In my naming of the moons Tevet is the Moon of Clarity. Tevet is a month to seek clarity on our path; even though the days are still short and the nights are long and dark.
We enter Tevet as we light the final candles of Hanukkah, and regardless of if you light your menorah Hillel-style or Shammai-style the light, darkness, and shadows offer opportunity for clarity.
Tevet also brings us to the secular new year, which is moment to gain clarity on our goals or check in on commitments that we made during the Days of Awe.
The soul trait for the month of Tevet is Sakranut (סקרנות) Curiosity. This year, I am thinking a lot about about a quote from one of my favorite mussar books:
Replace anger with tender curiosity and
re-experience the relationship.In Search of the Holy Life: Rediscovering the Kabbalistic Roots of Mussar
by Ira Stone
Every time I think our world can’t become more polarized, something happens that seems to only take us a layer deeper into losing any sense of consensual, shared reality. I continue to pray for peace in Israel/Palestine and a true healing for those directly impacted. Proving my point - some will immediately feel the need to message me that I didn’t say the right thing or even unfollow/unsubscribe.
I love this mussar teaching about curiosity because it’s a reminder of the power of curiosity. When we are so angry we can’t get curious about why someone else doesn’t share our anger — then our anger is probably no longer serving us. Maybe not. Maybe you just got angry?
As I light the final lights of my menorah, I hope to be reigniting not only my own capacity to be curious, but the wider world’s
Tevet Resources
Tevet: Overview
Moon: Clarity
Soul Trait: Sakranut (סקרנות) Curiosity
Symbol: Candles
Tribe: Dan
Tarot: Devil
Netivah: Doreshet (דורשת) Seeker
Looking Ahead to Shevat
Shevat: Overview
Moon: Centering
Soul Trait: Ahavah (אהבה) Love
Symbol: Cups
Tribe: Asher
Tarot: Star
Netivah: Ohevet (אוהבת) Lover
Find source citations for correspondences and so much more.
MAKING
Yes, you can now pre-order the Netivot Wisdom Oracle if you missed the Kickstarter. But I want to talk about this new awesome silliness.
Memunim (ממונים) are elemental beings mentioned in Jewish mythology and magickal texts. Sometimes they are considered a class of angels. Each is appointed to watch over a very specific aspect of air, land, water, time, and place, such as a blade of grass. I’ve started compiling sources on Sefaria.org AND RK’Jill Hammer is teaching a class in January called “Field Guide to the Jewish Otherworld,” and I have confirmation that she will be covering memunim in that class.
In my telling, each memuneh (singular), carries a small scroll tucked in their apron that holds their sacred assignment. On the outside, you will see the category of their care, but what is on the inside is just for them.
I first started created felt softies of these cuties and hit a total road block. So, I decided to work with them as a practice to improve my illustration skills. And you totally know what’s coming next right?
Stickers? YES!!! And… they come with collector cards, so you can use the sticker and keep a little trading card with an image of the memuneh on the front and an explanation about memunim on the back.
These are a limited run, so head over to devotaj.com to scoop yours up! I’m offering them individually and as a special set. And of course, Moonbeam glows in the dark and the rest have special “pixie dust” sparkle auras.
Excited to learn that Jewish elementals exist or just about my adorable interpretations? There’s a blessing for that.
ברוכה את שכינה אלותינו רוח העולם שכך לה בעולמה
B’rucha At Shekhinah, Eloteinu Ruach haOlam, Shekach b’Olamah.
Blessed are you, Holy One, Whose Presence Fills Creation Ensuring Such as These are in Your World.
MUSSAR
Date: Sunday 12/17/2023
Time: 3-4:30pm ET
Where: Register for Zoom Link
Cost: None, but donations gratefully accepted
The soul trait that corresponds with Tevet, in the Kesharim K’doshim approach to mussar, Sakranut (סקרנות) Curiosity.
There is no cost to attend Soul Trait Studio, but registration is required each month — but now you can register for several months in advance.
Register and find upcoming schedule at devotaj.com/soultraitstudio
And if you can’t attend in real time, all registrants also receive the recording the following day. And you can add your thoughts and experiences on the monthly Practice Guide (posted the day of each session).
You can also purchase a copy of my ebook: Introduction to Mussar Practice.
MAGICK
Resources & Rituals
Just a reminder that I’m in the process of moving the Wheel of the Year resources from devotaj.com to devotaj.substack.com, which will become the unified home for all my writing.
Here’s a few of the relevant and recent additions to the Resources & Rituals on Substack that don’t fit cleanly into Making, Mussar, or Magick. Most of these are only for premium subscribers, but all have a free preview.
Hanukkah Haggadah (available for all in the shop): Redesigned and updated for 5784
» » » Explore all posts about Tevet « « «
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Watch | Listen | Read
Key: Shows & Movies 📺 | Books 📚 | Articles 📄 | Music 🎼 | Podcast 🎙
🎼 Soul & Science by Nickodemus (Spotify | Bandcamp) Nickodemus is amazing cosmic dance music DJ with a world-music foundation. I stumbled across a couple of his songs several years back and totally became a fan. I was so excited when I saw he had a new album!
🎙 Can a Social Media Post Change a Public Opinion (NPR) Great article by Ari Shapiro exploring the impact of posting to social media about issues. It’s a 10-minute listen that is really fascinating.
📚 The Hunger Games Trilogy (Amazon | Bookshop) I’ve decided to do lots of re-reads this year, and for some reason I started with the Hunger Games. Despite the fact I continue to be amazed that these were YA books released by Scholastic, they really hold up.
ICYMI
🎙Episode 6: How monotheistic is the Torah, really? (Polytheism Today with Angela Raincatcher) I had the pleasure of being interviewed on Polytheism Today, as the token monotheist. Regardless of your theism, my dear friend Angela has created a really great podcast exploring modern polytheism and how it functions within America’s wider monotheistic (primarily Christian) culture. Learn more about the podcast and find my episode at https://polytheismtoday.com/ or where ever you get your podcasts.
🎙Episode 117, Ketzirah Lesser - Jewitch Art Priestess on the
Witch Wave with Pam Grossman || Not only did the episode of Polytheism Today come out in Cheshvan, but so did my interview with Pam Grossman on The Witch Wave! I think you all know what a fan I am of Pam’s and that includes her podcast. I. Had COVID when we recorded this, so my voice was extra sexy. Over the hour we talked, we covered really hard issues like Israel/Palestine and really fun things like Jewitch history and sigil making. Find it at witchwavepodcast.com or wherever you get your podcasts.
What are you listening, reading, or watching?
Note: Links to Bookshop.org and Amazon.com contain affiliate code that allows authors to earn a small commission on purchases
Thank you for your note regarding the new month and the concept of memunim. I like the idea that they carry a small scroll containing their unique sacred assignment. Singularity comes to the forefront. I am reminded of malachim, sometimes translated as angels or messengers or avatars, who are Devine beings who present themselves who have a single mission to deliver. I am also reminded of the teaching that says that each of us has a unique mitzvot that is our special task in the broader mission of tikkun olam.