This month, Menachem Av (Comforting Father), is a time to sink deep into the pain and suffering side of human existence (at least the first 9 days of the month). That we live in a material world, means that we all will experience  pain in our lives.  In a world where there is pain, there must be comfort. This is the meaning in the name of the month: Menachem Av. Yes, this is a hard month. Yes it is full of tragedy and YES we need to be there for one another. While comfort cannot erase pain, it helps us hold space  for both suffering and joy. It is what gives us the energy to continue to work towards making this world a better place so that we can bring Moshiach! And when Moshiach comes, we will no longer need to be comforted as Hashem will, "Wipe away the tears from every face."

Just this past week, the community I live in experienced a tragic loss. I would like to dedicate this email to the soul of Yonim Eliezer Meir ben Tania Chana v' Yehoshua. He was a true lamplighter and definitely brought us many steps closer to living in a redeemed world. We should all continue to be inspired by his love of G!d and people and work to make this world a brighter place.

The tea for this month is cooling and soothing.
It has: Peppermint, Fennel, Rose and Holy Basil

Peppermint | Mentha × piperita

It’s hot this time of year and peppermint helps us keep cool and keep calm. You know that tradition of eating mint after a meal? Well, it’s because she helps with digestion and calming the stomach. This month, there’s lots for the stomach to roll around about, so peppermint might just be what the doctor ordered. She’s also great for reanimating the spirit - just smelling mint get brighten the eyes, something we most certainly need during this time of year.

What animates your spirit?

Fennel | Foeniculum vulgare

What a yummy tasting herb that is also an incredible digestive aid. In some cultures, you just take a handful of fennel seeds after a meal - both for good breath and also for good digestion. She also works wonders for milk production (you’ll notice that she is part of most lactation tea blends). One of the words we use for Hashem is el shaddai, or breasts. Howe beautiful that one of the names of G!d could be breastfeeder! The golden milk, the nectar of life! This month, when we are at our lowest we shouldn’t forget who is the one providing us with the ultimate milk, G!d.

What gives you milk in your day to day life?

Rose | Rosa

Gentle rose, the queen of flowers. Cooling and and astringent. Romantic and fragrant. The month of Av is not only about destruction, it is also about love. Yup, Jewish Valentines Day is this month. It falls on the full moon, and ee call it Tu B’Av - and it is a day of finding your soulmate in a vineyard dressed in white. Dancing in nature, unmarried men would come and find their wives. Sounds fun, right?

How will you bring more love/passion into your life this month?

Holy Basil | Ocimum tenuiflorum

She is one of the most important herbs in Ayurvedic medicine, and I drink a cup of her almost every day! She is a upreme tonic used to treat colds, flu, ulcers, poor digestion, inflammation, diabetes chronic fatigue, depression, arthritis, respiratory distress, bronchitis, asthma, infections, eczema and psoriasis amongst other conditions. In terms of mental health, she is one of the premier herbs to offer to those who are deeply stressed, overwhelmed, anxious and often shut down, tired and anxious.  She lifts the spirits, calms anxiety, improves resiliency, vitality and raises energy levels.  During a month when there is likely to be an added amount of anxiety, you can’t go wrong with this one.

What do you do when you feel anxious? How do you reground?