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ROSH H.ODESH: IT’S A GIRL THING! Opening FAST FACTS The Jewish calendar is tied to the cycles of the moon and sun. Rosh H. odesh literally means “Head of the Month.” It refers to the start of the new month. Each Jewish month has either twenty-nine or thirty days. Rosh H. odesh is a two-day holiday when the previous month contains thirty days — the last day of the old month and the first day of the new one. In ancient times, before the Jewish calendar was fixed, the sighting of the actually determined when a new month would begin. By law, the new month began when at least two witnesses observed the first sliver of the moon and reported what they saw to the court in . The news of the New Moon’s appearance was communicated from Jerusalem to Jewish communities throughout and the world by hilltop fires. In the days of the first and second Temples (1000 BCE–70 CE), people offered special sacrifices, blew horns and recorders made out of silver, and ate festive meals on Rosh H.odesh. Since ancient times, people say special prayers in , both on Rosh H.odesh and on the before it, called Shabbat Mevareh.im ( of Blessing). and mourning are forbidden on Rosh H.odesh. According to legend, Rosh H.odesh was given to the women of Israel because they refused to be involved in of an idol. They didn’t give their jewelry to make the , although later they did give generously to the building of the mishkan (portable temple). Because of their righteousness, the women were excused from working on Rosh H.odesh. Recently, Rosh H.odesh observance has been revived among women across the country. Women meet monthly, often in one another’s homes, to share, learn, and with each other and their heritage in celebration of the new month. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 35 Opening Month Rosh H.odesh in Poetry

The moon now glides toward darkness, toward rest. She retreats in order to emerge whole. She quiets in order to return and fill night with light. So too shall we make a space for ourselves. A space for renewal. —Vicki Hollander

Excerpted from "An Opening Ceremony" by Vicki Hollander, published in Four Centuries of Jewish Women's Spirituality: A Sourcebook, Ellen M. Umansky and Dianne Ashton, eds. (Boston: Beacon, 1992). © 1992 Vicki Hollander. Used by permission of the author. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 36 Opening Month ROSH H.ODESH: IT’S A GIRL THING! Essence of Tishrey

FAST FACTS

Traditionally, Rosh H. odesh is not observed in Tishrey. Because , which falls on the first of Tishrey, is considered more important, we celebrate the new year instead of the new month. According to tradition, Rosh Hashanah marks the anniversary of the creation of the world. Tishrey marks the beginning of the solar year on the Jewish calendar, but it is the seventh month in the Jewish lunar cycle, which begins with the month of . In telling us to observe Rosh Hashanah, the says, “In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe complete rest, a occasion commemorated with loud blasts” (Lev. 23:32). Tishrey comes at the same time as the secular September/October. Tishrey contains the fall equinox. As the seasons change from summer to fall, we also seek changes in our lives. We hope that our journey is also colorful and bright. The mazal (constellation) for Tishrey is Libra, moznayim (a pair of scales), symbolizing scales of justice. Tishrey overflows with holy days that usher in the Jewish New Year. The four main holidays of Tishrey correspond to the four phases of the moon.1 FEATURES Rosh Hashanah Rosh Hashanah (The New Year) is observed on Rosh H. odesh Tishrey. The Torah refers to Rosh Hashanah as Yom Teruah (The Day of Sounding the Shofar) and Yom Hazikaron (The Day of Remembering). It was not called Rosh Hashanah until talmudic times (200–600 CE). Traditionally, it is a two-day holiday; however, many Reform communities celebrate Rosh Hashanah for only one day. It is the only holiday that in the celebrate for two days. Rosh Hashanah Customs Shofar reflects one of the names of the Holy Day (Yom Teruah). Blown one hundred times on each day of Rosh Hashanah (except, in many 1. As noted by Arthur congregations, when Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbat), the shofar calls I. Waskow in Seasons all Jews together and stirs us to bring out the best in ourselves. One of of Our Joy: A Modern many traditions says that the shofar blasts represent Sarah’s cries when Guide to Jewish she learned that planned to sacrifice . Sarah’s cries recall Festivals, 3rd ed. (New York: Beacon Press, women’s cries for justice for themselves and for their families throughout 1990), preface xx. history and all over the world. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 37 Tishrey Tashlih. (You will cast away) is a custom dating from at least as early as the fourteenth century. It is based on the last verses of the Book of Micah: “And You will cast into the depths of the sea all their sins” (7:19). Jewish communities have for many generations gathered by rivers, streams, or oceans on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, recited tashlih. prayers, and thrown crumbs into the water to symbolize our desire to rid ourselves of our sins. Kurdish Jews actually threw themselves into the water for tashlih.! H. asidim of Galicia sent straw floats out into the water, used candles to set them on fire, and rejoiced as they burned up or washed away.2 Greetings Traditionally, during the month of and on Rosh Hashanah, we greet one another: (to a woman)

Leshanah tovah tikatevi veteyh.atemi. May you be written and sealed (in the Book of Life) for a good year. (to a man)

