Rosh Chodesh Gathering Tevet – טבת ~ Seventh Night of Hanukah ~ Hag HaBanot

Rosh Chodesh Tevet occurs during Hanukah, which begins on the 25th of Kislev. As such, Hanukah is the only Jewish holiday that occurs during two different months. At this dark time of the cycle of the year, we bring light to our windowsills and our homes through the lighting of the Hanukiah – adding a light for each of the eight nights of the festival.

In North African countries, the seventh night of Chanukah, Judith’s night of triumph, was set aside as Chag haBanot, the Festival of the Daughters ~ a time to bless daughters.

Rosh Chodesh (head/rosh of the month/chodesh) is a time to celebrate potential in our lives and to release that which is not serving our wellbeing. Chodesh shares a root/shoresh with the Hebrew word new/chadash.

In Jewish tradition, our texts tell stories of the ways in which this holy day, when the moon is new and dark, belongs to women.

What can we experience more fully from the rhythms of lunar time in harmony with the seasons’ cycles? How can this enhance our strength, focus, awareness, and compassion? How do the voices of women’s wisdom add to our experience of being and doing Jewish? What do you want to harvest to enliven your Jewish journey?