Sunday, March 14. Spring is emerging, the barest tips of shoots spiking just above the soil. This month of Nisan, the month of Passover, is heavy with story and tradition. And yet, after this terrible, long year when winter seemed endless, it is the bright light of spring and the bursting forth of buds that charges our thoughts. Our source Jill Hammer writes a wonderful piece in her book, The Jewish Book of Days:
The fifth motion of the year is emerging. In some regions of the world, leaves lean out of branches, buds unfurl from their casings, and red seeps into the landscape. The word “Nisan” itself means “bud”. In the Middle East and similar climates, spring is already in full bloom, and the first harvest is about to come in. Spring is the moment when the hard-earned strength of the winter pours itself into foliage and flower. The Shekhinah has opened a door and flung it open.
The fifth motion of the year is emerging. In some regions of the world, leaves lean out of branches, buds unfurl from their casings, and red seeps into the landscape. The word “Nisan” itself means “bud”. In the Middle East and similar climates, spring is already in full bloom, and the first harvest is about to come in. Spring is the moment when the hard-earned strength of the winter pours itself into foliage and flower. The Shekhinah has opened a door and flung it open.
It is at this light-filled time of year that Jews celebrate the festival of Passover and relive the going out from Egypt. From the bitter taste of slavery to the wonder of the parting sea, we enter the experience of sudden freedom. Houses undergo a thorough cleaning, and for a week we change our diet as if to remind us that liberty requires the willingness to change. It is we ourselves who must rush out of Egypt on the full moon of the month of Nisan, we who must pass the story to our children. Liberation happens to us not once, but each year at this season.[1]
We think of course of the world pandemic, which combined with bitter weather, has kept many of us literally locked in for months. May this opening of the world – through vaccinations and the promise of outdoors returning – bring us new lives of love, spirit, and health. May those of us who suffered greatly during this year, whether for loss of loved ones, health or self, be comforted with the return of the light to the year, and may we all grow into this freedom. — Kirby
We will honor the Full Moon of Nisan, the start of Passover, on Sunday morning, March 28. The next Rosh Chodesh walking meditation will be for the month of Iyyar, Tuesday morning, April 13. Both will be at 7:30 am. Rain or snow or shine! – contact us for location. Social distancing will be observed; please wear a mask.
[1] Jill Hammer, The Jewish Book of Days, p. 223. See “Resources” tab for full citation.
Rosh Chodesh Cleveland 