The name Kislev derives from the Hebrew word, kesel (כֶּסֶל), which means trust. Being one of the darkest months of the year, it makes sense that in it's name there would be a spark of hope. Whether it be trusting others, trusting ourselves or trusting G!d, this month challenges us to tap into that space so that we can let go of fear and follow are dreams with courage and confidence.
The zodiac of Kislev is often translated as both Bow and Rainbow because the Hebrew word Keshet means both! What is the Hebrew language trying to communicate by using the same word to represent both war and peace? To answer this question, we have to look back at the first time a rainbow is mentioned in the Torah. After Noah's Flood (that happened last month), G!d made a rainbow (this month) appear in the sky and promised to never flood the earth again. This rainbow, or bow, was pointed away from humanity protecting them from destruction. The bow, our symbol of war, transformed into a rainbow, a symbol of peace. How can we transform certain traits or actions of ours into instruments of peace?
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