This is a special time of the year. The nights get progressively longer, and with them, the world gets darker. Recently, we had a roll back of capacity of gatherings from 25 to 10 people, and with Thanksgiving a week away, it feels like another blow.
Kislev reminds us that there is always an end to darkness, and that is the presence of light. Vaccines for Covid have been tested and appear to be safe and effective. The Sunshine Team is preparing Thanksgiving meals for a good number of congregants and guests, to literally bring some Sunshine into their lives. Chanukah, of course, adds one light a night to blast away the darkness from the Winter solstice.
The mazal (constellation) for Kislev is Sagittarius, the keshet (arching bow). The arching bow reminds us of the rainbow and of our responsibility to be guardians of the earth. In Genesis 9:12-17, God places a rainbow in the sky as a covenantal sign, indicating a promise never to destroy the earth again. (The blessing for seeing a rainbow: "We bless you, Eternal our God, who remembers the covenant and keeps faith with the covenant, forever according to your word.") After the rain comes the rainbow! The bow of Kislev also reminds us of the bows of the Maccabees who fought against the Selucids in the story of Chanukah.
The Reopening Committee has been hard at work to figure out how to have in-person services safely. One of our first hybrid services will be celebrating Kyla Alper on the occasion of her Bat Mitzvah. This Bat Mitzvah will take place on Shabbat Chanukah (Shabbanukah!), a celebration that the entire community looks forward to, especially during these times.
Let’s take this month of Kislev, to find our own moments of light in the darkness and rainbows after the rain.