Leshanah tovah tikateyv veteyh.ateym. May you be written and sealed (in the Book of Life) for a good year. Tzom Gedalyah Tzom Gedalyah (Fast of Gedalyah) is observed on the third day of Tishrey. It is a dawn-to-dusk fast to commemorate the assassination of Gedalyah Ben Achikam, the last Jewish Governor of Israel before the Jews were driven into exile by the Babylonians in the sixth century BCE. Aseret Yemey Teshuvah Aseret Yemey Teshuvah (Ten Days of Teshuvah) are observed between Rosh Hashanah and . During these ten days we focus on teshuvah (literally ‘turning’—turning away from our negative actions and toward our best selves), tefillah (prayer), and tzedakah (acts of justice/charity). Yom Kippur Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is observed on the tenth day of Tishrey, as the moon swells. Through the process of teshuvah, Yom Kippur is meant to bring Jews closer to God, to other people, and to being the best people we can be. Yom Kippur Customs Fasting from food and drink, as well as the other abstentions observed on this day (not anointing ourselves, not wearing leather, not having sexual relations), is meant to guide our thoughts away from our physical needs and help focus our minds on spiritual growth and teshuvah. Tradition urges us to be reminded by the fast of those who lack basic sustenance. Many communities donate the amount of money they would have spent to feed themselves on Yom Kippur to organizations that feed the hungry. (Please note that pregnant women, the infirm, children under the age of twelve or thirteen, and anyone who might be harmed by doing so, are prohibited from fasting.) © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 38 Tishrey Refraining from wearing leather is meant to guide us away from materialism, because leather is considered a sign of luxury. Sukkot (Booths) begins on the full moon on the 15th of Tishrey and continues through the 21st of Tishrey. The holiday commemorates both the temporary dwellings (sukkot) of the Jews during their forty years of wandering in the desert and the later festival, during which portions of the harvest were brought to the . Sukkot comes just five days after Yom Kippur. Only after we have accomplished the challenging spiritual work of Yom Kippur, can we be truly joyous on Sukkot. Just as we celebrate the fall harvest, we can celebrate the fruits of our spiritual labor. In fact, Sukkot is called Zeman Simh.ateynu (Season of our Rejoicing). Sukkot commemorates how protective clouds surrounded the Jewish people during the forty years of wandering in the desert. It also commemorates how the Jews lived in temporary dwellings (sukkot) during that same time. Sukkot Customs By building a Sukkah, we commemorate the ancient desert booths (temporary dwelling places). Many have the custom of eating all of their meals during Sukkot in their sukkah, and some say daily prayers and sleep there as well. Marking the harvest festival, it is customary to decorate the sukkah festively with greens, fruits, and vegetables of the season. Waving a and We use four symbolic plant species for special rituals to invoke God’s salvation during Sukkot. The etrog, a bitter citus fruit, is held together with a lulav, fronds of palm, willow and myrtle branches, and is waved in six directions (north, south, east, west, up, and down) during the recitation of (psalms of praise). It is also carried during Hoshanot (chanting processions in synagogue). In ancient times, the lulav and etrog were important Jewish national symbols, often depicted on coins with the Temple menorah and a shofar. Welcoming Spiritual Guests It is customary to symbolically invite ancestors to join us for a meal in our sukkah! According to the mystical text the , “When you sit in the sukkah…the Shechinah (God’s feminine indwelling presence) spreads its wings over you and…Abraham, five other righteous ones, and King , make their dwelling with you.…Thus you should rejoice with a shining countenance each and every day of the festival, together with these guests who lodge with you” (Zohar 103b). From this verse, Jewish mystics in the sixteenth century popularized the custom of symbolically inviting seven biblical characters as ushpizin (guests) into their sukkot over the seven nights of the holiday. Traditions © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 39 Tishrey 3. Information drawn inviting biblical women, or ushpizot (feminine plural of ‘ushpizin’), into in part from the sukkah also exist. According to sixteenth-century mystic Manachem www.ritualwell.org, a project of Ma’yan: Azariah, the seven female figures to welcome are the seven prophetesses: The Jewish Women’s Sarah, , Deborah, Hannah, Abigail, Huldah, and . Other Project, a program of traditions include Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah.3 the JCC in Manhattan, and Kolot: The Center Hoshanah Rabbah is observed on the 21st of Tishrey, the seventh and for Jewish Women’s and last day of Sukkot. Hoshanah Rabbah is known as the day of the final Gender Studies. Search this website under sealing of judgment, which began on Rosh Hashanah. “Holidays” for “Sukkot” for more information Atzeret about the seven biblical is observed on the 22nd of Tishrey, as the moon wanes. women and for a won- Shemini Atzeret begins the period in the year in which it is customary to derful model ushpizot say a special prayer praising God as of the Blessing of Rain. ceremony. Simchat Torah is observed on the 23rd of Tishrey in some Jewish communities in the Diaspora, and on the 22nd of Tishrey in Israel and in some Reform and Reconstructionist communities. Simchat Torah celebrates the completion and the beginning of the annual cycle of Torah readings. On the night preceding Simchat Torah, and again in the morning, Jews all over the world dance joyously with the Torah. FABULOUS FEMALES The High Holy Day Torah portions for communities that celebrate Rosh Hashanah for two days are Genesis 21 and 22. Some Reform communities that celebrate Rosh Hashanah for one day read Genesis 1, focusing on the theme of creation. The haftarot (prophetic readings) are I 1:1–2:10 on the first day and Jeremiah 31:1–19 on the second. The Fabulous Females of Tishrey come from these readings. Sarah Imeynu (our foremother) is the first matriarch of the Jewish people. She is celebrated for her courage in leaving her homeland for an unknown future, as well as for her beauty, her hospitality, her laughter, and her ability to rejoice at hearing she would have a child at the mature age of ninety (Genesis: 12–23). Sarah reminds us to honor the wisdom, struggles, creativity, and joys of our women elders. Hagar is an Egyptian woman who became Sarah’s handmaiden and Abraham’s concubine. She is the mother of and hence the grandmother of the Ishmaelites; Muslims consider her their first Matriarch. When pregnant with Ishmael, Hagar fled into the desert to escape Sarah’s jealous mistreatment. An angel appeared to her, bearing God’s promise that she would be the mother of a great nation and telling her to name her son Ishmael (God-heeds). In turn, Hagar called God “ Ro’i” (The One Who Sees Me). Years later, when they were expelled into the desert by Sarah and Abraham, God both saw and heeded Hagar and Ishmael—providing them with a sustaining well of water (Genesis: 16–21). © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 40 Tishrey Hagar reminds us to honor our shared ancestry with Muslims. Her experiences call upon us to show solidarity with women and girls who are denied power, whose voices are silenced, and whose many strengths are often unacknowledged. first appears in Jewish tradition in (stories that interpret the Torah). Because the Torah has two versions of the creation of human beings (one in Genesis 1:26-28, the other in Genesis 2:18-24), the imagined that two different women were created—the first Lilith, the second . According to tradition, because Lilith was created in God’s image simultaneously with (Genesis 1), she claimed that she was equal to him. When Adam disagreed, Lilith left the for eternity. The legend of Lilith has been expanded upon and transformed over centuries. Although Lilith has often been demonized in these traditions, today she has been popularized by some Jewish women who celebrate her for her bold, independent spirit. Lilith can remind us to celebrate our individuality, to find ways to enhance women’s status in Jewish life, and to fight for equality for women worldwide. Eve, whose name in Hebrew, H. ava, means “Life,” is the first woman and 4. See Ellen Frankel’s the mother of all human life. In the Garden of Eden, God tells Adam that The Five Books of he and Eve must not eat from two trees—the and the Tree of Miriam: A Woman’s Commentary on the the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Adam, in turn, tells Eve that she must Torah (New York: not even touch the trees. The Snake can easily prove that no harm can Putnam, 1996). come of touching the tree, so Eve is persuaded that no harm can come of eating the fruit either. Adam also eats of the fruit, and when confronted by God, immediately blames Eve! Eve is often accused of bringing about the resulting expulsion from the Garden, but scholar Ellen Frankel challenges us to imagine how different the story might have been if God had spoken to Eve directly.4 Today, women can celebrate Eve for her curiosity and passionate pursuit of knowledge (Genesis: 2–4). Eve reminds us to love and respect life, to accept the consequences of our choices, and to make the best of our fate. Hannah is one of two co-wives to a man named Elkanah. Filled with grief because she is unable to bear children, Hannah “pours her out to God” in prayer. When she eventually has a child, Hannah offers a song of praise to God. The rabbis admired Hannah for the heartfelt sincerity of her prayer and held her up as a model of piety. Today, we also admire her for the self-knowledge and courage to identify and ask for what she wanted (I Samuel: 1–2). Hannah reminds us to pursue our passions and goals with all of our heart, soul, and might. Peninah is Hannah’s co-wife who bore two sons to Elkanah. Peninah mocked the barren Hannah, whom Elkanah loved most in spite of her childlessness (I Samuel: 1). Even as we may wish that Peninah had appreciated her own blessings and avoided jealousy, she invites our empathy and compassion. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 41 Tishrey FOODS There are many delicious and unusual food customs for Rosh Hashanah. Many families have the custom of eating a new food or one they have not eaten in the past year. For this reason, foods unique to the season, such as Concord grapes, are found on many Rosh Hashanah tables. In addition to eating apples and dipped in honey to symbolize our wish for a sweet new year, many foods that are eaten as simanim (good omens) of success and happiness for the coming year. The following are only a few of the Rosh Hashanah specialties eaten by Jews in different parts of the world. Try inventing and serving your own! The head of a fish In the coming year, we hope to always be “on top” like a head, and not “on bottom” like a tail! In the coming year, we want to be as full of good deeds as the is full of seeds. Carrots Sliced carrots represent golden coins, symbolizing our wish for secure parnasah (economic sustenance). In , the word for carrots is meren, which can also mean “more.” In the coming year we want to have more blessings, more knowledge, give more charity, and perform more good deeds. Pumpkin or gourd Food made with pumpkin or gourd is served to express the hope that, just as this vegetable is protected by a thick covering, God will protect us and gird us with strength. The Hebrew word for pumpkin or gourd is kra’a. Sefardim pun on this word and say “Yikaru lefaneh.a zeh.uyoteynu” (May our good 5. Ibid. Search under deeds be called out before the Lord at the time of judgment). Similarly, “Holidays” for “Rosh we may pun in English, “May the coming year grow as a gourd in Hashanah” for a fullness of blessing. In the year to come, if enemies gird (surround) us, discussion of this may You guard us as we eat of this gourd.”5 and other Rosh Hashanah foods. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 42 Tishrey ROSH H.ODESH: IT’S A GIRL THING! Essence of H.eshvan FAST FACTS

H. eshvan is the eighth of the twelve months of the Jewish calendar. H. eshvan comes at the same time as the secular months of October/November. Pumpkins, squash, and gourds have arrived, reminding us of the cycle of planting and harvesting. Nature begins to hibernate and, mirroring this process, we too slow down and turn inward. The mazal (constellation) for H. eshvan is Scorpio, akrav (the scorpion). FEATURES

H. eshvan is often referred to as mar H.eshvan, “bitter” H. eshvan, because the month contains no holy days and because it often coincides with the arrival of colder weather. Mar can also mean a drop of water. According to a midrash (a story that interprets the Torah), more rain falls in “watery H. eshvan” because it marks the beginning of the great flood during the time of . We can also think of H. eshvan as a quiet time to reap the benefits of the spiritual growth of the preceding month of Tishrey. FABULOUS FEMALES

H. eshvan contains the yahrzeits (annual commemoration of a person’s death) of many important women in , including Rachel Imeynu, Emma Lazarus, Hannah Senesh, and Anzia Yezierska. Rachel Imeynu (our foremother), along with her sister, Leah, and their handmaidens, Bilhah and Zilpah, gave birth to the twelve sons who were to become the fathers of the twelve tribes of Israel. Deeply loved by her husband, , Rachel, like her son Joseph, is celebrated for her remarkable beauty. And like Sarah, Rachel was barren for many years. Ultimately she accomplished her goal of childbearing through her courage and persistence. Sadly, Rachel died in childbirth with her second son, Benjamin. Tradition teaches that Rachel died on the 11th of H. eshvan and that she is buried in Kever Rah.el (Rachel’s Tomb), outside of Bethlehem, where she is said to weep for all of us, her children. In some communities, women make to Rachel’s tomb and say special prayers for fertility and childbearing. Our foremother Rachel is remembered for her compassion, perseverance, and devotion. Traditional Rachel’s Tomb on the road from Jerusalem to Bethlehem © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 43 H.eshvan Poet Emma Lazarus (1849–1887) wrote the famous sonnet welcoming new immigrants to America that is engraved on the Statue of Liberty. Lazarus’s paternal ancestors were among the first twenty-three Jews to settle in New York in 1654. Her yahrzeit is the 19th of H. eshvan. Emma Lazarus teaches us to welcome people from all backgrounds, to help those less fortunate than ourselves, and to pursue our artistic passions. Author, Zionist, and war hero Hannah Senesh (1921–1944) was born in Hungary and made (immigrated) to . Senesh was captured and executed while courageously trying to save Hungarian Jews from the Nazis. Her numerous poems and stories are widely published. Her yahrzeit is the 20th of H. eshvan. Hannah Senesh’s poem Halih.ah Lekeysaryah became popularized as the lyrics to the song , Eli.

