As we enter the darkest time of the year, we are reminded to create light. Kislev, which translates to pocket of the heart, is a time for us to tap into our inner light through our dreams and the light that connects us to G!d through the lighting of Hanukkah Candles. It says in the Talmud, "The Mitzvah of Hannukah is a single candle for each person and their household." This passage reminds us that every single person is a lamplighter. We all have something to contribute to this world and on Hannukah we participate in lighting our own light and witnessing the light of others. The herbs included are Chamomile, Lavender, Sage and Mint. This aromatic tea is great to drink after dinner.

Chamomile| Matricaria Chamomilla

Calming for the stomach, the organ for the month of Kislev, Chamomile is a gentle friend that works on the Immune, Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Digestive systems. For more on these benefits, click here. During the month of Kislev, we seek to find light in the darkest time of year (the winter solstice always falls in Kislev). We must train ourselves to appreciate even the smallest amount of light. Maybe it’s your evening hot chocolate or a phone call to a far away friend or swimming laps once a week - we must seek out and savor those moments of light. We read in Proverbs 13:25, “ The righteous one eats to the satiety of his soul, but the stomach of the wicked is always lacking.” This winter, rather than focus our energy on that which we don’t have, let’s be grateful for that which we do have and who knows how it will expand. On Hannukah, we celebrate the miracle of a drop of oil lasting not one or two days but eight days. May we learn from that miracle how to take those drops of joy we all experience and water them so that they may GROW!

What in your life seems small but has the potential to grow? How can you grow it?

Sage | Salvia officinalis

Cleansing and refreshing, Sage helps us get rid of the Klippot/Distractions/Mind Mush around us and connect us to our truest essence. She has pungent volatile oils that stimulate the fire of the body (digestive and mental function), something we really need to cultivate during the coldest time of the year. By increasing circulation to the brain, she assists poor vision, mental fatigue and brain fog. Often you will see sage sticks that people use to cleanse a space of negative energy or to cleanse themselves of harmful energy. Whether you drink this in a tea, add some to an herb pillow that you can sniff before bed or make into a stick, her powers of clearing and renewing are palpable. There is an old Jewish tradition of crying as much as you can before going to bed to cleanse your heart and soul so that the dreams we receive are as pure as possible (after all dreams are 1/60th prophecy). Combine that with some sage and the Bedtime Shema and you’ve got yourself a pretty rad evening dream ritual.

What are other ways you cleanse yourself before bed so that you are read to receive whatever the Divine has to offer?

Lavender | Lavandula

One of my absolute favorite herbs, and one of the friendliest, lavender grows everywhere! Well almost everywhere. She likes dry and well drained soils that have full sunshine! She works on the lungs, skin, nerves and digestion. For more on these benefits, click here. The name lavender comes from the latin, to wash, or bathe and in fact one of its most common uses is to clean linen (not only because of its great smell but also because of its antiseptic qualities). You can add a little of her to your cleaning products, your deodorant or your shampoo. She is often used to help folks with anxiety (even Maimonides included her in his herbal blends). The letter of the month, samech ס, means to support. Winter can be a time of increased isolation and anxiety. It is the most yin time (dark, cold, slow, inward) of the year and is an ideal time to reach out to our support systems. The rainbow, the Zodiac of the month, is a reminder of the promise that G!d made to never destroy the world again by flood. “And I will confirm (through the sign of the rainbow) my covenant with you, and no flesh will again be cut off by the waters…and there will not again be a deluge to destroy the earth. (Genesis 9:11).” It’s G!d’s symbol of support and way of reaching out to us humans. May we be blessed to feel G!d’s support this month.

Are you able to ask for help when you need it? Who/What/Where can you count on getting support during the darkest time of the year?

Peppermint | Mentha

Mint is a heart ally and this month Kislev, translates to pocket of the heart. During a time when we are super cold/vulnerable/isolated, mint protects the heart. In the talmud we learn, “ As a remedy for heart pain let him bring three egg bulks of mint …(Gittin 69 b:6).” The tribe for the month of Kislev is Benjamin. When Jacob, Benjamin’s father, blessed him before his passing, he likened him to a wolf, symbolizing Benjamin’s craving for God. In the body, the kidneys are identified as the source of craving. One of the meanings of the name Kislev is kidneys and in Chinese Medicine winter is a time to care for our kidneys. Our lady peppermint is a great kidney tonic (in the form of tea). She helps reduce the risk of kidney disease by ensuring that the filtering devices, called nephrons, work efficiently to remove waste and water. By removing physical waste, we may also be removing emotional waste, as body and mind are intertwined.

What emotional or physical waste are you eager to clean this winter? Are their tools you have to get it squeaky clean?