Chodesh Shevat 5783: Oil & Water
CHODESH SHEVAT 5783 (23 January – 20 February 2023)
SHEVAT 5783: OIL AND WATER
Chodesh Shevat gives us two liquids synonymous with Torah: oil, and water. The portion of Asher, the Tribe of Chodesh Shevat, overflowed with bounty, supplying olive oil to all the other Tribes as well as to foreigners. Shevat is the month of Aquarius, the “D’li” (water bucket), which draws water from the wells of Torah and serves to all who are thirsty. It’s said that “oil and water” don’t mix, but in the case of Shevat, they co-exist, and one complements the other.
Our sages tell us that for the Temple service, HaShem desired the Kohen Gadol to be like oil, rising to the top in a mixture, someone capable of rising above his humility. The giver of the Torah, on the other hand, is compared to water, which stays beneath the oil. Humility is the characteristic of the giver of Torah.
The Sun sextiles Jupiter/Tzedek on January 24, giving a general lift in confidence and lightening of spirit. Venus/Noga enters Pisces on January 26, beckoning us to meld into undifferentiated One-ness with the Divine. The Full Moon in Leo on Tu b’Shevat, February 5 illuminates our collective responsibility towards Mother Earth and her bounty; now is the time to answer the call to leadership. Mercury/Kochav enters Aquarius on February 11, bringing bright ideas. The Sun conjuncts Saturn/Shabbtai February 16, the last significant contact before Saturn ends his two-and-a-half-year-long transit through Aquarius next month. Soak up all that Aquarian wisdom while you can!
The Sun enters Pisces February 18, and the New Moon in Pisces comes February 19, with Venus sextile Pluto before entering Aries on February 19. We’re empowered to be humble like water as we give over Torah, and to rise like oil above our own humility when we’re serving G*d, accomplishing things far beyond our personal abilities.
