Sunday morning, December 5, 2021. This morning was cold and dark, brown and gray – but blessed for a few minutes with a glowing red-lit sunrise. This could be a metaphor for Tevet – depressed by the cold, the gray-brown landscape, early winter life after the end of Hanukah, and the descent into the full darkness of the winter solstice, we are likely to experience flares of anger, our own or that of others. In Tevet, we also recall the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, observed with a fast on the 10th of Tevet; the month carries with it an aura of anger at powerlessness and waiting for the inevitable.
But notice the word “blessed”. Tevet’s area of healing is anger. In Jewish tradition, anger is a useful emotion, when transformed to strengthen us and forge our commitment to change. Anger in Jewish tradition is seen in two ways: it can be righteous anger, when we respond to an injustice or an infringement of boundaries. Or it can be anger of the ego, based in our own arrogance or pride. In both cases, the key is to understand its source, see it objectively, take responsibility, and decide on action. In Mussar, the Jewish discipline which helps us to develop our character in order to serve others better, the ideal response to anger is equanimity and humility. Rise above the good and the bad; understand that you can learn from any other person or situation. We may not be able to predict or control a flareup of anger; but we can manage our response, and make it a blessing for good. May we all increase this month in our ability to manage our response to our anger and that of others, to protect and nurture our selves in order to strengthen and learn, to plan for change, and ultimately make it a blessing for good. Chodesh tov! — Kirby
Our next Rosh Chodesh walking meditation will be Monday, January 3, 7:30 am, rain or snow or shine. Contact us for location.
Rosh Chodesh Cleveland 