Shabbat & Separation

Friday, December 30th | 6 Tevet 5783

Happy last Friday of the year!

I really love the timing of Shabbat this week. One more day left of 2022 and it’s a day of rest. Not only is it just a day of rest – we end the year with Havdalah – a ceremony that takes place after sundown on Saturday to separate Shabbat from the rest of the week. This year, Havdalah can also represent the separation of the year of 2022 from the new year of 2023.

The lunar month of Kislev just ended – a month all about finding the light in the darkness. We celebrated Hanukkah – the lighting of the menorah for the external world to see, and tonight we light the Shabbat candles – a lighting for the internal practice of personal rest and restoration. Tomorrow night, we will light the braided Havdalah candle, a combination of internal and external light weaved together. Let these three types of light in Judaism settle in for a minute – thinking about what the internal and external light means to you.

My final offering of 2022 for you is to use this final Shabbat for internal reflection:

• What are the joy moments that filled your year?

• What are the challenges you’ve faced, and how have you overcome them? How are you continuing to overcome those challenges?

The highs and lows exist in every year – acknowledge the happiness and the hardships – and let them be lessons for the future.

As you transition out of Shabbat, and into Havdalah, it’s time to separate your 2022 from 2023.

• What are you choosing to let go of?

• What are you bringing with you?

Maybe you’re letting go of people, places, or moments of sadness. Give yourself permission to let go of whatever dragged you down or held you back this year. Celebrate what was, and create space for elements of surprise, and even more joy in this new year. Even in the darkness, we can find light. Jewish ritual is a continuous reminder that light can be found in the darkness of times.

How will you choose to welcome in the internal and external elements that will lift you up and jumpstart you into an exciting new year?

In the final hours of your 2022, I hope you can let the light of your Shabbat and Havdalah candles spark an amazing celebration of the 2022 version of you and light a fire in honor of growing into an even better and braver 2023 version of you.

I can’t wait to meet the 2023 version of you.

Shabbat Shalom & Happy New Year!

Ethically,

Emily