Eleven months out of the year we recite “Birkat HaChodesh”, the blessing of the new month on the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh (the beginning of the new month). However, this Shabbat, the Shabbat before Rosh HaShana we omit this special blessing. Why?

Shem MiShmuel points out that when the world was created, there was no announcement beforehand. So too, on Rosh HaShana, the birthday the world, we should make a fresh start and not connect the new year with the previous one.

Another tradition is that we don’t publicly announce when Rosh HaShana will be in order to confuse Satan. A hint to this can be found in the words (Tehillim 81) “Tiku VaChodesh Shofar, BaKeseh L’Yom Chagenu”, “Blow the Shofar on the new moon at the covered time for our festive day”. The Talmud, Masechet Rosh HaShana 8a explains that the word “Keseh” is similar to the word “Koseh”, meaning covering. All of the other holidays occur in the middle of the month when the moon is visible. Rosh HaShana occurs at the beginning of the month when the moon is still covered. This implies that the day of the holiday is hidden and not publicly announced.

The Baal Shem Tov is known to have said that God personally blesses the seventh month (Tishrei), the first month of the new year on the Shabbat preceeding Rosh HaShana. This blessing gives the Jewish people the strength to bless the other eleven months of the year!

Shana Tova from Yerushalayim!

PSALMS AT THE WESTERN WALL FOR YOU OR A LOVED ONE CAN BE ARRANGED BY TORAT REVA YERUSHALAYIM

As the High Holidays approach, Torat Reva Yerushalayim is proud to introduce a new opportunity to have a learned person recite Psalms on your behalf on a weekly basis at the Kotel (Western Wall).

Jacob, our Forefather calls Jerusalem “The gate of heaven”. According to Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan z”l, “Just as things can go in through a gate, so can they emerge. Thus, all spiritual sustenance and blessing come only through Jerusalem , as it is written, ‘God will bless you from Zion ’ (Psalms 128:5). It is taught in the Zohar that God first sends a blessing to Jerusalem , and from there it flows to the entire world. Today, when the Temple no longer stands, the source of this blessing is the Western Wall.”

Tehillim (Psalms) at the Western Wall can be recited on your behalf for the following:

• Health/ Recovery from an illness
• Healthy childbirth
• Shidduch (finding a mate)
• Thanksgiving
• Livelihood & success
• Divine guidance
• Troublesome times
• Repentance
• Peace
  

With your monthly donation of $18 or more (or yearly donation of $180 or more) to Torat Reva Yerushalayim, you will be performing the important mitzvah of contributing toward the Torah education of the forgotten population of senior citizens in Jerusalem, while having your prayers recited by a learned person at the footsteps of Judaism’s holiest site.

Your contribution can be made by mailing a check to Torat Reva Yerushalayim, 75 Berkeley Avenue , Yonkers , NY 10705 or via Paypal, by clicking on the link below and scrolling down to the “Make A Donation” button.

http://toratreva.org/Joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7&Itemid=7

Please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 718-593-4162 if you would like to take part in this exciting project!