B"H
Monday, Iyar 1, 5779 / May 6, 2019 (16th day of the Omer)
Today is the second day Rosh Chodesh Iyar. During the morning service, we recite the Hallel. We add Psalm 104. We read the special Torah reading and pray the special Musaf service for Rosh Chodesh.
Q. Why is the Musaf service recited only on Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh and holidays?
A. "Musaf" means "additional." Every day of the year, two daily sacrifices, called “Korban Tamid” were offered in the Temple - one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
The "Tamid" of the morning was the first sacrifice of the day, while the "Tamid" of the afternoon was the final sacrifice of the day. The daily Shacharit and the afternoon Mincha prayers correspond to these two sacrifices.
On Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh and holidays an "additional" special "Musaf" sacrifice was offered in the Temple. As a result, on these days, we too add an "additional" - Musaf prayer.
Rosh Chodesh Iyar, two weeks after the Exodus, G-d gave the Jewish people the mitzvah of Shabbat. Thus, Shabbat is one of the few mitzvot which, although found in the Ten Commandments, was actually given before.
On Rosh Chodesh Iyar, King Solomon began building the first Holy Temple. It took seven years to complete and stood for 410 years before it was destroyed by the Babylonians.
The construction of the Second Temple began in Iyar. It stood for 420 years.
Three additional significant events occurred in the desert during the month of Iyar, one month after the Exodus.
1) The manna from heaven began in the month of Iyar. It sustained the Jewish people during their 40 year stay in the desert. Each day, except for Shabbat, the manna would come from heaven. In this way, the people of Israel learned that their sustenance was totally dependent upon G-d.
2) The water which flowed from the rock and accompanied the Jewish people during their travels in the desert began in Iyar.
3) The war with the nation of Amalek took place in Iyar.
The month of Iyar is also unique for the mitzvah of counting the Omer which is performed each night during the entire month.
Our sages say that the month of Iyar is especially significant for "Refuah" - "healing." The four letters which spell Iyar (aleph, yud, yud, resh) are an acronym for the words of the Torah "Ani Hashem Rofecha" - "I am the L-rd Who heals you."
May G-d send His blessings of Refuah Shleimah - a complete and full healing to all who need the blessing of healing. Our prayers are with our brothers and sister in the Holy Land. May G-d protect them and bring the blessings of peace upon them.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL DAY & WONDERFUL CHODESH-MONTH