Kislev is Here

PSALM FIFTY-NINE
Rosh Chodesh Kislev
by Debbie Perlman, z”l

Slowly, You ease the chill upon us,
Sending midday sun to warm us;
Through the shattered glass of yesterday’s pain,
You move us ahead into winter’s dark.

Balance the dark with Your light, O Eternal;
Balance the cold with the warmth of Your care.

You train us to look at both sides;
You give us a month of duality to contemplate:
Two wives, twin sons, a man with two names, A nation not knowing its own identity.

Balance our questions with Your clues, O Eternal;
Balance our fears with Your comforting hand.

And in the grip of Kislev‘s deepest cold,
Light so brief we could swallow it in one gulp,
Balance the darkness with shining eyes,
Smoothed windows cleared
To broadcast the growing light,
Pinpoints of Your living flame,
Answers to our winter yearning.