Wrapping, Embracing

Every garment I inherited from you 
is something to wrap in
long black sweater
Loden suede jacket
raincoat with zip-in lining
and pack of Kleenex in the pocket
 
Best of all, Mom,
your fleecy jacket
warm enough for the commercial produce store
where a sign over the Farmers Market room
says “Welcome to Siberia”
 
The jacket is the same cobalt blue
as my tallit, a gift to myself
the first time I read Torah
my bat mitzvah at 49
 
It’s vast, this tallit
a sweep of blue, a desert sky
I unfurl it, recite the blessing, then wing
it back with a matador flourish
and bring my hands together
above my head
making a tent—
 
mishkan
dwelling-place for 
the sacred feminine 
I invite you to enter, Mom
you—Harriet
your mother, Dora
her mother, Zlata 
and all our mothers before whose names are lost 
 
Tenderly I wrap 
the tallit around our shoulders
 
Holding us all in its blue embrace 
I ascend and chant the holy tongue
you were denied, weaving 
your voices into mine
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. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Rituals

Shop Ritualwell - Discover unique Judaica products

The Reconstructionist Network

Reclaiming the Hebrew Goddess and Writing Her Anew

Dive deep into the legacy of the Hebrew goddess! Through thoughtful reflection and inspired creative writing with guided writing prompts, discover where her secrets are hidden and reclaim her for your own. Six sessions starting December 14, 2023.

Get the latest from Ritualwell

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