Eli, Eli she lo yigamer le’olam— hah. ol vehayam, rishrush shel hamayim, berak hashamayim, tefilat ha’adam. My God, my God, I pray that these things never end— the sand and the sea, the rush of the waters, the crash of the heavens, the prayer of the heart. Hannah Senesh is a model of bravery and righteousness whose allegiance to the Jewish people and Israel surpassed everything else in her life. Author Anzia Yezierska (1883–1970) wrote novels and short stories that vividly depict immigrant life in New York’s Lower East Side. Her yahrzeit is the 22nd of H. eshvan. Her most famous book, The Bread Givers, takes us inside an early twentieth-century American immigrant Jewish in which Sarah, the narrator, struggles to find fulfillment through education, work, and love. Anzia Yezierska teaches us about the power of observation and the joys of storytelling. FOODS

There are no holidays in H. eshvan, so there aren’t any specific foods associated with the month. We suggest eating local produce of the season, such as squash, zucchini, and apples. Zucchini bread, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin pie, cider, and apple pie are also great H. eshvan treats! © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 44 H.eshvan ROSH H.ODESH: IT’S A GIRL THING! Essence of FAST FACTS Kislev is the ninth of the twelve months of the Jewish calendar. Kislev comes at the same time as the secular months of November/Decem- ber. This is a cold and dark time of year. Nature rests, and winter is upon us. The mazal (constellation) for Kislev is Sagittarius, the keshet (arching bow). The arching bow reminds us of the and of our responsibility to כּîִסòְלïֵו Kislev 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 מñַזêָל mazal, constellation again. (The blessing for seeing a rainbow is: We bless you, Eternal our God, who remembers the and keeps faith with the covenant, forever ֶקשׁûֶת keshet, bow according to your word.) The bow of Kislev reminds us of the bows of the חëַנóֻכּîָה Maccabees who fought against the Selucids in the story of . H. anukkah . שׁûַמּñָשׁ (שׁאäַמעס) shamash (Yiddish: shammmes) FEATURES H. anukkah H. anukkah* begins on the 25th of Kislev and ends in . This is the only Jewish holiday that spans two different Jewish months! * H.anukkah is the only Hanukkah History important festival in . the Jewish calendar During the second-century BCE, the Jews, led by the Maccabees, fought not mentioned any- against Antiochus and his Selucid (Syrian Greek) army. Antiochus had a where in the Tanah. policy of stifling Jewish religious life, including the banning of Shabbat (Hebrew ). The observance and circumcision. Eventually, the Jews were victorious and story is recorded in reclaimed their religious life. The story is told that to purify the Temple, the two ancient which the Selucids had defiled, the Jews needed oil to rekindle the books, known as The First Book of eternal flame. A legend tells us that they found only enough oil to last the Maccabees and one day, but a miracle occurred, and the oil lasted for eight days. The Second Book Thus, the Temple was rededicated. H. anukkah means of the Maccabees, “dedication.” which are part of the Apocrypha—works H. anukkah Customs written or collected at Lighting the h.anukiah (the special the same time as most eight-candle flame menorah, with a books of the Bible but not included in the ninth shamash, or servant flame). Hebrew . Telling the story of Judith Among the Sefardim (Jews from Mediterranean/ countries), women traditionally gather on the seventh night to tell the story of Judith, the smart and beautiful woman who used her faith and wits to defeat the Assyrian army. They eat cheese dishes, sing and dance, and receive special blessings. Some Ashkenazim (Jews from northern and eastern European countries) used to tell the story of Judith in Yiddish on the eighth night of H. anukkah. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 45 Kislev Giving gifts to daughters Some Sefardim call the end of H. anukkah the “New Moon of the Daughters,” and parents give special presents to their daughters. Playing dreydel is a classic H. anukkah gambling game. The letters on the four-sided spinning top—nun, gimmel, hay, shin—stand for a Hebrew sentence that translates to mean, “A great miracle happened there.” Some say that the origins of the game are German, and that the letters correspond to the directions for playing the game: nichts (“nothing”); ganz (take “all”); halb (take “half”); and stell ein (“put one in”). Eating chocolate H. anukkah gelt (coins). FABULOUS FEMALES Hannah The Second Book of the Maccabees records cases of pious Jews who chose to die rather than submit to the Syrian Greeks. A celebrated mother, Hannah, expressed unfaltering faith in God as she was forced to watch her seven sons die for refusing to bow to an idol, and then was killed herself. Hannah’s martyrdom raises the issue of supreme sacrifice for religion. We might ask ourselves where we would draw that line today. Hannah also calls upon us to hold in our hearts those mothers in every generation © 2002, Margot L. Stein. Used by permission of who must give up their children to war. We are reminded in particular the author. All rights about mothers in Israel today. reserved. The Four “Women of Light”1 According to legend... Sarah Imeynu (our foremother) lit candles at the beginning of Shabbat. Miraculously, the flame burned throughout the entire week, lighting the tents of Abraham and Isaac. Rebecca Imeynu inherited the task of lighting these candles when Sarah died. Because Rebecca was also a righteous woman, her candlelight shined throughout the entire week, as Sarah’s had. Queen Esther was known as the Ayelet Hashah. ar (the morning star) who brought a bright, rekindled spirit to the Jews after the dark night of suffering at the time of King Ahashuaros. Deborah was a wise and important judge who lived in the twelfth century BCE. In the Torah, Deborah is referred to as the “Woman of Lapidot.” In Hebrew, lapid means torch or flame, and so the refers to Deborah as a “woman of flames.” A contemporary midrash teaches that Deborah made candlewicks that lit before fire ever touched them; the candles were illuminated from the light inside of Deborah, which grew as she grew.2 The Four “Women of Light” remind us that each one of us can share her light without diminishing it. They also invite us to remember the female ancestors in our own families every time we light the Shabbat and H. anukkah candles. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 46 Kislev FOODS Salty foods, especially salty cheeses, are traditional because legend has it that Judith fed the enemy general Holofernes salty foods to make him thirsty for wine. As he lay in a drunken stupor, she was able to slay him, thus saving Jerusalem from siege. Because of the miracle of the oil, oily foods are also traditional, including and sufganiot (jelly doughnuts), which are a H. anukkah favorite in Israel.

LIGHT AND DARK Margot L. Stein Bring some light into the darkness Bring some darkness to the light As we dance among the shadows © 2002, Margot L. Stein. Used by permission of Flickering in black and white the author. All rights reserved. All things dark are not just evil All things light are not just fine Can we learn to bless our difference? God in your face, God in mine. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 47 Kislev ROSH H.ODESH: IT’S A GIRL THING! Essence of Tevet FAST FACTS Tevet is the tenth of twelve months of the Jewish calendar. Tevet comes at the same time as the secular months December/January. Tevet begins with the last days of H. anukkah. The mazal (constellation) for Tevet is the gedi (goat). “The goat works its way slowly, laboriously up the mountain of winter. Though the path is treacherous, the goat never slips or falls. Sure-footed, firmly centered in the earth, the creature eventually reaches the summit.”* As winter deepens, and darkness arrives early, we remember that we too can reach summits of joy—even in darkness. FEATURES H. anukkah concludes on the second of Tevet, thus completing the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. Places of prayer, such as the Temple in Jerusalem, the mishkan (the portable that preceded the Temple), and , have *Penina V. Adelman, Miriam's Well (New York: always been highly prized in Jewish life. Jewish mystics teach that the Biblio Press, 1986), 41. body is like a temple—a dwelling-place of God and of our soul. Just as we mourn the defilement of the Temple by those who did not see it as a dwelling-place of God, so we lament the harmful ways in which we mistreat our bodies when we forget that they house our . The Hebrew word H. anukkah means “dedication.” Just as we celebrate the rededication of the Temple, so we affirm our own rededication and commitment to respectful treatment of our bodies, the temples of our souls. Philo, a Jewish philosopher (20 BCE-50 CE), said it this way: “The body is the soul’s house. Shouldn’t we therefore take care of our house so that it will not fall into ruin?” The 10th of Tevet This minor fast on the 10th of Tevet commemorates the siege of Jerusalem on that day in 589 BCE by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, which ultimately led to the destruction of the first Temple and the exile of the Jews to . With the founding of the State of Israel in 1948, the 10th of Tevet was declared Yom Hakadish Haklali (General Day of ) to provide an opportunity to say the Kaddish (prayer for the dead) for those who died in the Holocaust whose precise date of death was unknown. Some have adopted the custom of mourning all those whose date of death is unknown on this day, including victims of war, genocide, or accidents. Yom Hakadish Haklali reflects ’s deliberate effort to help us honor everyone in our past. As we think about those who have come before us, we are inspired to live a life worthy of their memory. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 48 Tevet FABULOUS FEMALES In Tevet we honor all Jewish women who came before us, particularly those whose lives and deaths went unrecorded. FOODS This month dedicate yourself to treating your body like a holy temple. Honor your body by improving your eating habits: try avoiding non- nutritious foods, eating extra fresh fruits and vegetables, and drinking lots of water.

