The 19th Blessing

Today You are a lofty cloud, not a pillar, but a soft and puffy thing,

I wish for You to descend upon me,

And to surround me entirely

With calmly sparkling greyish joy,

As I recall Moses’ blessings, in storm and thunder, in childish rage;

As I lift my face to AaronBrother of Moses, chosen as Moses' interlocutor. His Hebrew name is Aharon., silent endurer, giver of love and beauty, and peace;

As I reach out to take the hand of MiriamMiriam is the sister of Moses and Aaron. As Moses' and Aaron's sister she, according to midrash, prophesies Moses' role and helps secure it by watching over the young baby, seeing to it that Pharaoh's daughter takes him and that the baby is returned to his mother for nursing. During the Israelites' trek through the desert, a magical well given on her behalf travels with the Israelites, providing water, healing, and sustenance., the wounded woman, her whitish skin^* resting in my palms.

As I wrap myself in the silver-armored tallisA four-cornered garment to which ritual fringes (tzitzit/tzitzi'ot) are affixed. The knots in the fringes represent the name of God and remind us of God's commandments. The tallit is worn during prayer and can also be drawn about oneself or around the bride and groom to symbolize divine protection. of my mother’s family, Berukhah At YahA name for God, as in "halleluyah" – praise God. Some people prefer this name for God as a non-gendered option., ShekhinahThe feminine name of God, expounded upon in the rabbinic era and then by the Kabbalists in extensive literature on the feminine attributes of the divine.—may you be protected from blindness, anger, senseless activity, and distraction;

… and may this be Your will; and may it be so; and may it be, according to You.

As I put on golden rings of loyalty and affection, Berukhah At Yah, haMalkah—may you be both held and uplifted by light and angels and love;

… and may this be Your will; and may it be so; and may it be, according to You.

And as I am standing crowned with the black crown of the princes of our people, Berukhah At Yah, Ma’ayan Ha’hayyim—may you lift your face toward the heavens, and may blessings rain all over you.

… and may this be Your will; and may it be so; and may it be, according to You.

And as I stand here all but naked, wrapped in skin, blood, and as I breathe, Berukhah At Yah, Nishmat Ha’hayyim—may you breathe in, may you breathe out, may you go out and come in—in peace.

… and may this be Your will; and may it be so; and may it be, according to You.

* Numbers 12:10