By Mindy Ribner

Mindy Ribner, who grew up in Albany, writes books on Jewish spirituality and teaches meditation. melindaribner.com

 

The days are getting shorter and the nights longer. The month of Kislev is one of the darkest times of the year physically, yet, the month of Kislev is a time of expansiveness, travel, and going forward in life. The energy of Kislev is about actualizing dreams and visions with trust and faith. This is a month of miracles and redemption. It is the time to go for what we really want. We can take risks this month because Kislev is a time of deepening faith and trust in God, a time of greater clarity and courage.

This year, Kislev corresponds to  Dec. 1-30.  Chanukah starts this year on Dec. 25.

The energy of Kislev is shaped by Chanukah, the holiday of miracles that occurs at the end of the month, the darkest time of the year. It was not logical that a small group of Jews would be able to defeat the vast and powerful Greek armies. The holiday of Chanukah reminds the Jewish people that we live on the level of miracles. The existence of our beautiful Jewish state of Israel with all its accomplishments, and with so many foes is a modern testament to the power of miracles. Even today in the midst of so much war against our little homeland, we see many large and small miracles daily.

 

Beyond intellect

Kislev is the month to leave the shackles of the limiting rational Greek mind and open to greater faith. When we are limited by the mind we are always tied to what is known and familiar. We seek to understand why and how. Faith by definition is beyond the reasoning powers of the month. Faith enables us to be present, to not dwell in the past or worry about the future but to live moment to moment surrendered, with trust and fearlessness. It is faith, not the mind, that opens us to new possibilities and new dimension, enabling us to go forward in ways that we could not do solely on our own.

As we deepen our faith this month, we come to understand and more importantly accept that what is happening in our lives and in the world is for our benefit and growth, even if it may be very challenging, seemingly disagreeable and uncomfortable. Nothing is an accident in our personal lives and in the collective.

 

See the hand

To believe that everything is happening randomly by chance or due to the free will of human beings is to not believe in God. When we can see the Divine Hand in what is happening in our lives, we are happier, we are spiritually aligned, we accept life more peacefully and we grow spiritually through the challenges we face more easily. Wonderful and even miraculous opportunities may emerge unexpectedly this month to take us forward.

 

Affirmations for Kislev

  • I accept that what is happening in my life is an unfoldment of Divine Will, It may not be what I thought I wanted but I trust in God that I am where I am supposed to be right now and what is happening to me is what is for my benefit.
  • I trust in God that I will be guided and it will be clear to me what my next steps forward will be for my growth and happiness.
  • I accept that God is in charge of the World. Hashem Melech. This does not mean that I am passive, no ultimately I am asked to be morally clear, discerning, and empowered to align, embody and advocate for what is good and true as I am guided with the opportunities available to me in my life right now.