I LOVE officiating weddings in November, which coincides with the Hebrew month of Cheshvan. November, you say? Come on - its cold and dark in November. True! But weddings in November feel like the couple has given us a gift. Cheshvan is a month without any Jewish holidays other than Shabbat. And you know how it is with November: the days get shorter and darker, the news headlines continue to unfold in painful ways, and even though Target has their aisles stocked for Christmas in September, it feels like the light that we all crave is really, really far away from us.
It’s considered a Mitzvah – a righteous obligation – to rejoice with beloveds at the wedding canopy. So when a couple gets married in November (and honestly anytime between now and February), it makes their love and joy feel so much more radiant. In a time without much light, they become the light.
The Baal Shem Tov, a 17th century rabbi considered to be the founder of Hasidic Judaism, taught similarly: "From every human being there rises a light that reaches straight to heaven. And when two souls that are destined to be together find each other, their streams of light flow together and a single brighter light goes forth from their united being."
I first encountered this Baal Shem Tov text when my brother got married in 2010, and it’s stayed with me ever since. People can embody the light we all seek. Whether they are beloveds or individuals, who are the people who bring you light when its dark? What is the light within you (you know, like laughter, creativity, optimism) that you can focus on in the dark of winter? Not sure? If you just can’t find the light right now, go get yourself a candle and some matches. Strike up some light yourself.
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