While observance of the solstices and equinoxes may not taught in Hebrew school, there is a long tradition of observing these moments drawn from the talmud. In Hebrew a solstice or equinox is called tekufah (תקופה) or plural tekufot (תקופות). The word means to cycle or turning. The solstice is an astronomical event but in…
Tag: wheel of the year
Where do we Find the Strength to Heal?
What happens when the worlds seems to crumble? How are we able to carry on after total disaster? These are questions that Jews have had to ask far to many times in our history. In some ways it has transformed the tribe into permanent victims, but it has also made us the ultimate survivors. The…
Tammuz | B’lev Shalem (בלב שלם) Wholehearted
Welcome to Kesharim K’doshim Mussar, where we explore the soul-traits through the wheel of the year and the Kohenet Netivot. In Iyyar, we turn to the soul-trait of Emet (אמת) Truth and the Neviah – Prophtess.
Elul: Rituals and Activities
Some practices and rituals to try out or adapt during the month of Elul.
Elul: Tarot Card: Hermit
In Av we explored the meaning of Strength. Now in Elul, we must find the strength to Journey alone. Elul is a month of private reflection and inward turning. We turn inward, so we are ready to stand in-front of our community at the Days of Awe and state our case to be written and…
Av: Rituals and Activities
Some practices and rituals to try out or adapt during the month of Av. Tarot Card Consider the Strength card of the tarot which shows a woman in control of a lion or a woman holding up a pillar. What does each of these say about the power of the a wise woman? What does…
Av: Tarot Card/ Strength
It’s very interesting to me that the months of Av and Elul, I have in previous years assigned different cards and/or Netivot. In theory, I’ve been using the same system for many years — but for some reason these months were reassigned. I don’t think there is any one system, so I could simply make…
Shimon: Tribe of Av
Shimon, also known as Simon and Simeon, is the second son of Jacob and Leah. His name alludes to the word for “hearing” in Hebrew, as Leah said in Genesis 29, “because the Eternal has heard that I am hated, Zhe has given me this son too.” His story is often one of the wielding of…
Iyyar: Rituals and Activities
Some practices and rituals to try out or adapt during the month of Iyyar. Count the Omer: If you haven’t explored the practice of counting the omer, it’s not too late. Give a daily offering of barley groats, available in the bulk food section of many stores, to physically count the omer. Pick a space…
Issachar: Tribe of Iyyar
Issachar is the tribe associated with the month of Iyyar, which generally falls between April and May. What does the name Issachar (יִשָּׂשׁכָר) bring to mind? Anything? Do any famous stories from the Torah come to mind? Probably not, yet Issachar holds a special place in Jewish tradition. Issachar was the 5th son of Jacob and Leah,…