Parshat HaChodesh
HaChodesh Hazeh Lachem: The First Commandment“This month shall be for you the first of months…” (Exodus 12:2)
This mitzvah--to sanctify the new moon—is the first national commandment given to the Jewish people, and it defines how we experience time. The Torah refers to months not by name, but by number: first, second, third… Why? So that we never forget the Exodus—the core of our collective memory. Every new month reminds us that God is not only the Creator, but also actively involved in history, guiding it toward its ultimate purpose.
Rashi famously comments:The Torah could have started from here.
Why? Because this is where the story of Israel as a people begins--not just with the universe's creation, but with its moral purpose. From this point on, human beings are called to partner with God in correcting and elevating the world.
Creation, Responsibility, and the MoonIn the beginning, Adam had the potential to perfect creation. Had he eaten from the Tree of Life before the Tree of Knowledge, he would have preserved a state of harmony. But he placed his own desire ahead of God's will—and in doing so, became incapable of completing creation as he was meant to.
This mirrors a powerful midrash about the moon. The moon questioned God’s design, seeking importance for itself. In response, it was told to make itself smaller. The moon lost its independent light, shining only through reflected light—symbolic of humility and receptivity.
Yet the Midrash promises that in the future, the moon will regain its light. This symbolizes the restoration of human dignity and our ability to give, not only reflect.
Kiddush Levana: Sanctifying the MoonThe mitzvah of Kiddush Levana, sanctifying the new moon, reminds us that even in our smallest, darkest moments--this is not our essence. Our essence is holy, and we are destined to return to fullness.
We bless the moon as it begins to grow again, affirming that periods of smallness and vulnerability are necessary for growth. As Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski taught: just as a lobster must shed its shell in order to grow—becoming soft and exposed in the process—so too, we must move through discomfort to achieve transformation.
From Ego to ResponsibilityGrowth means shedding ego. A baby is entirely self-focused. But as we mature, we expand beyond self: to family, to community, to the Jewish people, and to all of humanity.
True maturity is not about glory or entitlement—it’s about responsibility.
At the core of Jewish life is kabbalat ol malchut shamayim—accepting the yoke of Heaven. We are not called to chase honor, but to ask:
“What is my responsibility?”
That is the light of the moon.
That is the light of Pesach.
And that is the essence of redemption.
This mitzvah--to sanctify the new moon—is the first national commandment given to the Jewish people, and it defines how we experience time. The Torah refers to months not by name, but by number: first, second, third… Why? So that we never forget the Exodus—the core of our collective memory. Every new month reminds us that God is not only the Creator, but also actively involved in history, guiding it toward its ultimate purpose.
Rashi famously comments:The Torah could have started from here.
Why? Because this is where the story of Israel as a people begins--not just with the universe's creation, but with its moral purpose. From this point on, human beings are called to partner with God in correcting and elevating the world.
Creation, Responsibility, and the MoonIn the beginning, Adam had the potential to perfect creation. Had he eaten from the Tree of Life before the Tree of Knowledge, he would have preserved a state of harmony. But he placed his own desire ahead of God's will—and in doing so, became incapable of completing creation as he was meant to.
This mirrors a powerful midrash about the moon. The moon questioned God’s design, seeking importance for itself. In response, it was told to make itself smaller. The moon lost its independent light, shining only through reflected light—symbolic of humility and receptivity.
Yet the Midrash promises that in the future, the moon will regain its light. This symbolizes the restoration of human dignity and our ability to give, not only reflect.
Kiddush Levana: Sanctifying the MoonThe mitzvah of Kiddush Levana, sanctifying the new moon, reminds us that even in our smallest, darkest moments--this is not our essence. Our essence is holy, and we are destined to return to fullness.
We bless the moon as it begins to grow again, affirming that periods of smallness and vulnerability are necessary for growth. As Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski taught: just as a lobster must shed its shell in order to grow—becoming soft and exposed in the process—so too, we must move through discomfort to achieve transformation.
From Ego to ResponsibilityGrowth means shedding ego. A baby is entirely self-focused. But as we mature, we expand beyond self: to family, to community, to the Jewish people, and to all of humanity.
True maturity is not about glory or entitlement—it’s about responsibility.
At the core of Jewish life is kabbalat ol malchut shamayim—accepting the yoke of Heaven. We are not called to chase honor, but to ask:
“What is my responsibility?”
That is the light of the moon.
That is the light of Pesach.
And that is the essence of redemption.