Monday, May 2, 2022. Our walk was cold but bursting with spring this morning – green shoots and buds, wildflowers, trees in bloom, and birds singing and feeding. A heron arrived from the south and settled in the marsh, and some of us saw mallards. No turning back, spring is here, at last.
The month of Iyyar carries us on the journey from Passover to Shavuot – days 16 to 44 of that 49-day walk. This parallels the journey our ancestors traced in the desert, from the Red Sea to Sinai where we received our instructions for life. Following on the traditions of the Kabbalists, many modern-day Jews are choosing to use this 7-week period, known as the Omer, to improve and enhance their personal character, much as the Israelites did to forge themselves as a nation during that time, in order to be ready to receive the Torah at Shavuot.
The monthly theme of Iyyar is “healing” – in body, mind, character, soul. Evaluating our lives and habitual responses in the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual realms can be a way of healing ourselves. In Jewish tradition, one of the ways we can do this is through the practice of Mussar, a spiritual and practical discipline which engages us in healing ourselves through examination of our character traits, or Middot. While every Mussar master has a somewhat different way of defining the middot, traits such as lovingkindness, discipline, compassion, endurance, humility, connection with others, and strength, are often among them. Over time, these middot have become associated with the seven weeks of the Omer. By working on these traits, week by week, on our own and with partners, we hope to become a more balanced person, turning to the world in kindness, and becoming our best selves. May all of us find ways to heal this month, in body, mind, character and soul – ready to receive the revelation that awaits us at Sinai. —Kirby
Our next Rosh Chodesh walking meditation will be Tuesday, May 31, 7:30 am, rain or shine. Contact us for location.
Rosh Chodesh Cleveland 