קידוש החודש במצרים

Parshat בא is the Parsha where we begin to receive numerous Mitzvot of the Torah. The entire Book of Bereishit had only three commandments: פרו ורבו and ברית מילה and גיד הנשה, the prohibition of eating the sciatic vein of an animal.

We are first instructed in the Mitzva of קידוש החודש, the sanctification of the new moon each month. This is followed by a number of laws related to Pesach and the preparation of the קרבן פסח.

What is striking about the קידוש החודש is that Moshe received the details of the sanctification of the New Moon, in Egypt. It should seem somewhat surprising that a Divine commandment can come in such an unholy place. We are told that Moshe did need to go to the outskirts of the city to hear from Hashem. The impurities within the city were too great to warrant such a message.

These details serve to reinforce the idea that one cannot grow spiritually in a negative environment. No matter how great one’s intentions might be, he will not be able to flourish when all around him is materialism and vanity.

This point always makes me feel extremely impressed with the outreach of Chabad. They manage to touch Jews all over the world in the most remote places. Yet, for the most part, they do their holy work without being affected by their surroundings.

We must recognize our own vulnerabilities, and place ourselves in the best situation where we can grow in our service of Hashem.