Dance by the Light of the Moon

by Nina Fondiller Woldin

Did you look up at the sky last Friday night and see that spectacular orange moon?

While science explains its striking color, the moon has always sparked deep spiritual reflection. (And “reflection” is the perfect word, since moonbeams are just the moon reflecting the sun’s light!)

Photo: Henry Fieldston

In fact, the moon teaches us three powerful Jewish lessons about life, growth, and freedom:

1. Your Soul is Your Spotlight
Jewish texts find beautiful symbolism in how the moon shines. Reflecting a brighter light does not diminish our own capacity to shine.

The great Tzfat kabbalist Rabbi Moshe Cordovero (1522–1570) wrote about this in his book Pardes Rimonim. He explained that just as the moon reflects the sun, our physical bodies have no light of their own—they simply reflect the light of our soul. When we ignite our inner flame through study, that spiritual energy reflects outward into our physical actions and avodah (divine service).

2. Setbacks are Part of the Cycle
The monthly waxing and waning of the moon mirrors our own winding path of personal growth. We all experience times when we feel diminished, but the moon reminds us that setbacks are temporary. We always have the chance to grow whole again.

3. Time is a Gift of Freedom
According to the commentator Rashi, the very first commandment given to the Jewish people as they left Egypt was to track time by the moon. As slaves, they never owned their time. Managing a calendar was their first taste of true independence. When life feels rushed, the moon reminds us that having the autonomy to schedule our days is a freedom we should never take for granted.

Join the Circle
With these reflections in mind, I invite you to join me tomorrow night to reflect, shine, and spiritually dance by the light of the moon!

• When: Tuesday, August 4 at 7:30 PM ET
• Where: Online via Zoom

Click Here to Register Now

Nina is the Managing Director of Chai Mitzvah, and has worked in Jewish education for decades, creating student materials and programs for all ages, pre-K – adult. Her work has been published by Behrman House, Ktav, Kar Ben Publishing, Addison Wesley and Grolier. She created one of the first online Jewish education resource centers, Yourpage.org, which became part of Jewish National Fund’s website in 2003.