Each month in the Hebrew year is represented by a letter in the Hebrew Aleph Bet. This past month, the month of Tevet, was and still is created through the letter Ayin (ע)– which carries the value of 70. Seventy is a number that resembles the natural processes of the world (like the 7 days of creation).
The following month, Shevat, was/is created through the letter Sadik– 90 – ten times the number of months of ibur – pregnancy. The mysteries of the conception and birth processes resonate powerfully throughout this month. This month of Shevat represents rebirth.
Because the potential for renewal permeates this season, it's an excellent time to deepen our understanding of the concept Sadik – the potential good within mankind and within ourselves, the ability to be righteous. It's a productive time to rethink and revise our middot, missvot, goals, and relationships any time during this month especially now when winter begins to loosen its icy grip on us and allows for nature to be born again.
On Rosh Hodesh Shevat, as the month of Teveth interfaces with the month of Shevat, the letter Ayin combines with the letter Sadik (צ) –creating Ess (עץ)– Tree. 'He [the righteous man] is like a tree planted by streams of water…' (Tehillim 1).
No comments:
Post a Comment