there are as many ways to view the new moon
as there are days in our lives.
to view a moon
a poet’s moon
you need only three things:
a silent spot inside you
a willingness to wait in the dark
and a wily nature that refuses to accept the “Man-in-the-Moon”
as the ultimate authority.
here is one way to observe the new moon:
settle upon a path from which to grasp
the handle of white gold waiting above
find a quiet spot inside your sight.
in the darkness, close your eyes
and cover them, as if blessing the shabbos candles
“Praised are You, O Shechinah
who parts the days of the month
calls attention to our covenant and helps us to be
a light upon the earth.”
then, slowly open your eyes
and behold the beginning
of time.
From Celebrating the New Moon: A Rosh ChodeshThe new moon, which marks the beginning of the Jewish month. According to tradition, because women did not participate in the sin of the golden calf, they were given the holiday of Rosh Chodesh. It is customary for women not to work on Rosh Chodesh. Anthology (Jason Aronson, 1996), p. 182.
