Nisan reflections

On March 22 at sunset, with the new moon, we mark the beginning of the Jewish month of Nisan.

Rosh Hodesh Nisan

Reflections

A Poem by Melanie Gruenwald

While we are planting seeds

and sweeping corners

liberation taunts

the narrow thoughts that hold me back

Burning

the chametz that weighs me down

the seeds are

planted

green bulbs just peeking above the freshly fallen

snow

Waves knock me down as I rise again

my feet stuck in the murky earth

afraid that if I move too far ahead the past will no longer exist.

Memories

cloudy with hope and wonder

disbelief.

For this time is the first time this moment ever

existed

for me

for you

and I

am floating with my people

across the sea.

Wading into the depth

wishing the waves knock me down

just one more time

so hard I can barely breathe

And yet I rise again

The timbrel still in my hand

A song

Just waiting

For we have lived these moments before

And yet they are each new

Anew

Renewed

And liberation beckons.