קידוש החודש

This week’s Parsha, בא, has a number of Mitzvot in it. The Book of בראשית had only three Mitzvot, Be fruitful and multiply, ברית מילה, and גיד הנשה, the prohibition of eating the sciatic vein. Parshat בא has twenty Mitzvot, nine positive and eleven negative. The first of these Mitzvot is החודש הזה לכם, “this month is for you.” In actuality, this is a commandment to sanctify each month with the viewing of the new moon, or, קידוש החודש. The Netivot Shalom calls this as a distinctive Jewish Mitzva. The Midrash says, לכם ולא להם, it is for you and not for them. This means that the Jews count in relation to the moon, and the nations of the world, to the sun. The Midrash continues and says that Eisav is compared to the sun and rules by the day. And Yisrael is compared to the moon that rules by day and night. This Mitzva symbolizes Israel’s complete reliance on Hashem. It also reflects renewal and resiliency. We have our ups and downs, but we always bounce back. And finally, קידוש החודש the ultimate renewal of the גאולה. It is understandable that this was the first Mitzva given in Egypt.