Birchat HaChamah Is Every Day
I love the spring feeling of here comes the sunlight. Based on what I hear and see this affinity for daylight seems ubiquitously human to me. Zelda Schneersohn Mishkovsky liked the light. She was not being consciously coy when she responded to Marcia Falk's question about her "golden fish." Zelda genuinely wondered, "Why do people always seek what is complicated? I always intend the simple. By "golden fish" I meant a golden fish." (The Spectacular Difference pg.7)
Zelda writes about light in such a gorgeously poetic manner ("Does the pleasure of a red sunset come from the mortal element in me?" - The Invisible Carmel, The Spectacular Difference pg. 81). And yet, I think she's talking about light.
Zelda married at 36, when her father had already passed on. She cared for her old mother and her ill husband until they both died, her mother after 15 years and Chaim 6 years later. When she was widowed she left Geulah for a place that bordered Sharei Chesed and Rechavia. Her new apartment let in a great deal more light than her previous dwellings. This light brought healing and inspired mystical images of seeing light, by which Zelda meant to say she saw light.
Earlier this year, just as the days were turning darker, I met someone socially. I mentioned that I like it better when the days are longer and lighter and that I think that's normal. The person I was with, who is a certified therapist, felt differently. She believed that if you have a negative reaction to the lack of light during the winter then you have Seasonal Affective Disorder. Conversation over.
I've enjoyed the abundant presence and warmth of the sun these past few days. I came away from work today feeling happy. Spring is in the air, and despite the economy and other realities of life there is light and warmth in my life. Like Zelda I need to open my eyes, poise my pen and capture strange plants, enchanted birds, black roses, and orange butterflies.
Zelda writes about light in such a gorgeously poetic manner ("Does the pleasure of a red sunset come from the mortal element in me?" - The Invisible Carmel, The Spectacular Difference pg. 81). And yet, I think she's talking about light.
Zelda married at 36, when her father had already passed on. She cared for her old mother and her ill husband until they both died, her mother after 15 years and Chaim 6 years later. When she was widowed she left Geulah for a place that bordered Sharei Chesed and Rechavia. Her new apartment let in a great deal more light than her previous dwellings. This light brought healing and inspired mystical images of seeing light, by which Zelda meant to say she saw light.
Earlier this year, just as the days were turning darker, I met someone socially. I mentioned that I like it better when the days are longer and lighter and that I think that's normal. The person I was with, who is a certified therapist, felt differently. She believed that if you have a negative reaction to the lack of light during the winter then you have Seasonal Affective Disorder. Conversation over.
I've enjoyed the abundant presence and warmth of the sun these past few days. I came away from work today feeling happy. Spring is in the air, and despite the economy and other realities of life there is light and warmth in my life. Like Zelda I need to open my eyes, poise my pen and capture strange plants, enchanted birds, black roses, and orange butterflies.
posted by rabbi neil fleischmann @ 5:51 PM
10 Comments:
I'd say your therapist has Conversational Affective Disorder.
Otherwise known as "cad" (or the female equivalent).
Just to clarify, when you say "your therapist" I assume you mean the therapist I mention in my story. This was not a professional meeting, but a social one as I hoped was clear.
Yes. Absolutely clear.
I was tired and went to sleep early, am now up briefly (I hope). I want to reiterate that Zelada has realy made an impression on me. Whatever other details rest in this piece I am pleased with it as an homage to Zelda. I think the picture itself speaks volumes. If anyone is inspired to read and contemplate her works due to these recent postings regarding Zelda - including this one, I will feel quite grateful.
I like everything about this post. Very nice writing; thought-provoking thoughts. I will read me some Zelda.
Thanks Anne. That means a lot to me. I thought this was a rich one from my insides.
I just want to tell you how much I've been appreciating your writing. I sensed this piece was meaningful to you and it's very special writing-wise and content-wise. (And I love Zelda's face!) Your writing is strong and is hanging together really well. I see it not only here, but also in your story of going to Israel with your family, in "VeTechezenah Einenu", in your latest, "Things Grow New", in general. Lovely! The cadence I hear is lovely.
I appreciate also the influence you have on me and my writing by touching things off for me, spurring on ideas, thoughts, novel ways of looking at things.
Thank you for peaking my interest in the poets you are mentioning. I just wanted to pass on something I learned about Zelda Schneersohn Mishkovsky. Did you know that her first collection of poems didn't appear until 1967 when she was 53?
Maayan
Thank you Maayan. I am running out to meet my father, HSLABW, and just saw this. Your words are very meaningful to me - the appreciation, encouragement, and, and,and. I didn't know that about Zelda. That's a wow. I appreciate your writing as well - am influenced by it and IPOY.
Thank you so much Neil for being P.O.M.
Maayan
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