The Confluence of Sacred Times

| Written by Rabbi Arthur Waskow ... in October 2005 Both the Muslim and Jewish calendars are based on lunar "moonths," but the two traditions treat these months in different ways. Seven times in a 19-year cycle, the Jewish calendar adds an additional lunar "leap month" to bring the calendar back into the rhythm of a solar year. Counting from the month of spring, in which Passover occurs, the seventh month in the Jewish calendar is Tishrei - a sabbatical month in which every phase of the moon is honored through a unique festival: Rosh Hashanah at the new moon, Yom Kippur on the tenth day, Sukkot at the full moon, and Sh'mini Atzeret/ Simchat Torah at the waning of the moon. As a result of the constant solar readjustment, Tishrei always occurs in the fall. Since the Muslim calendar is purely lunar, the sacred month of Ramadan moves round the year from season to season. It occasionally, but rarely, coincides with the Jewish sacred month of Tishrei. In the years 2005, 2006, and 2007 of the Western calendar, the two months do coincide. (During 2008, the Jewish calendar adds its "leap month," and the paths of Ramadan and Tishrei then diverge for many years.) In 2005, Tishrei and Ramadan begin with the new moon on October 3-4. Other sacred times also coincide with those days. October 4 is the saint's day of St. Francis of Assisi, known as a proponent of peace and lovingkindness toward all human cultures and all life-forms on earth. October 2 is the birthday of Mohandas Gandhi. And because it is the first Sunday in October, October 2 is also, for Protestant Christians, Worldwide Communion Sunday. Yom Kippur falls on October 13. Since every day of ramadan is a fast day, that day both Jews and Muslims will be fasting. And October 13 is for Hindus Vijayadashami (the tenth day of victory). It comes after Navarathri (nine nights) where many fast, and others have religious observances of various sorts. Although the religious story is filled with images of war and victory (on the 10th day), it is often described as a spiritual struggle similar to jihad (in its proper meaning). Also for Buddhists, October 13 falls within a period of reflection or retreat called Vassa (rainy season). (It is sometimes called the Buddhist "Lent.") Oct. 18 is the full moon day on which this season ends, and is called Pavarana day in the Theravada tradition. At a moment in history when the world is experiencing an upsurge in religious hostility and war, when the blood-streaked strands in the fabrics of many religious traditions seem to win more attention than the peaceful teachings at the heart of all of them, the confluence of these dates seems a gift from God: Can we draw upon this gift to act in ways that honors the best in all our traditions and that reconnects them all with that Unity that calls us toward making peace, seeking justice, healing the earth?