Welcoming the Hebrew Month at Coastal Roots Farm
By Cantor Rebecca Joy Fletcher, Director of Jewish Life
Cheshvan and the Jewish Ecological Calendar
At Coastal Roots Farm, we believe that Jewish time and ecological awareness are deeply intertwined. Our monthly blog series, New Moon Musings, honors each Rosh Chodesh—the new moon that marks a new month in the Jewish lunar calendar. As the moon renews, so do we, anchored in ancient cycles, guided by nature’s wisdom, and open to spiritual reflection.
In the week of October 20th, we welcome the Hebrew month of Cheshvan—a time for quiet, reflection, and the steady unfolding of sacred learning.
What Happens in the Month of Cheshvan?
After the rich spiritual intensity of Tishrei—with Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah—Cheshvan arrives without a single holiday. Because of this, it’s sometimes called Mar Cheshvan, or “bitter Cheshvan.” But here at the Farm, we see this absence as a gift: a rare invitation to pause, exhale, and turn inward.
This spaciousness gives us the chance to deepen one of Judaism’s most enduring and grounding practices: Torah study.
Cheshvan and Torah: Sacred Study, Earth-Based Wisdom
At Coastal Roots Farm, we practice earth-based Judaism—a way of living that finds holiness in the soil, in food justice, and in the natural cycles that surround us. We believe Torah lives not only in scrolls and sacred texts, but also in seeds, compost, and the turning of the seasons.
Still, there is unique nourishment in the more traditional forms of Torah study. When we speak of “Torah,” we mean not only the Five Books of Moses, but the vast web of Jewish wisdom that has grown through generations: Midrash, Talmud, Kabbalah, feminist theology, and contemporary commentary.
As our sages taught:
“Turn it over and turn it over, for everything is in it.” (Pirkei Avot 5:22)
So, this month, why not turn Torah over—and turn it into your life?
Accessible Ways to Study Torah This Month
Whether you’re new to Jewish learning or a lifelong student, here are some accessible, inspiring resources to explore during Cheshvan:
- The Farm’s Earth Based Judaism Qigong & Psalms Series – Ground body and spirit on the Farm Sundays, October 26, November 2 & 9.
- Institute for Jewish Spirituality – Mindfulness-based online classes that integrate text study with spiritual practice. These people are top notch!
- Rabbi Jared Gellert’s classes – Beautiful teachings rooted in earth-based Jewish tradition. This man really knows his stuff.
- SVARA’s Mishnah Collective – A radically inclusive way to begin learning Talmud, open to learners of all backgrounds. LGBTQ+ friendly, whip-smart, and funny.
- Beit Kohenet’s Beit Midrash – Offers mythic, mystical, and feminist Torah study, deeply connected to earth and embodiment.
- My Jewish Learning Courses – A wide range of beginner-friendly classes on Jewish texts, holidays, history, and more
- Dor Chadash monthly Torah study – in person in La Jolla, taught by Rabbi Mike Rothbaum.
And remember: Torah lives outside, too. The tradition calls Torah a “Tree of Life to those who hold fast to it.” Like a tree, Torah has deep roots and wide branches. It grows both in books and in gardens. It shelters us in prayer and surprises us in the compost pile.
So, whether you find yourself cracking open a sacred text or walking mindfully through the fields at Coastal Roots Farm, know that you’re engaging in Torah study.
Holding Onto Torah: Wisdom for Today
This Cheshvan, may we embrace the quiet. Let it be a time to study, to listen, and to root ourselves in enduring wisdom. In a world filled with noise and urgency, Torah offers grounding. Whether in the written word or in the whisper of wind through trees, Torah calls us to presence, purpose, and hope.
Let’s hold onto Torah—together.
