People of the Book with a Calendar of the Moon

As Jews, it often feels like we live in two worlds: one shaped by the Gregorian calendar and another shaped by the Jewish lunar calendar. The beauty of our Jewish lunar calendar is that it allows us to align ourselves with the natural rhythm of the world and our environment. While the secular year resets in January, Jewish tradition recognizes four new years: Elul as a period of spiritual preparation prior to Rosh HaShanah and the wintery-cold season; Rosh HaShanah itself in the fall at the turn of the season, beginning the month of Tishrei; Tu B’Shevat in late winter, as we anticipate the rebirth of the leaves and fruits of trees; and Passover on the fifteenth of Nissan, which signals renewal of life and vegetation in the spring.

This past week, we celebrated Rosh Chodesh and entered the Hebrew month of Shevat. During this month, we say “Shenishma Besurot Tovot,” an acrostic formed from the letters of Shevat, meaning, “May we be blessed to hear good news.” As Shevat invites us to anticipate the reemergence of nature and life from the depths of this very snowy winter, we look ahead with hope, eager to witness the goodness to come.

In our Torah portion this week, Bo, meaning “Come,” good news finally arrives for the Israelites as they gather what they can and prepare to leave Egypt. It is fascinating that as we begin the month of Shevat, a time when we hope and pray to hear good news, our Torah portion is literally titled “Come,” as though the Torah cycle itself is anticipating the goodness that will unfold for our people.

My prayer this Shabbat, and for the month of Shevat, is for goodness to come our way and for each of us to emerge from this winter renewed and refreshed in rhythm with Creation.

Shenishma Besurot Tovot,
Ranata Shlobin, Rabbinic Intern