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B"H
Friday, Shevat 3, 5772 / January 27, 2012
Of the many mitzvot in this week’s Parasha, Bo, we find the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh. Two weeks before the Exodus, G-d commanded the Jewish people to observe the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh. "And the L-rd spoke to Moshe and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying: 'This month (Nissan) shall be to you the beginning of months; It shall be to you the first of the months of the year."
Rosh Chodesh is celebrated each month on the day when the moon starts its cycle of re-appearance. From Rosh Chodesh on, the moon becomes visible again and will be getting fuller each night. In honor of the Exodus, which took place in the month of Nissan, G-d set the month of Nissan as the first month of all months of the year.
Our sages explain that the month of Nissan, the month in which G-d took the Jewish people out of Egypt, symbolizes G-d’s governing the world through a force which is higher than nature. It represents G-d’s ruling the world in a measure which is higher than nature. Indeed, the name of the month, Nissan, comes from the word “Nes” which means, “miracle.”
By commanding the Jewish people to count the months, beginning from Nissan, G-d teaches us that our national existence transcends the laws of nature and falls under the laws of miracles. This is the secret of Jewish survival to this very day! The knowledge that our existence is not governed by nature has helped us survive against all “natural” odds.
The Hebrew calendar is based on a lunar cycle. The reappearance of the moon at each monthly cycle is called "Molad," when the moon is "reborn."
Originally, Rosh Chodesh was established after two witnesses came to the High Court (Sanhederin) and testified that they saw the new moon. After the destruction of the Holy Temple and the abolishment of the High Court, the Hebrew calendar was established by calculation. With the coming of Moshiach and the rebuilding of the Holy Temple, the Sanhederin will, once again, be the ones to declare Rosh Chodesh as before.
Q. Why was the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh so important to the Jewish people that G-d gave it to them even before the Exodus?
A. Time and again, down to our present day and age, the Jewish nation has gone through many cycles. At times it appeared as though we were near extinction; yet like the moon, we came back to shine again. The mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh, which is on the day when the moon becomes visible again, gives us hope and confidence that the Jewish people will survive and overcome all adversities.
Q. On the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh, we recite a special prayer for the ultimate redemption with Moshiach. What is the connection between the prayer for "redemption" and the blessing of Rosh Chodesh?
A. The mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh was given to the Jewish people in Egypt as a prelude to their redemption. Similarly, as we perform this mitzvah we pray that we too should merit the final redemption very soon. Amen
SHABBAT SHALOM
Montreal candle lighting time: 4:36 / Shabbat ends: 5:42
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