Thursday morning, October 7. Beautiful morning, warm and balmy, and the colors of fall are spreading in the trees, sky, shrubs and grasses. In the Great Lakes, the Canada geese are gathering to head south, and travel in lines over us, honking.
Cheshvan is a month of transformation, in the natural world, and in our inner lives. In the Middle East, this time of year is when the rains begin, after dry summer. Stephen shared with us a memory of a time when he celebrated Simchat Torah in Israel under clear skies – and the rains began the following day, in torrents.
This is also the month when we read the story of Noah and the great flood. When we read about the complete destruction of the world in this story, accomplished through torrents of water higher than the mountains — and G-d’s subsequent promise to humans never to do so again — we can’t help but think of the floods, fires, droughts and storms we are experiencing. These are, however, not divine will, but the result of our own negligence.
While we work on our inner selves, strengthening our relationships with others, we are also called to work on our relationship with the natural world. We are necessary partners with G-d in literally repairing the world – repairing the damage done, and preventing our own, and the natural world’s, destruction. May we enter the month of Cheshvan with unwavering will to carry out all we’ve promised to do – Chodesh tov! — Kirby
Our next walking meditation will be Rosh Chodesh Kislev, Friday, November 5, 7:30 am. Rain or shine! Contact us for location. Social distancing will be observed; please bring a mask.
Rosh Chodesh Cleveland 