Good Erev Shabbat to all!
Our Girl's Division is really getting into the Pesach spirit with the beautiful and colorful Hagadot that they are putting together and learning about. They are preparing for the Model Seder in which they will participate at the Coler-Goldwater Nursing Facility as part of the the Bikur Cholim Youth Corps. In our General Studies Department, the upper grades are hard at work with a brand new Holocaust Studies project, under the supervision of Mrs. Shifrah Yachnes. Each student is researching a hero of the Holocaust, some one who saved Jewish lives during this dark period of Jewish history. They will write an in-depth report about their hero. The reports will later be collated into a booklet and also made into a powerpoint presentation.
As we read this Shabbat Parashat Hachodesh, it brings to mind the importance attached to the moon in Jewish ritual. Our calendar is based on the lunar cycle. Kiddush HaChodesh is the first Mitzvah given to us as the Jewish nation. Every month we celebrate the arrival of the New Moon with a mini-Yom Tov, Rosh Chodesh, complete with Hallel and Musaf. We joyously great the appearance of the New Moon with the Kiddush Levana. Why all the focus on the moon?
The Chazal point out that the moon is symbolic of many concepts very basic to our Torah way of life. Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun and shines it upon the earth, so we, the Jewish people, are obligated to reflect the Hashem’s greatness throughout the world. The moon symbolizes the pattern of Jewish history. Every month the moon disappears almost completely into oblivion, only to return once again to its full strength. Similarly, how many times has it seemed as if the Jewish people, Chas, V’shalom, had disappeared from the annuls of world history, only to be reborned and restored to its prominent place of honor and glory. In our personal lives, the cycle of moon and its monthly renewal, reminds us that we constantly have a chance to do Teshuva, wipe the slate clean, and get a fresh start in our Avodas Hashem. In Chinuch, as well, the moon contains a rich lesson. In the beginning of the month, the moon is a tiny sliver of light, hardly noticeable in the night sky. However, with a little patience, this insignificant bit of light grows and grows until it transforms into a full moon, shining brightly illuminating the world. So too it is with our children. Many, at first glance, appear to have very little talent and skill to work with. But with patience, love, and encouragement, we can discover the hidden potential that lies within each child. It is our job to uncover that potential and to allow that child to shine his/ her unique light upon the world.
Shabbat Shalom!
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