Judith Golden / Middot Nafshi - Havdalah Rosh Chodesh

Havdalah Rosh Hodesh

by Judith Golden

The Sabbath ends
The New Month begins
A continuing cycle
Of work and rest
Of renewal and renewed effort

The sun goes down
Reluctantly we release this day of delight
Of inward focus,
if we have taken the time to pause
Of celebration of the awe of creation,
if we have taken the time to reflect
Of connection with ourselves, with others, and with God,
if we have taken the time to reach out
For the opportunities missed,
we set ourselves to reach for them in the days to come

The moon rises
We welcome its thin sliver of light
Shining possibilities on our coming month
For service as we shine our light
on the people and causes dear to our heart
For expansion as our light grows to fullness
through meeting challenges in our endeavors
For receiving as the light of well tended relationships and tasks
embraces us, nourishing our souls

The sun goes down
The moon rises
A continuing cycle
Of work and rest
Of renewal and renewed effort
A day ends, a new day dawns
Let us choose joy.