Praying with the Mothers Paula Mack Drill My God and God of my mother who praised y’hai sh’mai loudly and off-key and of my nana who gave thanks with mailed cross country and of my grandma who knew gratitude at her silver and crystal yontif table and of my great-grandma who requested , raising seven with a man whose heart had died and of my great great grandmother who sought shelter, hiding her daughter in a haystack outside of Riga and of all my mothers whose stories I do not know except in my veins where they tell themselves And of all those matriarchs linked arm in arm back through history. . . . Sarah was the rst to receive God as a guest in her tent. Out of kindness she served, But it is the serving that got remembered. So, God! When I rise to acknowledge that You work through history— My God, I must remember my mothers with my fathers. My God, And God of all my mothers who brought me to this moment—I acknowledge you. When I stand You stand with me.

©2003 Paula Mack Drill. Used by permission. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 49 Tevet ROSH H. ODESH: IT’S A GIRL THING! Essence of

FAST FACTS Shevat is the eleventh of the twelve months of the Jewish calendar. Shevat comes at the same time as the secular months January/February. Days begin to grow longer, and the sun shines a bit brighter. In Israel, begins in Shevat. Deep underground, the roots of trees slowly wind their way toward water. High above our heads, branches stretch toward the brightening sun. In Israel, trees begin to blossom in Shevat. Because they are the first to bloom each Shevat and the nut resembles an eye, an almond tree is called shaked (watcher). Almond trees are said to “keep watch” for spring. The mazal (constellation) for Shevat is Aquarius, deli (a vessel filled with water). Miriam (’ and ’s sister) was also associated with water. Legend teaches that because of her righteousness, Miriam was followed by a mysterious well that sustained the during the years of the desert wandering. The well, filled with the waters of Creation, is still with us today. In Shevat, Jews take special care to fulfill our obligation to protect and preserve the environment. FEATURES Shabbat Shirah Shabbat Shirah (The Sabbath of Song) falls on the Shabbat in Shevat when we read the Torah portion (Exodus 13:17-17:16), which contains Shirat Hayam (The ). Moses sang this song after crossing the Reed Sea. Afterward, Miriam led the women in singing their own Shirat Hayam as they danced and played tambourines to celebrate their freedom. The (prophetic reading) for Shabbat Shirah (See “Fabulous Females”) is the story of the wise judge Deborah (Judges 4:4-5:31) and the heroic woman Yael. Shabbat Shirah Customs In recent years, women have written English songs about Miriam and her song. Today, many communities celebrate Shabbat Shirah with concerts, sing-ins, or extra singing during Shabbat services. Tu Beshevat Tu Beshevat (The 15th of Shevat) comes at the same time as the full moon and marks the New Year for the Trees. During Temple times, Tu Beshevat was something like an ancient tax day. Any fruit that ripened before the 15th of Shevat was taxed as the last year’s crop; anything that ripened after the 15th counted as next year’s crop. These taxes, more accurately called tithes, went toward maintaining the Temple. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 50 Shevat Tu Beshevat Customs Holding a Tu Beshevat seder.1 In the sixteenth century, the mystics of 1. For wonderful materi- Sefat (a town in Northern Israel) became interested in Tu Beshevat as a als on Tu Beshevat, way to celebrate nature. They created a Tu Beshevat seder and made up including how to lead prayers that enhance our appreciation for trees and fruits. The seder is your own seder, see modeled on the seder and involves drinking four cups of wine Ellen Bernstein, Ecology and eating up to fifteen different fruits! Today there are many beautiful & The Jewish Spirit: and creative Tu Beshevat seders available in print. Where Nature and the Sacred Meet (Vermont: Planting trees. In the late nineteenth century, the growing Jewish Jewish Lights, 1998) settlements in Palestine found planting trees to be a crucial part of and Ari Elon, Naomi restoring the land. From that time until today, Jews all Hyman, and Arthur Waskow, eds., Trees, over the world collect money for planting trees in Israel. Earth, and Torah: Enhancing awareness about and protection of the A Tu B’Shvat Anthology environment.2 On Tu Beshevat, we should make an extra (Philadelphia, PA: Jewish Publication effort to learn about important environmental issues and Society, 1999). recommit ourselves to protecting and nurturing our world. 2. For more information Contemplating “The Tree of Life.” The Torah is often referred to on Judaism and as Etz H. aim, “The Tree of Life.” What does this metaphor mean to you? Ecology, see Ellen Bernstein and Fink’s Let The Earth Teach You Torah (Washington, DC: Etz hayim hi lamahazikim bah vetomheha me’ushar. Shomrei Adamah, . . . 1992). Derah. eha darh. ey no’am veh. ol netivoteha shalom. It is a Tree of Life to those who hold fast to it and whoever holds onto it is happy. Its ways are pleasant and all its paths are peaceful.

Proverbs 3:17-18 FABULOUS FEMALES Torah, Women, and Trees Scholar Penina Adelman reminds us that important biblical women have names signifying trees. Another name for Esther is Hadassah, from hadas, meaning myrtle; Tamar [the name of Judah’s wife (Genesis 38:6), King David’s daughter (II Samuel 13:1), and Absalom’s daughter (II Samuel 14:27)], means date palm tree. The judge Deborah heard cases while sitting under Tamar Devorah, Deborah’s date palm tree. The alon bachut, “weeping tree,” stands where Rebecca’s nurse, another woman named Deborah, died. Adelman also points out that Etz H. ayim (The Tree of Life) is an important feminine symbol in Judaism. Women bear offspring, as the Torah bears wisdom, and trees bear fruit. A woman’s children are often referred to as the “fruit of her womb.” In Shevat, we recognize the fabulous female connection to the life-giving cycles of nature. The haftarah for Shabbat Shirah (See “Features”) is the story of the judge Deborah (Judges 4:4-5:31) and Yael. It was selected because Deborah, like Miriam, sang a song in celebration of God’s miracles. These two women’s poems, scholars tell us, are among the oldest parts of the . © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 51 Shevat Deborah, one of the Women of Light we read about in Kislev, is the only female judge named in the Torah. She was wise and fair. Deborah sat under her date palm tree and decided cases for the Israelites. Once, Deborah—who was also a prophet—urged the Israelites into battle, informing them that God had commanded it and would see to it that they would come out victorious “by the hand of a woman.” When the battle was indeed won, Deborah sang a victory song. Deborah inspires us to act fairly, cultivate wisdom, and pursue justice. Deborah’s success as a judge—an occupation that in her day was dominated by men—reminds us that women can do anything. Yael was instrumental in the Israelites’ obtaining the victory that Deborah had prophesied. When she encountered the enemy king, Yael invited him into her tent. She fed him milk to make him drowsy. When he fell asleep, Yael made sure he would never wake again by driving a tent peg through his temple. Yael, like Judith of Kislev, inspires our praise for her show of courage in a situation of great danger. At the same time, her rather gruesome story reminds us of the evils of battle and should motivate us to do all we can to rid the world of war. FOODS The Tu Beshevat seder is filled with delicious and healthy fruits. Why not enjoy them throughout the month? In the Tu Beshevat seder, fruits are divided into three groups: • fruits with insides we can eat and outsides that we can’t eat. Some examples are bananas, pomegranates, , and oranges. • fruits with outsides we can eat and hard pits inside, which we can’t eat. Some examples are , dates, cherries, and avocados. • fruits that we can eat inside and out. Some examples are seedless grapes, figs, and carobs. Each of these groups can be thought of as different types of people or different moods we might experience. Some people, for example, have a hard, tough shell but are soft-hearted; other people can seem to be very easy going but they have a lot of inner resolve and conviction. Try thinking about these distinctions and see what you come up with. You can also invent distinctions of your own. Red and white grape juices are also important parts of the Tu Beshevat seder. At the seder, white juice or wine is served as the first cup, symbolizing winter, when seeds are still dormant. Next comes white wine or juice with a dash of red, symbolizing spring and hinting at the seeds’ reawakening and the coming of colorful flowers. The third cup is filled with red wine or juice with a dash of white, symbolizing summer when fruits and vegetables grow freely, and we are reminded of the richness of life. Last comes a cup full of red wine or juice, symbolizing autumn, when we celebrate fully the fruits of the harvest season. This is a good month to drink juices and appreciate how delicious and healthful fruits are. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 52 Shevat ROSH H. ODESH: IT’S A GIRL THING! The Essence of

