Happy New Month!
As the fledgling Jewish nation was gearing up for an epic exodus, they received their very firstMitzvah (commandment). That of the new moon. Over the course of the month, the moon transitions from a bright sphere to a crescent, finally disappearing, only to begin the cycle again. That moment of rebirth is the New Moon, and that day is the beginning of the Jewish month - in Hebrew; Rosh Chodesh.
The Jewish calendar follows a different course than the Gregorian calendar. The latter is a solar calendar, with solstices and equinoxes, while the former follows the lunar cycle.
The big question is why? "Why is this calendar different than all other calendars"? Why are we sent Googling when the next Jewish Holiday occurs? Why the confusion when it comes to Bar Mitzvahs and Yahrtzeits? (By the way, here is a handy tool to find out your Jewish birthday, the date of a yahrtzeit, or any other date on the calendar). And why was this Mitzvah #1? If you had one message for this young nation, would you choose Jewish astronomy?
The truth is, there is incredible beauty and inspiration in this. While the sun remains a constant source of light, the moon undergoes constant change; phases of growth, decline, disappearance and rebirth.
We navigate according to the moon, not impervious to lapses and failings, yet at the same time, inextinguishable. We have ups and downs, waxing and waning, but like the Moon, the Jewish people have always had the power of revival. In fact, our darkest moments become part of the fabric of our rich history. The trials and tribulations, the twists and turns and the challenges have built our nation's very character.
We celebrate the new month not when the moon is the brightest, but when it has just reappeared, when the potential for growth is greatest.
As we set out into the Passover season to relive the journey out of Egypt, we can look to the moon and realize that we have the ability to constantly change, develop, and shine ever brighter.
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We invite you to relive the Passover experience at our Community Seder on April 10th. Or, if you know of someone who is in need of a Seder, please extend this invitation to them.
No one will be turned away due to lack of funds.
RSVP or sponsor a seat: www.JewishPetaluma.com/
Wishing you a good Shabbos!
Rabbi Dovid Bush
ב"ה