* Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
Chodesh Tov!
Rosh Chodesh Iyar begins tonight and continues until Tuesday night.
1. Iyar is an acronym of the words, “I am the Lord who heals you.” It is a month of both physical and spiritual rehabilitation. The nation of Israel were redeemed from slavery in Nisan and went through a process of healing during the month of Iyar. May we all experience such healing in our time.
2. Rosh Chodesh is considered a day of joy, renewal, and prayer. Therefore, we add a section to Shemone Esre and to Birkat HaMazon (Grace after Meals) called “Ya’aleh Ve’Yavo,” we recite Hallel (songs of thanksgiving from the Book of Tehillim-Psalms), as well as the Musaf prayer. There are those who hold a festive meal on this day or observe other customs.
3. Highlights of this month include: Pesach Sheini for those (during Temple times) who were unable to bring the Pesach offering on its designated date, underscoring the possibility of making amends for what we have missed; Lag B’Omer (on the 18th of the month), the yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, who played a key role in the development of Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah). And in our generation, we have been blessed with two new holidays: Yom Ha’Atzamaut, on the 5th of Iyar, celebrating the establishment of the State of Israel 77 years ago in 5708 (1948), and Yom Yerushalayim on the 28th of Iyar commemorating the reunification of Jerusalem 58 years ago.
4. Iyar is the only month of the year whose days are all are counted in Sefirat HaOmer, teaching us the importance of using time to its fullest and reminding us that each day of life is precious, unique, and a one-time opportunity.
