Tevet is a month of seeking clarity in darkness. Tevet is the month our vices have the most opportunity to enslave us. Tevet is the crucible. Without this difficult month the promise of Kislev’s rainbow can never be realized as the star of Shevat. Anything we did in Kislev that we shouldn’t have, will rear its ugly head in Tevet. Spend too much? Bills arrive in Tevet. Eat too much? Step on the scale and you’ll see it now.
But that’s the negative way to look at it. The devil card also offers us the opportunity to realize that things that we think are binding us, aren’t. It allows us to see that often we bind ourselves to these situations. So you spent too much, now’s your chance to address the emotional and spiritual reasons you may have done that and free yourself from debt. So you ate too much; now’s the chance to really start addressing the emotional and spiritual reasons you aren’t caring for your body.
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The story of Joseph continues to be apropos as parshot for Tevet. His crucible seems to end in Tevet, with his rise to power, but it’s really just beginning. Now he’s tested. Now, when he’s grown so much from his adversity — he’s really put to the test. What kind of a man is he going to be? Is he going to let his shadow side, vices, and flaws be brought out again as he gains power, or is he going to be the man he can be?
Tevet is also the month of the Doreshet, the Seeker. What do you need to help you find your way through this challenging month? Would wearing a compass symbolically help you to remember to find your personal “true north” this month? Maybe you need to wear or explore the symbol of the hamsa to ward of the evil eye and help you see more clearly.
Whatever you do, remember that this month may be difficult — but it’s a chance to free yourself. Shevat is the shining star. Use Tevet to unbind yourself so you can bath in the radiant light of the month to come.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, מַתִּיר אֲסוּרִים
Blessed are you, Holy One who forms the world, freeing the bound.
Adapted from a post originally written for Peeling a Pomegranate (2003-2013) by Kohenet Ketzirah haMa’agelet