This week we read Parshas Vayikrah. We also read Parshas Hachodesh, which talks about the mitzvah of sanctifying the new month, beginning with the month of Nissan. In fact, this Shabbos we mark the beginning of the month of Nissan, which is the month in which Passover occurs. Although the Jewish calendar year begins on the first of Tishrai, which is Rosh Hashanah, the months of the year start with Nissan, which is the month in which Passover occurs, being the first month. The Kabbalistic sources describe two stages of the  creation of the world, one in thought and one in actuality, represented by the two different times, Nissan and Tishrai. Without even attempting to delve into that, we do know that the first mitzvah that the Jews were given before they left Egypt was the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh.  Why was this mitzvah so essential that it had to be given to the Jewish people before they could leave Egypt?
 
Rav Avrham Shoor, a famous Rabbi in New York, offered an amazing insight. The word Chodesh, or month, is related to the word Chiddush – or novelty. Rosh Chodesh, when the moon reappears after disappearing, represents the concept of rebirth, or renewal.  The Jews were enslaved in Egypt because their relationship to Hashem became too habitual, without feeling. Their redemption could only occur when they absorbed a message of renewal – of excitement and warmth, of energy and feeling – within the same relationship that they had already with Hashem.  This is why the idea of Rosh  Chodesh had to  precede any ability for the Jewish people to leave Egypt. This is the lesson that we strive to learn to this very day every year, as we read Parshas Hachodesh, before we prepare to feel again the energy of our personal Exodus on the upcoming holiday of Passover.
 
 
Wishing you and your family a Great Shabbos!!!!
 
Rabbi Moshe Travitsky
 

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