B"H
Friday, Kislev 1, 5782 / November 5, 2021
Today is Rosh Chodesh Kislev – the first day of the month, Kislev. Kislev is the third month of the year, when counting from Rosh Hashana. It is the ninth month when counting from Nissan.
The Hebrew calendar has been set in a way that certain months always have one day Rosh Chodesh and some two days. The month of Kislev, however, varies. In some years, Kislev has one day Rosh Chodesh, as this year, and in some years two days Rosh Chodesh.
The holiday of Chanukah is always on the 25th day in Kislev, in the Hebrew calendar. On the civil calendar, this year Chanukah begins, Sunday night, November 28.
Each month, about a week after Rosh Chodesh, when the "New Moon" is visible again, we recite a special prayer and blessing called, "Kidush Levanah" - "Sanctification of the Moon." This prayer is said outdoors on a clear night when the moon is visible. It is preferable to say this prayer at the conclusion of Shabbat (Motzaei Shabbat).
Q. Why is the "Kidush Levanah" - "Sanctification of the Moon" recited at the conclusion of Shabbat?
A. One reason is that due to the importance of this prayer, we recite it at the end of Shabbat, while we are still dressed in our festive Shabbat clothes.
Another reason: The mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh, is a sign of encouragement to the Jewish people. Just as the moon reappears on Rosh Chodesh after being invisible at the end of the month, so too, will the Jewish people, in the end, become rejuvenated and strong and have our Holy Temple back, no matter what adversary we may experience during the exile years.
The Holy Temple was destroyed on a Saturday night. Thus, on Saturday night, the time when we lost our Holy Temple, we recite the “Kidush Levanah” prayer, proclaiming our faith in the coming of Moshiach and the rebuilding of the Holy Temple. May it be speedily in our days. Amen.
In this week's Parsha, Toldot, the Torah tells us that Yitzchak (Isaac) called Esau and said to him, "I am old, I do not know the day of my death." Yitzchak asks Esau to go hunting and bring him food, "so that I may bless you before I die." Rivkah, who knew the true character of her son Esau, wanted Yaakov to receive the special blessings. She prepared special food and instructed Yaakov to dress in Esau's clothes so Yitzchak may think he is Esau and receive his father's blessings. Yaakov indeed received his father’s blessings.
Q. Yitzchak said, "I do not know the day of my death." Why doesn’t one know the day of death?
A. According to our sages, G-d did not reveal the day of death in order so that a person will not become depressed as the time of death nears. On the other hand, if a person will know that the time is far in the future, they will postpone repenting and amending their ways, figuring that there is still much time.
The Talmud tells that Rabbi Eliezer instructed his students, "Repent one day before your death!" His students asked him, "How does one know the day of death?" He replied, "Exactly! For this reason you must repent each day of your life!"
SHABBAT SHALOM & A WONDERFUL CHODESH-MONTH
Montreal candle lighting time: 5:17 / Shabbat ends: 6:21