Tevet 5784  טבת

Wednesday, December 13.  Winter is finally upon us here in the Great Lakes – the landscape has become a collage of grays and browns, and there are icy patches on the path.  We bundled up for the morning, and talked of the contrast between the climate and change of seasons in the Middle East, with its scorching summers – and the climate here, with its distinct frigid winters. We acknowledged the unique place we live in, gentle hills of woods and streams around the lakes, and the wide skies.

At this time of year, and in this time in our era, we must work hard to remain in the light, in spite of the darkness and forces of evil raging around us.  At times it seems as if the darkness will go on forever – and it is not easy to discern the gray areas amid all the black-and-white thinking in the media.  Yet we must if we are to achieve peace in the long run.

Tevet, and the Hanukiah (Hanukah menorah), remind us that we have help:  what is truly endless is the cycle of seasons, light to dark to light.  Every year, at Hanukah, which comes close to the winter solstice, we remember that we can kindle light ourselves, and that the sun will ultimately kindle the light of spring, not so far ahead.  Our source Rabbi Jill Hammer notes that the Shammash, the helper candle on the Hanukiah with which we light all the other candles, is from the same root in Hebrew as Shemesh, the sun.[1]  The root “Shin-Mem-Shin” refers to attendants and helpers, as the helpers in synagogues of old.  The Shammash candle is our helper – and so is the Shemesh, the sun, sustaining and supporting life, and returning light to us after every season of darkness.

May the promise of the coming of the light kindle light in us, and remind us to kindle it in our communities – helping us all to hold and make real our dreams of a future of peace and joy. — K. Miriam

Our next Rosh Chodesh walking meditation will honor the month of Sh’vat, Thursday, January 11, 8:30 am.  Rain or snow or shine!  Contact us for location.

---

[1] Rabbi Jill Hammer, The Jewish Book of Days, p. 120. See “Sources” tab for full citation.