Originally posted on August 23, 2017
By Rachel Tali Kaplan
water and music are healing
to immerse
and
be immersed
surrounded
enveloped
both mediums
allow me
to loose myself
release
into the vastness
of the whole
only to find myself
again
and
again
in the finite
in the water’s refreshing coolness
in a chord that resonates with my soul
mikvehs and music
vessels and instruments
holding and upholding
renewing and creating anew
plunging into the mikveh
covering
every
single
part
of my body
i can let go
breathing
under water
in the purifying quiet
coming up for air
i am back
for a moment
in
the rest
of the world
only to submerge
myself
again
and
again
this is the rejuvenating melody of immersion
when i listen to music
or
sing
alone or with others
with strangers or with loved ones
i dive
vulnerably
humbly
heart first
into
creativity
connection
expression
words or wordless
new or unknown
in tune or out
the ebb and flow
through space and time
notes and noticing
feeling all the feelings
wash over me
again
and
again
this is the healing journey of song
we all
need
healing
in one way
or
another
listen
to
the knocking
in
your own heart
the water
and
the music
are here
to hold you
There’s still time to register for Knocking at Our Hearts. Prepare your whole self – body and soul – for the High Holidays with Mayyim Hayyim and Joey Weisenberg!
Rachel Tali Kaplan is a rabbinical school student at Hebrew College and strives to cultivate Jewish community that is as welcoming as it is meaningful. Rachel holds a BA in psychology from Grinnell College and began her career path as an organic vegetable farmer and educator. Rachel loves putting her hands in the dirt, cooking, crafting, running, practicing yoga and back porch Shabbat hammock naps.