FAST FACTS Adar is unique in the Jewish calendar because some years contain two . Most calendars used throughout the world are solar (based on the rotation of the earth around the sun), so that they are aligned with agricultural seasons. The Muslim calendar is based solely on the moon, which is most useful for a nomadic culture. The Jewish calendar is unusual in being based on both the sun and the moon, blending the needs of agricultural and nomadic peoples. But the solar year and lunar year are not even in length. The annual cycle of the moon around the earth takes 354 days and the annual cycle of the earth around the sun takes 365. So, seven of the nineteen years in the cycle of the Jewish calendar are designated as “leap years,” in which a “leap month” is added to compensate for the difference and “even them out.” During leap years we add an extra Adar before the regular Adar. We call this extra month Adar I, and the regular Adar becomes Adar II. Therefore, when there are two Adars, falls in Adar II. Adar is the twelfth month of the Jewish calendar, but on leap years, Adar I is the twelfth and Adar II is the thirteenth month. Adar I comes at the same time as the secular months February/March. We can think of Adar I as a hidden month, revealed only when we need it, to set the calendar straight! Similarly, in the natural world, many things hidden are coming to light. Hints of spring, until now hidden beneath the snow, begin to show themselves. We wonder when the first flowers will come out of their hiding place. Adar (no leap year) and Adar II (leap year) come at the same time as the secular months March/April. “It’s early spring. The brown…trees of winter have put on gleaming costumes of bright green…People act a little crazy—shedding heavy clothes while there is still a chill in the air, 1. Arthur I. Waskow, laughing a little wildly when there is no reason….”1 We’ve gotten giddy; Seasons of Our Joy: we’ve caught spring fever. A Modern Guide to Jewish Festivals, 3rd ed. Because Purim falls in Adar, both Adars (New York: Beacon Press, 1990), 115. are the happiest, most joyous months of the . Adar’s motto is

Mishenih.nas Adar marbim besimh.ah. When Adar arrives, joy increases. —Talmud, Taanit 29a ©JK © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 53 Adar The mazal (constellation) for Adar is Pisces, dagim (fish). Living in the vast, deep ocean, fish are the creatures of a “hidden world.” During Purim, Queen Esther saved the day by revealing her to the king. We can imagine that Esther’s true identity was still hidden like a fish under water. Jews have been compared to fish swimming in an ocean of Torah. In Adar or Adar II, we splash happily in one of the most joyous stories of the Bible. FEATURES Purim Purim is celebrated on the 14th of Adar (or Adar II in a leap year). Falling on the full moon, it comes one month after Tu Beshevat and one month before Passover. Purim marks the day the Jews celebrated their victory over and his cohort. Because the Jews of the walled city of Sushan fought against their enemies for an extra day, they observed Purim on the 15th of Adar. The rabbis decreed that all cities that were walled at the time of should observe Purim on the 15th as well. This rule is applied only to Jerusalem, where “Shushan Purim” is observed on the 15th to this day. The story of Purim is told in Megilat Ester, The , one of two books of the Bible to bear a woman’s name. (The other is .) The Hebrew Bible is often referred to by Jews as the Tanah. , after the initial letters of its three parts: Torah (Five Books of Moses), Nevi’im (Prophets), and (Writings). Megilat Ester is found in Ketuvim. Purim is one of the few celebrating the talents, courage, and dedication of a woman. The story begins when Queen is banished for refusing to entertain the king’s guests, and Esther is chosen in a beauty contest to be the new queen.2 Haman, the evil courtier, gets promoted to grand vizier, but Mordeh. ai, Esther’s uncle, refuses to bow down to him.3 Haman decides to take revenge on Mordeh. ai and on all the Jews. He convinces the foolish King (Ah.ashverosh) to call for the massacre of all the Jews throughout the kingdom. Purim means “lots,” referring to the fact that Haman picked lots to decide precisely when to kill the Jews. Mordeh. ai and Esther devise a plan to foil Haman’s evil plot. Esther courageously approaches the king and invites him to a series of parties in Haman’s honor. At the third party, Esther wines and dines the king, reveals that she is Jewish, and pleads for the life of her people.4 Haman is hanged, and the Jews are saved.5 Ta’anit Ester (The ) is a minor fast day that is traditionally observed from dawn until dusk of the day before Purim (13th of Adar). Ta’anit Ester commemorates the fast that the Jews of Shushan observed at Esther’s request as she prepared to approach the king on their behalf (see Esther 4:16). Today, some people use the occasion of Ta’anit Ester to learn about contemporary forms of injustice around our world, especially the oppression of women. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 54 Adar Purim Customs Reading Megilat Ester (The Scroll of Esther) The most well-known Purim observance is the public reading of the Purim story that is recorded in Megilat Ester. During the reading and the ceremonies that surround it, regular synagogue decorum is suspended. Instead, people dress in costumes, eat and drink to their fill (see Esther 9:22), and make noises with gragers (rattles) or other noisemakers whenever Haman’s name is read, in order to fulfill the injunction Yimah. shemo—may his name be erased (or drowned out). Purim Se’udah (Festive Meal) This celebration recalls both the royal festivities that set the story of Esther in motion and the first injunction at the conclusion of the tale, in verse 9:22, which says that after the Jews were saved from destruction, “They were to observe [the days they were saved] as days of feasting and gladness….” Matanot Le’evyonim (Giving to the Underprivileged) Purim provides a special opportunity to share our good fortune with those in need. Traditionally, gifts of money or food are given on the day of Purim itself, and can be given directly, for example, by bringing clothing or canned goods to a homeless shelter, or indirectly, by donating to a charity. Purim celebrates the gift of our very lives. We express gratitude for our lives by helping others to live. On Purim, we share our joy by inviting others to join the party! Mishloah. Manot (Sending Gifts To Friends) Observing this can be a simple or elaborate process. Traditionally, people put together a plate or bag of at least two kinds of ready-to-eat food (say, hamantaschen and an apple, or a muffin and a handful of nuts) and send them to at least two different people. Sending food to friends reminds us of the miracle of our daily sustenance and of the physical survival of the Jewish community. By contrast with ©JK the obligation to give to the needy, this custom is about sustaining friendship. It connects our personal celebration with those close to us. Plus, it’s a lot of fun to give and all kinds of and snacks throughout the day! These dual traditions of giving gifts of food to friends and to the poor are based on the second part of verse 9:22, “…and as a time for sending gifts to one another and giving presents to the poor.” ©JK FABULOUS FEMALES . Beginning in the second century CE, the twelve calendar months were associated with the twelve tribes of Israel. Adar II is an additional, 13th month, which some traditions associate with Dinah, Leah’s only daughter, the sister of the twelve brothers who led the twelve tribes. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 55 Adar Dinah’s story is complicated, and we know little about it. One day she goes out to meet the women of the local Hivite town and ends up entangled with one of the men of the place. Some traditions say that Dinah chose freely to spend time with this man; the Torah implies that he imposed himself on her by force. The Torah does not record Dinah’s own thoughts and feelings on the matter, and so we are left to speculate. Dinah’s story reminds us to be careful and to make good choices in potentially dangerous situations. At the same time, it is very important to understand that when someone is the victim of a crime as he or she was simply going about freely, the victim is innocent. When we or someone we care about are hurt, we tend to wish that the victim had done something differently so she would not have come in harm’s way. But we must remember that the one harmed is not in any way at fault. Queen Vashti. Queen Vashti showed tremendous bravery when she refused to entertain her husband’s guests at his command. Although we can’t be sure what it was that Queen Vashti found objectionable about the king’s request, scholars speculate that the king wanted her to show off her beauty in ways that she felt were inappropriate and disrespectful. Although the king banished Vashti for her chutzpah, we admire her for it and seek to emulate it in our own lives. Queen Vashti inspires us to proudly say “no” to things that make us feel uncomfortable or unsafe, or that challenge our sense of self-respect and well-being, even if doing so makes us temporarily unpopular. We can think of Vashti as being with us in those moments when we need some extra support in saying “no.” Queen Esther. Although Esther’s looks won her a place in the palace, it was her intelligence and bravery that saved the Jewish people and won her a place in Jewish history and in our hearts. Queen Esther inspires us to speak out on our own behalf whenever necessary, to take measured risks for causes we believe in, and to use both our intuition and intellect when making important decisions that affect our lives and the lives of those we love. FOODS Enjoying a festive meal is one of the mitzvot of Purim, explained above. Hamantaschen are the best-known traditional food for Purim. These triangular cookies, filled with poppy seeds, fruit, cheese or prune jam, are said to represent the three-cornered hat or three-cornered pocket 6. This and additional of the villain Haman. In Israel, hamantaschen are called ozney Haman Purim foodways (Haman’s ears). information is found in Teaching Jewish Some Sefardi Jews have a custom of wrapping hard-boiled eggs in pastry Holidays: History, Values, dough in the shape of an animal or a Purim character. These folares are and Activities by Robert baked, displayed, and later eaten as a Purim treat. Goodman (Denver: A.R.E. Publishing, 1997), 138. Bean dishes, such as , are also eaten to remind us that, according to legend, Esther ate a vegetarian diet while in the court, in order to avoid eating non-kosher food.6 © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 56 Adar ROSH H.ODESH: IT’S A GIRL THING! Essence of Nisan

