Mar Heshvan

autumn forest with path between trees and waning light
I said another “goodbye”
To you, mom,
During that shift
Of time and space,
Heart and ties,
When gathered with
All of Israel.
Your death
Was not my fault.
Lo, I cannot stand
In any other way,
Than that of being
With my chosen people.
Whatever is old,
I grant permission,
To wither away.
Whatever is being born
In the darkened seed
Of Mar Heshvan
Is welcomed.
The month of Joseph whispering,
His son Manasseh’s name
“God has made me
Forget completely
My hardship and
My parental home.”
The place of brokenness;
The starting point of repair.
By means of rain,
And scent of heart,
Star Anise and cinnamon,
Cardamom and cloves,
Even as the grasses
(Re)turn to green.
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on email
Email

Ritualwell content is available for free thanks to the generous support of readers like you! Please help us continue to offer meaningful content with a donation today. 

Related Rituals

Shop Ritualwell - Discover unique Judaica products

The Reconstructionist Network

Serving as central organization of the Reconstructionist movement

Training the next generation of groundbreaking rabbis

Modeling respectful conversations on pressing Jewish issues

Curating original, Jewish rituals, and convening Jewish creatives

Jewish Spiritual Autobiography

 Writing a spiritual autobiography helps you to discover how teachers, touchstones, symbols and stories have led you to make meaning and understand the sacred in your personal story. In this immersion, join Ritualwell’s Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer, a writer and spiritual director, to map out and narrate your most sacred life experiences. Four sessions starting May 16, 2024. 

Get the latest from Ritualwell

Subscribe for the latest rituals, online learning opportunities, and unique Judaica finds from our store.

The Reconstructionist Network