What is so special about Parshas Hachodesh? The Torah says “Hachodesh hazeh lachem rosh chodashim, rishon hu lachem l’chadshei hashanah, This month is for you the first of the month, it is the first for you of the months of the year.” What is the double mention of Rosh Chodesh? And why is it considered Rosh Chodesh “for you?” The calendar is not something specific to the Jewish people – why can’t it just be called Rosh Chodesh for the whole world?
The answer is that there are two types of “Rosh Chodesh.” One is the Rosh Chodesh of the year, which is Rosh Hashana, and the second is the Rosh Chodesh of the months, which is the month of Nissan. The renewal of the year on Rosh Hashana represents the passing of time. Another year of life has gone by, as we age and cycle through life, which may not feel like the most invigorating form of renewal. The renewal of months, headed by Nissan, represents the invigorating renewal of new opportunities. We stay passionate in our Yiddishkeit by constantly seeking forms of renewal: new beginnings, new opportunities, and another fresh start.
This is called “for you” because ‘you’ need to seek it out: renewal doesn’t just automatically come to you. In the times of Chazal, the new Hebrew month wasn’t automatic; it only happened when 2 witnesses would report seeing the new moon. The same applies to our mission to seek renewal in our Judaism, it isn’t automatic; we must go seek it out!
But what if a Yid feels like after all the things he’s done, starting afresh is impossible. He may think: “The damage is already done with the aveiros I’ve committed. I can’t change what has already happened!”
This sentiment may be correct for everyone – except for Yidden.
The message of “Hachodesh” to the Jewish people is that a Yid who lives with the correct mindset understands that our job is not to “do and accomplish,” but rather “L’dovka Bo, to cling to Hashem.” To cling to Hashem means to follow Him everywhere. It’s not about “Oy, what have I done?” or “I’m not where I am supposed to be!” because the goal is not to get to any specific destination but rather to follow the plan that Hashem has for me. That means getting back up again when I fall and understand that spiritual ups and downs are also part of Hashem’s plan.
Understanding this is the key to seeking renewal. When we live with Hashem, and understand that our inner attachment to Him remains at all times, we will find it much easier to renew ourselves after a spiritual setback. Although on the outside it seems like we are having “highs and lows,” in a deeper sense it is not that we accidentally make a wrong turn off of the ‘road of Hashem.’ Rather, Hashem creates for every one of us a custom-built road that will take us directly to our destination, even if the road has many twists and turns along the way.
Take It To Go:
The Beyam Darkecha is teaching us that the way to reinvigorate ourselves after a spiritual setback is to remember that even our ups and downs are part of Hashem’s plan. The road Hashem paves for us is exactly the right pathway, and every step along the way is another opportunity L’dovka Bo, to cling to Hashem,
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 29.
