Shema

Baruch atah Adonai

Brucha at Shechina

Blessed One-ness

Bringing connection when there is separation,

Remembering joy even when we cannot.

One-ness,

We are blessed to be part of this holy wholeness

Even if we understand so little of it.

We are blessed to have received so much love,

Even when it is lost. 

And we pray for the strength to perceive the blessings

Even when it hurts so much.

Amen. 

“When will I be myself again?”

Some Tuesday, perhaps,

In the late afternoon,

Sitting quietly with a cup of tea

And a cookie;

Or Wednesday, same time or later,

You will stir from a nap and see her;

You will pick up the phone to call her;

You will hear her voice – unexpected advice –

And maybe argue.

And you will not be frightened,

And you will not be sad,

And you will not be alone,

Not alone at all,

And your tears will warm you.

But not today,

And not tomorrow,

And not tomorrow’s tomorrow,

But someday,

Some Tuesday, late in the afternoon,

Sitting quietly with a cup of tea

And a cookie

And you will be yourself again.

From: Beside Still Waters, available for download and purchase. 

Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife (https://www.keshirahalev.com) offers eight questions to guide us in reflection as we wind down and look ahead to a new secular year. Inspired by the great teacher, Rabbi Shammai, who starts Hanukkah with eight candles lit and ends with just one candle, this ritual invites us to count down and release as we move toward (and embrace) the darkest part of the year. 

8) What is something you're ready to leave behind this year? 

7) What is something you have less of now than you did at the beginning of the year, that you're glad about? 

6) What is a habit, practice, routine or belief that you have released this year? 

5) What is an obligation that you were able to lay down this year? Is there something you are secretly glad you didn't have to do? 

4) What is something you released that has given new life elsewhere? 

3) What is something you're savoring from this past year that is likely to go away or end when this pandemic time is over? 

2) With all you've let go of this past year, what has it made room for? 

1) What has been the biggest blessing of this time? What do you want to take with you into the new year?