FAST FACTS Nisan is the first month of the Jewish calendar. Nisan comes at the same time as the secular months March/April. The mazal (constellation) for Nisan is Aries, the taleh (ram). Nisan has two additional names. The Torah calls Nisan H.odesh Harishon (The First Month). Because the Israelites left in Nisan, it is the “first month” in the life of the Israelites as a free people. The Torah refers to the other months as second, third, etc., in relation to Nisan. The Torah also calls Nisan H.odesh Ha’ (The Month of Spring) because spring (aviv) arrives in Nisan. In Hebrew, Nisan may be related to the word nitzan, which means “bud.” Nisan marks the birth of spring, signaled by the arrival of new buds and the birth of the Israelite nation. Physical and spiritual seeds are planted in Nisan—seeds for the summer crop and seeds of freedom and liberation. Miriam, the Prophet, the sister of Moses and Aaron, is said to have died on the 10th of Nisan. Rosh H. odesh Nisan is a special Rosh H. odesh for three reasons: • On Rosh H. odesh Nisan, the Israelites received the commandment to sanctify the New Moon. This was the first commandment we received as a free nation. • According to midrash, the mishkan (the temporary sanctuary that the Israelites used as they wandered in the desert and in the Land of Israel before built the first Temple) was inaugurated on Rosh H. odesh Nisan. (Bamidbar Raba, Chapter 13) • Because Nisan is the first of the twelve months, Rosh H. odesh Nisan is considered the New Year for the Months. FEATURES Pesach Pesach (Passover) begins on the 15th of Nisan and continues for seven days, 1. Our presentation through the 21st of Nisan, although many Diaspora communities celebrate of Passover and Passover it for eight days.1 The Hebrew word Pesach literally means “pass over.” The customs draws heavily holiday of Passover gets its name from story: Prior to the tenth from Strassfeld, The Jewish Holidays: plague, God commanded the Israelites to smear blood from a sacrificial A Guide & Commentary lamb on the doorposts of their homes. God then “passed over” the Israelite (New York: Harper homes and took the lives of the Egyptian sons only. and Row, 1985), 5-9. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 57 Nisan The holiday Passover has several names: H. ag Ha’aviv (The Holiday of Spring); Zeman H. eyruteynu (The Season of our Liberation), because it celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery; and H. ag Hamatzot (The Holiday of the Unleavened Bread), because in the urgency of the Exodus, the bread dough did not have time to rise. The story of Passover begins in slavery and ends in freedom. It celebrates the faith and courage of the Israelites who left their homes in Egypt and set out for the unknown. On Passover, we anticipate the time when all Jews and all peoples will be free. Passover Customs Refraining from eating or owning h.ametz (leavened bread). The Torah states, “On the very first day, you shall remove leaven from your houses, for whoever eats leavened bread from the first day to the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel” (Exodus 12:15). It is customary to rid our homes of h.ametz during the weeks before Passover and to hold a final search for any remaining h.ametz on the night before Passover. The next morning, we burn whatever h.ametz remains and renounce ownership of any h.ametz we might have overlooked. Removing h.ametz can symbolize our liberating ourselves from anything that holds us back from the pursuit of freedom for ourselves and for all peoples. We recommend that if you rid your home of h.ametz, donate it to a local food bank. Giving Ma’ot H. itim (Wheat Money). Many people give tzedakah to Jewish communal funds before Passover so that the poor may obtain matzah and celebrate Pesach fully. Participating in seders. On the first night of Passover, it is customary to gather in families or groups for a seder. In the Diaspora, traditional families also hold a seder on the second night. In Hebrew, seder simply means “order.” The includes rituals arranged in a particular order designed to help us relive the Passover story. Both the rituals and the story of Passover are described in detail in the hagadah, the liturgical text we read together at the seder. The seder includes rituals such as eating matzah and (bitter herbs), drinking four cups of wine or grape juice, singing songs, dipping greens into salt water, and eating a meal. These rituals remind us both of the bitterness of slavery and the sweetness of liberation. The ritual of the Four Questions in which children ask, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” highlights the importance Judaism places on passing down traditions from generation to generation. The ritual of removing one drop of wine or juice from our cups for every plague suffered by the Egyptians emphasizes the Jewish value that we should never rejoice in the suffering of others, even our enemies. The seder uses many different symbols of spring and of slavery and liberation to tell the story, including wine, matzah, and the objects on the seder plate—h. aroset (a sweet paste that reminds us of mortar), fresh greens, a roasted egg, a roasted shank bone (or symbolic equivalent), and bitter herbs. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 58 Nisan Adding to the hagadah. In recent years, new symbols have been added at some seders, including: • an additional ceremonial “Matzah of Hope” to remind us of Jews still living under repressive governments; • an orange on the seder plate to signify women taking new, fulfilling roles in Jewish communal life; and • special objects to increase awareness of the role of Miriam and other women in the Exodus: Tambourines. After the miracle of the waters parting when the Israelites crossed the sea, the Torah says: “And Miriam the prophet, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels, dancing” (Exodus 15:20). Some families include tambourines on their seder tables for use during the songs and rituals of the seder. Kos Miriam (Miriam’s Cup) is a new ritual object for the seder table that has been introduced to remind us of women’s important role in redemption. Just as Elijah’s Cup, filled with wine, expresses our hope for peace in a Messianic future, Miriam’s Cup, filled with spring water, expresses our gratitude for the miracles of the past and present. The water reminds us of the river beside which Miriam watched Moses, the beside which she danced, and the legendary well that accompanied her in the desert. Many hagadot have also added special prayers for the liberation of still- repressed people (such as for African-Americans in the 1960s, for Soviet Jews during the 1970s and 1980s, or for Jews remaining in Ethiopia today) and to celebrate the heroism of freedom fighters (such as during the uprising of the Warsaw Ghetto, or Nelson Mandela’s campaign for equality in South Africa). As one example, in 1944, the Jews in the concentration camp of Bergen-Belsen had no matzah for Pesach. Under the circumstances, the rabbis among them decided that eating leavened bread was permissible and that they should recite the following kavanah before meals during Passover: Our Father in Heaven, behold, it is evident and known to you that it is our desire to do your will and to celebrate the Festival of Pesach by eating matzah and by observing the prohibition of hametz. But our hearts are pained that the enslavement prevents us from eating matzah, and we are in danger of our lives. Behold, we are ready to fulfill your commandment: ‘And you shall live by 2. Joy Levitt and Michael Strassfeld, A Night of them and not die by them.’ Therefore, our prayer to you is that you Questions: A Passover may keep us alive and save us and rescue us speedily so that we (Elkins Park, may observe your commandments and do your will and serve you PA: The Reconstructionist with a perfect heart. Amen.2 Press, 2000), 111. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 59 Nisan Saving the Afikomen. There is a folk tradition that the afikomen (a piece of matzah saved at the beginning of the seder for dessert) is an amulet for good luck. Some people save a piece of it for the entire year as a reminder that the work of liberation is not finished. Reciting Shir Hashirim. (The Song of Songs). Many communities recite Shir Hashirim either after the seder or before the on the Shabbat that falls during Passover. The traditional interpretation of Shir Hashirim is that it is a love song between God and Israel and thus it is especially appropriate to recite it on Passover, “which might be viewed as the onset of the love affair between God and Israel which culminates fifty days later in” their symbolic marriage on .3 Shir Hashirim is filled with images of spring and nature and first love, all of which are fitting for H. ag Ha’aviv (The Holiday of Spring—Passover). Counting the . In Leviticus, the third book of the Torah, it says, “You shall count…from the day that you brought the omer as a ” (23:15). The omer was a measure of barley that Jews brought as an offering to the Temple on the second day of Passover. The Bible tells us to count forty-nine days from the bringing of the omer until the eve of Shavuot. Although we no longer bring barley to the Temple, these seven weeks are still known as “the Omer,” and the ritual of counting each night is known as “Counting the Omer.” The kabbalists (Jewish mystics) saw the Omer as a time for preparing ourselves to receive Torah on Shavuot by reflecting on one’s personal qualities. They taught that during each week of the Omer we should meditate on a different spiritual quality. The kabbalists associated each spiritual quality with a color and with a part of the body. Later thinkers associated each quality with a woman from Jewish history. Yom HaShoah (Holocaust ) Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Memorial Day) was established by the Israeli government on the 27th of Nisan to commemorate the Holocaust and its victims. In Israel, banks, schools, most businesses and theaters, and other places of entertainment are closed on this day. Memorial services are held in Israel and across the globe. FABULOUS FEMALES 4. The Journey Continues: Shifra and Puah were the Hebrew midwives whose heroism begins The Ma’yan Passover Haggadah, Tamar R. the Exodus story. Although the Torah does not record Shifra and Puah’s Cohen, ed., a publication own words, a contemporary women’s hagadah imagines their thoughts: of Ma’yan: The Jewish “We, Shifra and Puah, were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt. We were also Women’s Project, a midwives and respected leaders in our community. When Pharaoh program of the Jewish Community Center decreed that we put all baby boys to death, we were not able to comply. of Manhattan, 56. For we felt the mighty hand of God in our outstretched arms as we helped bring Israelite infants into the world.”4 © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 60 Nisan Shifra and Puah remind us that the big changes that improve the lives of multitudes begin with the small, brave actions of the few. Each one of us has an important part to play in the redemption of the Jewish people and of the world. Jochebed was the courageous and loving mother of Miriam, Moses, and Aaron. When Moses was born, Jochebed risked her life to save him from Pharaoh’s decree to kill all the male Hebrew newborns. Jochebed hid Moses in her home for three months, and then when she could hide him no longer, she placed him in a basket and sent it afloat in the river. Jochebed reminds us of the risks and sacrifices that mothers make for their children in every generation. As we imagine her sending her son away to an unknown fate, she inspires our empathy for all mothers who watch their children go on their way, sometimes to places of danger. May she inspire us to express our gratitude for the dedication of our own mothers. Pharaoh’s daughter was the brave and defiant Egyptian woman who rescued Moses from the Nile and raised him to adulthood. Although the Torah simply calls her Bat Paroh (Pharaoh’s daughter), the rabbis renamed her Batyah (Daughter of God). The classical midrashim (legends about the Bible) suggest that although Moses was floating at a far-off distance from Batyah, she was able to save him because God miraculously lengthened her arm. Pharaoh’s daughter teaches us that compassion transcends difference, that the value of life transcends all of our cultural boundaries, and that if we are alert to opportunity, we, too, might be lifesaving agents. Miriam was the sister of Moses and Aaron. We first meet Miriam as she watches over Moses, afloat in the basket his mother made for him. When she sees Pharaoh’s daughter take Moses out of the Nile, Miriam, a mere slave, speaks to the princess and suggests that she get a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby. Never telling the princess about her own relationship to Moses, Miriam arranges for Jochebed to become Moses’ wet-nurse. Miriam’s fearlessness and self-confidence at this early age indicate the kind of woman she was to become. The next time we meet Miriam, she is an adult, and she is leading the women in song and dance after passing through the parted sea. Here, she is called a nevi’ah (prophet, f.). Miriam has 5. See also become an important leader of her people; she plays a central Lori Hope Lefkovitz, role in founding the Israelite nation, in strengthening the “Miriam’s Leadership: A Reconstruction,” in people’s spirits, and in inspiring them to sing and rejoice. The Women’s Passover Companion: Women’s We next encounter Miriam as she is again speaking out bravely, Reflections on the Festival this time to reprimand her brother. The Torah says that Miriam, along with of Freedom, edited by Aaron, speaks out against Moses regarding his wife, and challenges his Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, leadership of the people, saying, “Has God not spoken through us as well?” Tara Mohr, and Catherine Spector (Woodstock, VT: Although God punishes Miriam with leprosy for her words against her Jewish Lights Publishing, brother, the people remain her devoted followers. While Miriam lives out 2003), 113-119. her seven-day punishment in seclusion, the entire nation pauses in its travels through the desert, awaiting her return. They refuse to go anywhere without Miriam. Later, when Miriam dies, the people mourn and the earth is dry.5 © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 61 Nisan Miriam inspires us to have faith and courage in facing the crucial moments in our own lives when we are challenged to take a stand or even just a step. She reminds us that we all have opportunities to bring joy to our lives and to those around us. Her example encourages us to participate in girls’ and women’s community and find strength, support, and friendship among girls and women. Finally, she models women’s equality in leadership. FOODS Foods from the seder can be delicious treats even after the seders. For example, try making a variety of h.aroset recipes throughout the month. Ashkenazi (Northern European) Jews commonly make h.aroset with apples, nuts, wine or juice, raisins, and spices. Sephardi (Mediterranean) recipes can include a range of ingredients, such as almonds, dates, figs, bananas, and oranges. Matzah pizzas are often a favorite, as are of different flavors, shapes, and sizes. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 62 Nisan ROSH H.ODESH: IT’S A GIRL THING! Essence of

