פרשת ויקהל – פקודי ופרשת החודש

This week’s parsha is named after the Maftir in which we mention the new month and the preparations for the Pesach offering which was performed in the Beis Hamikdash close to this time of year.  Although the simple reason Chasmal chose this selection is because at the beginning of the month of Nissan, Pesach is in the air, the commentaries point out that we cannot ignore the clear reference to the new month.  The Hagadda itself expresses the “Hava Amina” that we should begin speaking about the exodus on Rosh Chodesh, but in the end rejects this idea.  It seems that there is something special about the month of Nissan, and specifically Rosh Chodesh Nissan which is so unique, that it dictates the very name of the Parsha, and warrants a slightly closer look.

The Ohr Hachaim explains that there is a unique significance to the month of Nissan in Jewish tradition.  Chazal teach us that we were redeemed once during Nissan during the Egyptian exile, and we are destined to see the final redemption during Nissan as well.  The Kabbalistic masters explain that although Rosh Hashana is the beginning of the new physical year, Nissan is the beginning of the spiritual year.  Meaning, on Rosh Hashana, the Heavenly courts determine every event that will befall us, but on Rosh Chodesh Nissan, they determine which miracles will be performed for us that year, and how much love Hashem will shower down on us by performing those miracles for us.  They explain further that up until Hashem brought us out of Egypt, the world was run solely on a natural basis.  There were no open miracles.  This all changed when we were extricated from bondage at the hands of the Egyptians.  The reason why this exodus was such a powerful symbol of Hashem’s love for us was because Egypt was completely steeped in impurity.  On a normal level, Hashem would not have allowed His presence to be felt in such a land.  Furthermore, Chazal teach us that there was a magical force field which surrounded Egypt completely, and no slave was ever successful in leaving Egypt.  But because of Hashem’s incredible love for the Jewish nation, He overrode the dictum which He usually adheres to, and personally came into such a barbaric place in order to rescue his beloved firstborn son, the Jewish people in an openly miraculous way.  Chazal teach us that love destroys the normal channels, and this is the distinctive quality of the month of Nissan.

This powerful understanding about Rosh Chodesh Nissan has tremendous ramifications throughout the gamut of Halacha.  We know that from the beginning of Nissan, we no longer say Tachanun.  We are forbidden to fast under normal circumstances.  We do not eulogize the dead during this time.  The Mishkan was inaugurated only on Rosh Chodesh Nissan, even though it was prepared months in advance.  Based on what we have said, the reason for this is simple.  The Mishkan’s sole goal was to give the Master of the world a place to dwell amongst us so that we could be as close as possible at all times.  It is clear that Chazal did not take this time lightly, and that they wanted us to view the entire month as a sort of festival for celebrating the unique loving relationship between Hashem and the Jewish people.

On a practical level, a person should be aware that advances in his spirituality which he was unable to make the entire year, can be achieved now.  Since it is a time which is ripe with Hashem’s deep adoration of us, He will be willing to lift many of the barriers which exist during the rest of the year, and allow us to come close to Him in an unbridled way.  It goes without saying that this incredible opportunity can only be utilized if we make an effort to reciprocate the tremendous overtures of passion which are being directed at us.  If we are apathetic to these signs of affection, we will not profit much from them.  Rather we must do as our ancestors did in order to reap the full benefits of this special time.  Chazal say that we were only redeemed from Egypt in the merit of our faith in Hashem.  We too must turn to Hashem with complete faith, and respond in kind to the love we are being shown by increasing our dedication to the Torah and the Mitzvos, and redoubling our efforts to become the most holy, faithful, and lofty Jews we can be.

Perhaps we could end off with the fascinating Gemorah in Shabbos (147).  The Gemorah relates that R’ Elazar Ben Arach went to a certain spa town during the winter months, and he had such a good time there that he never wanted to come home.  But when he finally got back to town, it was this week’s Parsha – Parshas Hachodesh.  Naturally, after being away for so long, he was called up for an Aliyah to read the Maftir.  He got up to the Torah and instead of reading “החודש הזה לכם” he mistakenly read “החרש היה לבם” – “Their hearts were deaf”.  The Rabbis, who realized that too much pleasure in this world can cause a Jew to forget his learning prayed for him, and all his wisdom returned to him.  The Maharsha comments on this Gemorah that it was no coincidence that it was specifically this Parsha which exposed his downfall.  R’ Elazar Ben Arach was known as a spring whose waters were a constant source of power.  When his forward movement halted, his heart which had been incessantly seeking Hashem began to cool down until he reached the point where he forgot a great deal of his learning like a deaf person who is unable to utilize his senses and whose heart is closed.  His being called up to read this week’s Maftir was to have served as a reminder to reawaken his heart to the love and passion he had felt for so many years in his seeking Hashem, and to demonstrate to us the ability that Rosh Chodesh Nissan truly has!

May we all merit to inculcate this precious message of Nissan, and rededicate ourselves to serve Hashem with great gusto!