A War Widow's Blessing for the Trees
by Hadas Levinshtern in translation
Hadas, whose husband Elisha fell in the early months of the war, has been offering deep, poignant words of encouragement, faith, and strength, since the very day her husband was killed. This is what she wrote about saying the Blessing for the Trees this year: On the one hand, It’s not possible to bless. How can I say “Who has left nothing lacking from His world”? There is lack. There is lack. So much is lacking. Lacking for me in Your world, Master of the Universe. For four months now, since Rosh Chodesh Tevet, the most beautiful creation, is lacking for me. On a communal level, lack. And on a personal level, lack. And the hostages, lack. And on the other hand, How can I not make the blessing? So much beauty reveals itself around us Nature shakes off its slumber and returns to bloom in all its splendor So much grace, and light, and hope, and heart And glorious creations And magnificent trees For people to enjoy
