[Avodah] Rosh Chodesh - a time for renewal

[Shoshana L. Boublil]

As I was preparing for a shiur I noticed something of interest.  Rav HaLevy 
in his book Makor Chaim starts the volume of the Chagim with Hilchot Rosh 
Chodesh.  This section includes relevant halachot and customs.

>Rav Ovadia Yosef, in his Haggada for Pesach, which includes all the 
>halachot relevant to Pesach, also starts with the issues of the month of 
>Nissan, before going over to hilchot Pesach.

Here are some interesting Halachot and ideas:

Rav Ovadia Yosef, (YLTA) reminds us that Davka during Nissan [when fruit 
trees bear flowers during this period in Eretz Yisrael]: HaYotzeh Beyemei 
Nissan VeRoeh Ilanot SheMotzi'im perachim Mevarech:  BAH... Shelo Chiser 
BeOlamo Klum U'Vara Bo Beryiot tovot Ve'Ilanot Tovot LeiHenot Bahem Bnei 
Adam. .... and this beracha should be said only once a year, and women 
should also say this Beracha during the month of Nissan.

>Rav Chaim David HaLevy ZT"L writes that Rosh Chodesh is recognized during 
>Bayit Rishon as a time of joy and family get-togethers [probably connected 
>with the extra korban of the day], see for example the story of Shaul, 
>Yonatan and David when David did not come to the Se'udat Rosh Chodesh.

In one of the notes Rav Chaim David HaLevy tells us that the Gaon, Rav Uziel 
ZT"L, Chief Rabbi of Israel and Rishon LeTzion told that in Yeshivat 
"Tiferet Yerushalayim" it was customary for the rabbis and students to go 
out into nature for a picnic out of town, on Rosh Chodesh.

> In Ein Aya, Rav Kook ZT"L discusses Berachot 57;B:  Shalosh Meshivim Da'at 
> Shel Adam: Kol U'Mareh VeRei'ach.

The paragraph is in very difficult Hebrew, so I'll just write the relevant 
point:

Our day-to-day lives distance us from the pure and natural and holy 
spiritual aspects and the mind is clouded. One way to return to spiritual 
clarity is by finding pleasure in nature via the sound of songbirds and the 
wonderous view of the Carmel and Sharon with their blooming flowers and the 
fragrance of the roses and fruit in Hashem's garden that He gave to mankind. 
These return his spirit and mind to their natural place after society and 
culture have distanced him, and as man returns to the source of Hashem's 
creation, man's natural spiritual character will return to the holy aspects 
and his soul will be lifted to Hashem...

- a way of renewal. [this description is especially apt for Rosh Chodesh 
Nissan in Israel]
===========================

>To continue this idea, Rav Kook ZT"L in his introduction to Olat Ra'ayah 
>discusses the placement and importance of the 3 prayers: [a very short (!) 
>summary]  Shacharit is said when you start the day, it gives you strength; 
>Mincha forces you midday to stop, take a look at yourself, and renews your 
>strength for the rest of the day; Ma'ariv is said at the end of the day, 
>again it gives you strength to look back on your day and continue.

============================

Rosh Chodesh apparently has, besides the calendar related aspects, also a 
spiritual aspect of renewal of the spirit.  Especially now, Erev Rosh 
Chodesh Nissan, Chazal found it important that we realize that every aspect 
of our lives can contain Kedusha.  The calendar that we focus on with 
respect to when to conduct the Chagim is not just that.  Besides our daily 
moments of prayer and reflection, Rosh Chodesh, the time of the renewal of 
the moon, is set to help us take a moment, examine ourselves and seek 
renewal.

Chodesh Tov.

Shoshana L. Boublil