
Strategic thinking, in the Jewish imagination, points towards freedom.
Dear friend,
If you could speak freely, what would you say?
Strategic thinking, in the Jewish imagination, points towards freedom. At the dawn of the Book of Exodus, a new ruler rises, and the stakes reach fever pitch. Yet when Moses speaks before Pharaoh, a man-deity ensconced in courtly manners, his theory of change leads to a fascinating, understated approach. What does Moses seek? Freedom, we know from childhood. But what is his ask of the king? One week off, as a holiday.*
Of course, both parties know what’s at stake. That’s why Pharaoh, when he wavers in the negotiation, insists the Israelites leave behind people and livestock — as collateral. He knows even one week of unmitigated freedom, in Israelite hands, means playing with fire. The nation has grown so numerous, he says. He knows the people have reason to pursue a different world.
One week off, as a holiday — below the surface of the request, historical energy churns.
Tectonic stirring is home to the moon of Shevat: this month, in our Hebrew cycle, life’s energy shifts underground, preparing to emerge in new bloom. This full moon, at the heart of the month, we celebrate the New Year of the Trees. As their orientation turns from deep-winter roots to the above-ground world of the sun, we drink four glasses of wine whose hue transitions from red to white. The days are getting longer again, and before too long our thermometers will start stretching out, too. We’re just one more full moon from Purim, when joy rises into new buds of expression. Then comes Passover, when life insists on bursting free. The fresh air of spring may still feel far on the horizon, but the trees are getting ready right now.
If they could speak freely, what would they say? In their mid-winter calm, here’s what yours truly, at least, hears them whisper:
We have been here.
We have seen emergence before.
Freedom knows its own path.
In a mighty empire’s royal court, mannered Moses speaks to the king.
Meanwhile, in homes across Israelite society, the midwives are letting life live.
In this new month, may the way of life continue revealing itself, working wonders in the process. May the better, more just world we seek be born of strategic engagement, rooted fortitude, and loving presence. May the moon of Shevat summon miracles from the earth for us all.
Hodesh tov — wishing you and yours a month of blessings,
Yaakov
RUACH Executive Director
Let's connect! yaakovgs@ruachhealth.org
* One week off, as a holiday — Moses and Aaron’s official petition, first stated in Exod. 5:1 and 5:3 and maintained throughout negotiations with Pharaoh, is to travel “a distance of three days into the wilderness” to “celebrate a festival” (JPS translation). Reading an equal-length journey back, and one festival day in between, this seven-day interval of freedom is a potent demand precisely for being so reasonable.
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