B"H
Monday, Iyar 1, 5782 (16th day of the Omer)/ May 2, 2022
Happy Rosh Chodesh! Today is the second day Rosh Chodesh of the new month, Iyar - The first day in the new month, Iyar.
When there is only one day Rosh Chodesh then that day is the first day of the new month. However, when there are two days Rosh Chodesh, as this month, the first day Rosh Chodesh is the last day of the outgoing month (Nissan) and the second day Rosh Chodesh is the first day of the new month.
The month of Iyar is significant in Jewish history. King Solomon began the construction of the First Holy Temple in the month of Iyar. The month of Iyar is also significant in that every night of the month we perform the special mitzvah of counting the Omer – Sefirat HaOmer.
Today, Rosh Chodesh Iyar, is the Yartzeit of Rabbi Chaim Vital, who passed away in the year, 5380. Rabbi Chaim Vital was the illustrious student of the great Kabbalist, Rabbi Yitzchak Lurie.
Also, the manna from heaven, which G-d supplied the Jewish people during their stay in the desert, began in Iyar. It continued forty years, until they were ready to go into the Promised Land.
Our sages say that the four letter which make up the name Iyar is an acronym for the Hebrew words, “I, G-d, am your healer.” We pray that all those who need a Refuah Shleimah, should be blessed with a complete and speedy recovery in this month. Amen.
This Shabbat we will recite the second chapter of Pirkei Avot (Chapters of our Fathers). In the beginning of the chapter our sages give us the following advice: “Contemplate three things and you will not come into the clutches of sin: Know what is above you; an eye which sees, an ear that hears, and all your deeds are written and recorded in a Book.”
“Know what is above you; an eye which sees, an ear that hears.” A wagon driver was driving a rabbi from one city to the next. As he drove by a field, he noticed bales of hay scattered in the field. Looking around and not seeing anyone, he decided to help himself to some of the hay.
He stopped the wagon and instructed the rabbi to keep his eyes and ears open; “As soon as you see anyone watching, give me a warning immediately.” The driver rushed into the field for some hay.
Suddenly the rabbi shouted, “Someone is watching! Someone is watching!” Startled, the driver dropped the hay, ran back and quickly drove off. A safe distance away, he turned to the rabbi and asked, “Are you sure someone was watching?”
The rabbi pointed toward heaven and said: “I’m positive! Someone was watching!”
HAVE A GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY AND WONDERFUL CHODESH-MONTH