B"H

Monday, Menachem Av 1, 5784 / August 5, 2024

Today is Rosh Chodesh(first day of the new month), Menachem Av, or as it is called in short, Av.   

As on every Rosh Chodesh, we recite the additional prayers of Hallel and Musaf.  We also read the Torah portion about the Rosh Chodesh sacrifices which were brought in the Temple.

The Hebrew names of the months consist of one word (Nissan, Iyar, Sivan, Tammuz, etc,). Only the month of Cheshvan is called Mar-Cheshvan & Av is called Menachem Av. 

Q.   Why was the word Menachem added to the name of this month Av?

A.    The first nine days of the month of Av are days of sadness and mourning.  These are the days in which we mourn the destruction of the two Holy Temples, which were both destroyed on the ninth day in Av.  We fast on the ninth of Av for the destruction of the Temples. 

“Av" in Hebrew means "Father" and “Menachem” means "Comfort."   The word "Menachem" is added as a prayer that G-d, our "Father" in Heaven shall grant us comfort and rebuild the Holy Temple speedily in our days.

In a deeper sense "Menachem Av" can also be translated as "comfort to our Father."  In this context it is we who should be bringing comfort to our Father-in-Heaven.

How do we bring comfort to G-d in Heaven?  This is accomplished through our performance of mitzvot and additional deeds of kindness, which will merit the ultimate redemption and the rebuilding of the Holy Temple.  This will bring comfort ("Menachem Av”) to our Father in Heaven. As a result, during these days we are more generous in helping others, in acts of goodness and kindness and distributing more charity than usual.

The name Menachem Av tells us that in order to find true comfort, it has to be comforting for the Jewish people and comforting for G-d.  This will happen with the coming of Moshiach and the revelation of the third Holy Temple speedily in our days.

Today, Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av, is the yartzeit (day of passing) of Aaron, the high Priest. We read about this in the Torah reading of the past Shabbat.

The Torah tells us that when Aaron passed away ALL of Israel, men and women, cried and mourned him. The reason, say our sages, is because he was a person who, “Loved peace, pursued peace and loved every single person.” Aaron had a special quality of going out of his way to bring peace between husband and wife and between people. When Aaron passed away everyone felt a personal loss. May his memory be a blessing for us all and bring peace to all in this challenging time. Amen.

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY & A HAPPY AND HEALTHY CHODESH-MONTH

UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW.