Shabbat Rosh Hodesh Cheshvan

B'H

This shabbat is a rather special shabbat. It is Shabbat Rosh Hodesh Cheshvan. After the month of Tishri where our spiritual beings are renewed and invigorated by chag after chag with the high point of Yom Kippur, it is sort of strange to settle into the mundanity of the normal seven day cycle. But we need this collapse back into routine. It allows us to catch our breath until Pesach and we prepare for that by starting our cleaning around Purim.

Shabbes Comes

Shabbes comes, but once a week
We are busy bees for six days
Doing what we have to do
To fulfil our material needs
We scurry this way and that to seek
To fill the cupboards and tables true,
Some of us study Torah all day
And others do a little study as
We all work hard with our hands
Or minds and help
To build and create
Our Jewish homes to make
Them pure and to do mitzvot in many ways
But suddenly the hurry and worry starts to slow down
As the sun sinks low
It dyes the rolling full skirts of the clouds' gowns
Tinted hues galore of fiery grace
The world slows and enters another phrase
Another dimension in time and space.
'Shalom, Shalom, shabbat shalom' chitter the birds
As they settle their heads under neat wings
pressed to their sides,
'Stop WORK, STOP!' screech the galahs
Soaring above the parks and gums.
The magpies's song breaks out
Just before the sun dips down
Below the horizon
A rolling melody in celebration of
The day of rest
Testifying to the beauty of this world
Which G-D has given to us for safe keeping.