritualwell.org/ritual/bendigamos-al-altisimo; see also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-F4o7gfoyA for a beautiful rendition by Sephardic music artist Judy Frankel. The Sephardic tradition is rich with songs sung by women in multi-part harmony. See other repertoire of Frankel and the Brazilian singer Fortuna.
Rosh Chodesh Cleveland 