Blessing for Rosh Ḥodesh Shevat, by Kohenet Ilana Joy Streit • the Open Siddur Project

Tags: 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., English vernacular prayer, Prayers as poems, Trees

Excerpt: A blessing for announcing the new moon of Shevat, for Rosh Ḥodesh Shevat, and for the whole month. . . .

Content:

Blessing for Rosh Ḥodesh Shevat

the sap
is considering rising
the snow
is considering falling

and here we are
between the two

may the rising sap
be woven into us
may it enter
our bloodstream

may the light from the sun
  reflected off of bare branches
enter into our eyes
    and from our eyes
       to our visions and prayers
  and then to vibrant waters
and a peaceful Jerusalem

may we be the trees
that we have been waiting for

may it be a month
  of rising and falling
    and being held and beheld
  touching the roots of our sorrow
blessing the roots of our redemption

may we be the trees
that we have been waiting for

may the Third Temple
be an altar
of words and grieving and joyful dancing
at town squares everywhere

A blessing for announcing the new moon of Shevat, for Rosh Ḥodesh Shevat, and for the whole month.

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Featured Image:

Title: Shevat (Ilana Joy Streit CC BY-SA)
Caption: Shevat (credit: Ilana Joy Streit, license: CC BY-SA)