May the Shechinah, the Holy Presence,
that brings forth the female in the Divine,
spread Her wings over you and protect you.
May Her light shine upon you with compassion,
And may Her countenance illumine your lives
With shalom with wholeness and peace.
Like RuthAn important female biblical character with her own book. The Book of Ruth, read on Shavuot, tells the story of Ruth’s devotion to her mother-in-law, Naomi, and their return to Israel. Ruth’s story is often read as the first story of conversion. Ruth is the grandmother of King David. and Naomi,
may you walk together,
weathering sands and winds,
and may you reach
your Promised Land
together.
Like Ruth and Naomi,
may you find strength in each other,
and enjoy the gentle caress of love
that held them together
in the worst of times
and in the best of times.
Like the women of our tradition,
may you be
together as women
in your wholeness
strong and compassionate,
tender and fierce,
courageous and fragile,
adventurous and meek,
tasting sweetness in celebration,
and surviving bitterness with determination.
Like our mother 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.,
may you live to dance and rejoice
at the shores of
your own liberation,
taking timbrel in hand
and saying:
Sing out to the Holy One,
for God is great
for She has given us life,
and sustained us in life,
and has brought us together
to celebrate
at this most joyous moment!
Amen.
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