59 - Rosh Chodesh Kislev

Rosh Chodesh Kislev slipped by this week, but I could hardly tell it from a walk outside. Even as leaf blowers, pushing away the abundance of gold and brown were echoing, the weather here in the Midwest has been fooling me with record high temperatures and sunny skies. But I guess that duality is rather Kislev-like. This is the month we begin with the sorrow of Kristallnacht and end with the delight of Chanukah. The glimmer of broken glass transforms to light beaming through window glass, broadcasting miracles. Kislev holds stories of many dualities, just as life brings us half-empty and half-full glasses, our choice to pick the one we wish to drink from. Sweep up your memories and count the days to Chanukah, count the days to miracles.

Fifty Nine

Rosh Chodesh Kislev

Slowly, You ease the chill upon us,
Sending midday sun to warm us;
Through the shattered glass of yesterday’s pain,
You move us ahead into winter’s dark.

Balance the dark with Your light, O Eternal;
Balance the cold with the warmth of Your care.

You train us to look at both sides;
You give us a month of duality to contemplate:
Two wives, twin sons, a man with two names,
A nation not knowing its own identity.

Balance our questions with Your clues, O Eternal;
Balance our fears with Your comforting hand.

And in the grip of Kislev’s deepest cold,
Light so brief we could swallow it in one gulp,
Balance the darkness with shining eyes,
Smoothed windows cleared To broadcast the growing light,
Pinpoints of Your living flame,
Answers to our winter yearning.