Nature-based Rosh Hashana

 

Today marks the conclusion of Rosh Hashana, one of the most important of the Jewish High Days and the equivalent of the New Year. I was intrigued to read a Washington Post piece about Jewish women who are now meeting, essentially virtually from what I can gather, for  

a small, monthly women’s group centered on the moon, the Jewish calendar and ancient Jewish beliefs about natural cycles and patterns. The Hebrew Bible establishes the Jewish calendar as based on the moon and calls for Jews to celebrate the new moon each month. The practice is called Rosh Chodesh (or “new month,” or “head of the month”).

The At The Well group began small but interest has grown for this exploration of environmental-based spiritual practices. It's certainly fitting that women whose for whom monthly cycles are integral to life would explore how the moon shapes their religious tradition. There are at least 230 “Well Circles” across the globe, she said, with the pandemic significantly expanding participants from mostly millennials to many women over 45.https://www.atthewellproject.com/

People of different rellgions, including Christianity, have grown more aware of the importance of natural cycles and rhythms in light of the environmental and climate crises we are experiencing on Planet Earth. There is a commonality as Groundlings who seek hope and meaning in the midst of so much gloomy news. As Christians we can humbly read the Jewish scriptures which also make up a large portion of our bible and awaken to the meaning and direction of these texts. 

                                                                          Moon Colours