Friday, Tishrei 30, 5778 / October 20, 2017
Today, the 30th of Tishrei, is the first day Rosh Chodesh of the new month Mar-Cheshvan. Shabbat will be the second day Rosh Chodesh, the 1st of Mar-Cheshvan.
Of the months of the year, about half have one day Rosh Chodesh, and half have two days Rosh Chodesh. Mar-Cheshvan always has two days Rosh Chodesh.
Q.What determines if a month has two days or one day Rosh Chodesh?
A.Some months consist of 29 days, while other months have 30 days. When the outgoing month has 29 days, then there is only one day Rosh Chodesh, the first day of the new month. But, when the outgoing month has 30 days, then the last day of the outgoing month (30th day) and the first day of the new month, are both Rosh Chodesh. Because the outgoing month, Tishrei, has 30 days, we celebrate the incoming month, Mar-Cheshvan, with two days Rosh Chodesh.
Q.Is there any connection between the month of Mar Cheshvan and this week’s Parsha, Noach?
A.Yes. The story of the Great Flood, which is recorded in Parshat Noach, began on the 17th day of Mar-Cheshvan. On the 27th of Mar-Cheshvan (365 days later) Noach emerged from the Ark.
At the end of Parshat Noach we read about the birth of Abraham. Although, Noach and Abraham were both righteous people, yet, there was a great difference between them. Our sages explain it with the following parable:
Many people were sitting in a cold room. Two of the people decided they couldn't stand it any more. One person put on a fur coat. Although he was now comfortable, everyone else in the room, was still freezing. The other person decided to get wood and make a fire. He not only warmed himself, but everyone else in the room too.
Noach was similar to the first person. He was righteous, but he didn't go out of his way to call people to repent which would have saved his generation. He didn’t even pray that G-d spare the people. If people asked him the purpose of the Ark, Noach told them, but he didn't do enough to prevent the disaster of the Great Flood. This is the reason the Great Flood is called, "The waters of Noach."
Abraham, by comparison, was different. When G-d wanted to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorra, Abraham prayed that G-d save the people.
The lesson is obvious: It is not enough to think only about ourselves. We have to do our best to help others, for we are called, Children of Abraham, and should feel, responsible for each other.
SHABBAT SHALOM & A WONDERFUL CHODESH-MONTH
Montrealcandle lighting time: 5:42 / Shabbat ends: 6:43