FAST FACTS Iyar is the second of the twelve months of the Jewish calendar. Iyar comes at the same time as the secular months April/May. The mazal (constellation) for Iyar is Taurus, shor (the bull), an animal known for its strength and determination. During Iyar, the seeds that were planted in Nisan are determinedly forcing their way through the earth toward the sun, from darkness to light. The Israelite people who left the darkness of Egypt are traveling toward the illumination of . Iyar links the months of Nisan and through the — the forty-nine days between the holidays of Passover and Shavuot. As we count the Omer, we experience our own growth and the growth of the Jewish people. In Nisan, we became a nation, born in the Exodus from Egypt. Iyar represents our adolescence as we struggle with our newfound freedom to become a mature nation ready to receive the Torah in the month of Sivan. In the Bible, the month of Iyar is called “Ziv,” meaning radiance. The month of Iyar is commonly referred to as the month of natural healing, for its name is an acronym for Ani Adonay Rofeh.a—“I am God your Healer” (Exodus 15:26). Tradition teaches that the well that followed Miriam the prophet first appeared during Iyar, as did , the food that sustained the ancient Israelites during their desert journey. Miriam’s yahrzeit is observed on the 10th of Iyar. FEATURES Yom Hazikaron Yom Hazikaron ( Memorial Day) is observed on the 4th of Iyar. Many communities recite special memorial prayers on this day. Yom Ha’atzma’ut Yom Ha’atzma’ut (Israel Independence Day) is observed on the 5th of Iyar. Yom Ha’atzma’ut commemorates the establishment of modern Israel on this day in 1948. Many communities say special prayers of thanksgiving and hold celebratory feasts. Lag Be’omer Lag Be’omer (The 33rd Day of the Omer) falls on the 18th of Iyar. According to tradition, a plague afflicting many students of the great sage Akiba ceased on Lag Be’omer. Thus, the 18th of Iyar is a celebratory day on which joyous activities that are forbidden during the rest of the Omer period are permitted. These activities include weddings, picnics, and haircuts. Many communities celebrate Lag Be’omer with bonfires and picnics. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 63 Iyar Yom Yerushalayim Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Reunification Day) is observed on the 28th of Iyar. This day commemorates the reunification of the city of Jerusalem in 1967. Sefirat Ha’omer Sefirat Ha’omer (Counting the Omer). In Leviticus, the third book of the Torah, it says, “You shall count… from the day that you brought the omer as a wave offering” (23:15). The omer was a measure of barley that Jews brought as an offering to the Temple on the second day of Passover. The Bible tells us to count seven weeks from the bringing of the omer until the eve of Shavuot. Although we no longer bring barley to the Temple, these forty-nine days are still known as “the Omer,” and the ritual of counting each night is known as Sefirat Ha’omer (Counting the Omer). The counting begins the second night of Pesach and continues until Shavuot, when we receive the Torah. By linking the theme of freedom to the acceptance of the Torah, the Omer reminds us that with freedom comes the responsibility to give our lives meaning. The kabbalists (Jewish mystics) saw the Omer as a period of preparing oneself to be ready and willing to accept the Torah by taking time to reflect on one’s personal qualities. They taught that during each week of the Omer we should meditate on a different spiritual quality. The kabbalists associated each spiritual quality with a color and a part of the body. Later Omer thinkers also associated each quality with a woman from Jewish history.

