B"H
Friday, Menachem Av 22, 5778 / August 3, 2018
On the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh, we bless the new month, which begins with Rosh Chodesh. This blessing is recited by the cantor and congregation while standing.
On this Shabbat, Parshat Eikev, after the Torah and Haftorah readings, we will recite the special prayer for the blessing of the New Hebrew month, Elul. Rosh Chodesh Elul will be next Shabbat (Aug. 11) & Sunday (Aug. 12).
In the Rosh Chodesh blessing we recite the following, “May He Who performed miracles for our fathers and redeemed them from slavery to freedom, speedily redeem us and gather our dispersed people from the four corners of the earth, uniting all Israel; and let us say, Amen. Then the day of Rosh Chodesh is announced.
Q. What is the reason for the practice to bless the new month on the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh?
A. In the days of the Holy Temple, Rosh Chodesh was established by the High Court in Jerusalem. After two witnesses gave testimony that they saw the reappearance of the new moon, the High Court, comprised of seventy one judges, established that day to be Rosh Chodesh. This procedure was repeated every Rosh Chodesh. Messengers were then sent out throughout all of Israel to inform the people which day was Rosh Chodesh.
It was very important to know when Rosh Chodesh was, especially in the month of Nissan, as the 15th day of the month is Pesach, and the month of Tishrei when we celebrate the holidays of Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.
At the time of the destruction of the Temple, when the High Court was dispersed, the above process was not practiced anymore and the Hebrew calendar was established for all generations.
Since then, we maintained the tradition of blessing and announcing the day of Rosh Chodesh to remember the custom of the days of the Temple, when Rosh Chodesh was announced by the High Court. We do this in synagogue on Shabbat, as it is a time when many people are in Shul and thus it has more publicity.
“Speedily redeem us and gather our dispersed people from the four corners of the earth, uniting all Israel…” This alludes to the days of Moshiach, when the Holy Temple will be rebuilt. Then we will again go back to the old system when the High Court will establish Rosh Chodesh each month. May it be speedily in our days. Amen.
SHABBAT SHALOM
Montrealcandle lighting time: 8:01 / Shabbat ends: 9:10