Cheshvan Message

Shalom Friends,

During the months of Elul and Tishrei we experienced holiday after holiday and engaged in a process of return to our true selves and rediscovering our true purpose. This was followed by the celebratory joy of Sukkot and Simchat Torah.

Now we have entered the Jewish month of Cheshvan (in Hebrew: חֶשְׁוַן), or as it is also known, Mar-Cheshvan, a season of ordinary routine days. It is the only month which contains no holidays or special mitzvot. Following such a great spiritual ascent, there is a danger of a fall. We must find a way of sustaining the elevated level of the past two months during the days of Cheshvan which are relatively mundane.

If we look closely, there is a hint of how to maintain our heightened spiritual state hidden in the title we give to Cheshvan, the word "mar." There are two different interpretations as to why we give Cheshvan this title. One is that the month is bitter ("mar" in Hebrew) because it contains no holidays. The other is that since Cheshvan contains no holidays, we are giving it an honorific title by adding the word "mar" which also means "mister."

These two different interpretations give us two different approaches toward the season. The first approach is pessimistic implying that a fall from the heights we reached during Elul and Tishrei is inevitable.

The second approach is more proactive and optimistic. Since there are no holidays in Cheshvan, it is up to us to make this month into a time of spiritual transformation on our own, independent of set holidays, through actively seeking out new opportunities for learning and growth.

To this end, there will be a variety of new programs, learning opportunities and classes at Har Shalom. Some of these include; Mitzvah Day, Musicians' Havurah, a new Israel group, and the Eco-Chanukah planning committee. There will be two new adult education classes starting up in addition to our weekly Torah study group. They are An Introduction to Judaism and The Mystics Journey: Kabbalah in Theory and Practice. Details about all of these are included later in the Kadimah and will also be posted on-line.

May we merit to call Cheshvan an honored friend rather than a time of bitterness.

Rabbi Ben and Rabbi Shoshana
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Rabbi Shoshana Leis
Rabbi Ben Newman
Congregation Har Shalom
The Center for Jewish Living
725 W. Drake Rd.
Fort Collins, CO 80526
rabbi@congregationharshalom.org
(970) 223-5191