The creek is running high and fast, schools are out, and that fierce and beautiful Colorado sunshine and dry heat is upon us, so it must be summer! For most of us, summer is about being outside, playing and having fun; relaxing into a different way of being and opening ourselves to the warmth and excitement of the season. Many of us are looking forward to vacations and so much closes down for the summer, which all adds to that feeling of slowing down and chilling out!

Even the Jewish calendar gives us a break before the intensity of the High Holidays, or does it? Well, sort of, but not entirely. It is true that there are no major Festivals, but there are nevertheless some important days that seem to belie this ecstatic summer mood. They are not days of celebration and frivolity, but rather of sadness and introspection. Rather than cold beer and chilled watermelon, our tradition seems to point us to sombre fasting, at least for part of the summer. This three week period that begins with the fast of the Seventeenth of Tammuz and culminates with the darkest day on the Jewish calendar at the brightest time – Tisha b'Av, commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples, as well as many other tragedies throughout Jewish history. This three week period, which spans much of July this year, is a time of mourning and remembrance that is in stark contrast with our joyful, open and playful experiencing of the outdoors. So, is there a way to observe some of this solemnity and still have our summer fun?

In the cycle of the Torah, this time of year is connected to a forty day period where Moses is up the mountain again, getting to know the true essence of God, having reascended after angrily breaking the first set of tablets. Amidst all of the summer socializing, perhaps there is wisdom in taking some solitary time to reflect on who I am and who I want to be in the New Year. We could even climb a mountain to do it! Introspection can certainly be a healthy balance to non-stop partying.