Color system developed by Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, correlating the (characteristics) with the days of creation, in designing the P’nai Or Rainbow . © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 64 Iyar FABULOUS FEMALES All of the females associated with the Omer are fabulous. Since many of the women are featured in other months, we chose Rebecca, along with her nurse Deborah, as our Fabulous Females of Iyar. (This Deborah’s namesake—Deborah the Judge—is mentioned on the Omer chart.) Rebecca is the second matriarch of the Jewish people. One day, when Rebecca was at her family well, a stranger approached and she rushed to give him and all of his camels enough water to drink. This stranger turned out to be Abraham’s servant, Eliezar, who was on a mission to find a suit- able wife for Abraham’s son, Isaac. Upon Eliezar’s request, Rebecca consent- ed to marry Isaac. After a tearful goodbye in which she received her parents’ blessing, Rebecca and her nurse Deborah left their homeland and went with Eliezar to meet Isaac. It was love at first sight for both Rebecca and Isaac. After twenty years of childless marriage, Rebecca became pregnant with twins. She had a difficult pregnancy and cried out to God in pain. God answered her directly, a privilege granted no other woman in the Hebrew Bible, with the exception of Hagar. God told Rebecca that the twins were struggling in her womb and that the “older was destined to serve the younger,” an unusual situation in those times. Years later, Rebecca helped her younger son Jacob trick his father into giving him the blessing due his older brother so that God’s words would come true. Rebecca inspires us to rush to give generously to those in need whose paths cross our own. She also reminds us that God’s presence is with us even in the difficult times in our lives when we feel alone and in pain. Deborah is Rebecca’s nurse. The Torah mentions this Deborah twice— when she goes with Rebecca to live with Isaac, and when she dies and is buried. Deborah is the only servant in the Bible whose death and burial are mentioned at all. Perhaps this signifies that Deborah was very important to Rebecca. The only person who knew Rebecca throughout Rebecca’s life, Deborah must have been a beloved companion. Deborah invites our admiration for her hard work and her devotion. She reminds us to honor and celebrate the lives and work of nurses and health care workers in our day. FOODS Since manna was first given in Iyar, foods that represent manna are wonderful for this month. The Talmud says that manna tasted different to different people: to young people, it tasted like bread; to elderly people, it tasted like oil (a delicacy in the desert); and to infants, it tasted like honey (Yoma 75b). In many Jewish communities, people eat two on Friday night to represent the double portion of manna that the Israelites received on Friday nights so they would not have to forage for it on Shabbat (Exodus 16:22–25). In Iyar, try eating challah (or any other bread you enjoy) dipped in oil or honey. Bottled spring water can remind us of Miriam’s Well, which tradition says made its first appearance in Iyar. It’s also a great idea to eat Middle Eastern foods, such as , humus, and , in honor of Israel’s Independence Day. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 65 Iyar ROSH H.ODESH: IT’S A GIRL THING! Essence of Sivan

FAST FACTS Sivan is the third month of the Jewish calendar. Sivan comes at the same time as the secular months May/June. The mazal (constellation) for Sivan is Gemini, the te’omim (twins). We can think of the twins as symbolizing the two “tablets of the covenant” given to Moses during the month of Sivan. Tradition teaches that on Rosh H. odesh Sivan, the Israelites camped at the foot of waiting to receive the Torah (Exodus 19:6). The Hebrew verb used for “camped” in Exodus 19:6 is in the singular. It is taught that at the moment the Israelites determined to receive the Torah, they were united in heart and mind as a single person. Sivan’s symbol of the twins—two distinct human beings sharing one womb— can represent the harmony that comes when people celebrate their differences while coming together to work for a common higher goal, such as receiving and following the Torah. FEATURES Shavuot Shavuot (The Feast of Weeks) falls on the sixth day of Sivan (and on the seventh of Sivan for those Diaspora communities that observe two days). In biblical times, Shavuot marked the end of the grain harvest (which began with the bringing of the Omer on Pesach), and was called H. ag Hakatzir (The Harvest Holiday). The ritual ushering in the new agricultural season—the bringing of the of the land to the Temple—was also celebrated on Shavuot. From this practice, Shavuot gets the name H. ag Habikurim (The Holiday of the First Fruits). With the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, Shavuot’s association with agricultural rites diminished. The rabbis began to connect Shavuot with the Revelation on Mount Sinai, which, according to the Torah, took place in Sivan. Today, Shavuot celebrates the giving and receiving of the Torah. Shavuot Customs Studying Torah all night long. To stay up the entire (first) night of Shavuot studying Torah is a kabbalistic tradition, coming from the sixteenth-century mystics of . Known as Tikun Leyl Shavuot (“Tikun” means “repair”; “leyl” means “night of”), this all-night study session is an opportunity to recommit ourselves to the study of Torah. Tradition teaches that the skies open during this night for a brief moment, and God favorably answers all prayers. The kabbalists also thought of Shavuot as the moment when God and Israel wed; the Torah is the ketubah (marriage contract) or written affirmation of the covenant between them. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 66 Sivan Chanting the . On Shavuot, it is customary to chant the Ten Commandments with a special trop (tune). The Ten Command- ments are found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, with minor differences. Here is the version from Deuteronomy: I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, the house of bondage: You shall have no other gods beside Me. You shall not make for yourself a sculptured image, any likeness of what is in the heavens above, or on the earth below, or in the waters below the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them…. You shall not swear falsely by the name of the Lord your God…. Observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy…. Honor your father and your mother…. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not crave your Excerpted from Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures neighbor’s house, or his field…or anything that is your neighbor’s. (Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1988). (Deuteronomy 5:6–18) ©1988 The Jewish Publication Society. Reading Megilat Rut (The Book of Ruth). Megilat Rut tells a story of Used with permission a relationship of great love, loyalty, and devotion that develops between of The Jewish Publication Society. All rights reserved. the two heroines of the story, Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth. It is customary among Ashkenazi (Northern European) Jews to read Megilat Rut during the morning services of Shavuot, because— • Like Shavuot, Ruth’s story takes place during harvest time. • Ruth converts to Judaism, which is similar to our acceptance of the Torah on Shavuot. • Tradition teaches that King David, Ruth’s great-great-grandson, was born and died on Shavuot. Decorating the synagogue and our homes with roses and fragrant greenery. This custom derives from many different midrashim (legends) connecting the events at Sinai to spices and roses. One midrash says that as each commandment was given, the world filled with the fragrance of spices. Eating Torah (well, not exactly!). In many European towns, young children were first introduced to the Torah and Hebrew on Shavuot. It was customary to dab honey on the tablets upon which Hebrew letters were written; as their teachers taught, the children would lick the honey. Passages from the Torah were also written on honey cakes and eggs. When the lessons were finished, the children were given the cake and eggs to eat. The cake was made with a lot of honey and milk, as it is written: “Honey and milk are under your tongue” (Shir Hashirim 11:4). © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 67 Sivan Confirmation: affirming our commitments. In keeping with the emphasis on learning and on accepting the Torah on Shavuot, many synagogues hold confirmation ceremonies on Shavuot. FABULOUS FEMALES This month’s fabulous females are Naomi and Ruth, whom we read about in Megilat Rut. Naomi and her family flee a famine in Bethlehem to the enemy territory of Moab. There, Naomi’s sons marry Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. After Naomi’s husband and sons die and the famine has lifted in the Land of Israel, Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem. Despite Naomi’s protests, Ruth joins her, committing herself to Naomi and to the Jewish people. Ruth gleans for food in the barley harvest, happening upon the field of the kind and generous Boaz, who is a distant relative of Naomi. Boaz marries Ruth and they have a child who becomes the of King David. Naomi loves her grandson as if he were her own child, and she is taken care of in her old age. Naomi endures many hardships in her life, moving from joy and abundance to sorrow and emptiness and back to joyful abundance. Her story reminds us that when we let true friends accompany us, we can make it through even the most painful turns in life’s journey. May we learn from Naomi to accept the love that we are freely offered, trusting in our own worth. Ruth inspires us to pursue Torah and Jewish learning and community with devotion and enthusiasm. Her story reveals that great things come when we follow our hearts and when we give love freely and fully. We can learn from Naomi and Ruth’s story that even when things seem desperate, we should stay hopeful and keep trying. FOODS It is customary to eat dairy foods on Shavuot. This custom may come from the verse in Shir Hashirim (Song of Songs): “Honey and milk are under your tongue,” which can be understood as comparing the Torah to the sweetness of milk and honey. Another traditional explanation for this custom is that when the Israelites first received the laws of , they realized that all their clay pots were unkosher from having been used to cook forbidden meats, and so they ate dairy food until they were able to make new pots. Try some new cheeses on Shavuot, and indulge in , ice cream, and other sweet and creamy desserts! Since Shavuot is a harvest festival, in Israel there is a tradition of eating the first fruits of the season. We invite you to do the same. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. All rights reserved. © 2001-2012 Moving Traditions. 68 Sivan