Shema

Shema Yisrael, YHVH Eloheinu, YHVH Echad. 

Hear O Israel, YHVH is our God, YHVH is One.

“Listen up, y'all," says Shekhinah

who looks today like a teacher

in corduroy dress and sedate boots.

"Let the smartphone rest a bit,

or learn how to hear My voice

coming through its speaker.

Let your love for Me well up like

unexpected tears. Everyone serves

something: give your life to Me.

Let the channel of your heart open:

My abundance will pour through.

But if you prefer profit, if you pretend—

if you're not real with Me

your life will feel hollow

and your heart be embittered.

I won't punish you; I won't need to.

Your hollowness will be punishment enough,

and the world will suffer for it.

So let My words twine 'round your arm,

and shine like a headlamp

between your eyes to light your way.

Teach them to everyone you meet.

Write them at the end of your emails

and on your business cards.

Then you'll remember how to live

with the flow of all that is holy —

you'll have heaven right here on earth."

יהו''ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם אֱמֶת

YHVH eloheichem emet.

Your God is a true God.

-by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat of Bayit 

Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife (https://www.keshirahalev.com) offers eight questions to guide us in reflection as we wind down and look ahead to a new secular year. Inspired by the great teacher, Rabbi Shammai, who starts Hanukkah with eight candles lit and ends with just one candle, this ritual invites us to count down and release as we move toward (and embrace) the darkest part of the year. 

8) What is something you're ready to leave behind this year? 

7) What is something you have less of now than you did at the beginning of the year, that you're glad about? 

6) What is a habit, practice, routine or belief that you have released this year? 

5) What is an obligation that you were able to lay down this year? Is there something you are secretly glad you didn't have to do? 

4) What is something you released that has given new life elsewhere? 

3) What is something you're savoring from this past year that is likely to go away or end when this pandemic time is over? 

2) With all you've let go of this past year, what has it made room for? 

1) What has been the biggest blessing of this time? What do you want to take with you into the new year? 

Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife (https://www.keshirahalev.com) offers eight questions to guide us in reflection as we wind down and look ahead to a new secular year. Inspired by the great teacher, Rabbi Shammai, who starts Hanukkah with eight candles lit and ends with just one candle, this ritual invites us to count down and release as we move toward (and embrace) the darkest part of the year. 

8) What is something you're ready to leave behind this year? 

7) What is something you have less of now than you did at the beginning of the year, that you're glad about? 

6) What is a habit, practice, routine or belief that you have released this year? 

5) What is an obligation that you were able to lay down this year? Is there something you are secretly glad you didn't have to do? 

4) What is something you released that has given new life elsewhere? 

3) What is something you're savoring from this past year that is likely to go away or end when this pandemic time is over? 

2) With all you've let go of this past year, what has it made room for? 

1) What has been the biggest blessing of this time? What do you want to take with you into the new year?