Parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei (HaChodesh) 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
וביום החדש פר בן בקר תמימם ... (יחזקאל מו-ו)
Yechezkel HaNavi describes the various sacrifices that will be offered during the seven-day inauguration ceremony of the third Bais HaMikdash, and the Korban which is brought on Rosh Chodesh Nissan. Many important events have taken place in the month of Nisan; notably, the redemption of the Jews from Egypt, the Mishkan was first assembled on Rosh Chodesh Nisan, and the Mizbeach was inaugurated into service during the first 12 days of Nisan.
The first mitzvah commanded to the Jewish people was to base the Jewish calendar on the phases of the moon, yet also make it consistent with the solar seasons. This complicated calendar must constantly be edited and revised to accommodate all the seemingly minor discrepancies. Why must we make things so complicated?
R’ Menachem Mendel Schneerson zt”l (Lubavitcher Rebbe) explains how the Seforno (Bereshis 1:1) details that time was the first creation in the world, thus, the sanctification of time is of sacred value to the Jewish people. Jewish time is based on the moon with monthly rises and falls, and minor solar adjustments. Like the moon, Jews have times of spiritual ascent and spiritual decline, however, one might need to utilize a dash of the sun’s continuity to remain on course. Life can be creative with perpetual self-revitalization; however, it must remain grounded in unequivocal truths, faithfulness and consistency. It is no simple task to merge the two calendars, but Jews aren’t afraid of working hard to achieve perfection.