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 Aaron, silent endurer, giver of love and beauty, and peace;
As I reach out to take the hand of Miriam, the wounded woman, her whitish skin* resting in my palms.
As I wrap myself in the silver-armored tallis of my mother’s family, Berukhah At Yah, Shekhinah—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
