Parashat B'reishit A weekly feature of Torah Tidbits to help clarify practical and conceptual aspects of the Jewish Calendar, thereby better fulfilling the mitzva of HaChodesh HaZeh Lachem... One might say that Tishrei is not really a month. At least, not a "regular" month. Its Rosh Chodesh is not announced in advance. It is hardly acknowledged on the day that should have been Rosh Chodesh. It is eclipsed by Rosh HaShana. The month is filled with special days and observances that don't allow us to relate toit as one of the months of the year. But when we come to Cheshvan, the Calendar (and we) are ready to settle down. No holidays or fast days (there is BaHa"B and Rachel Imeinu's Yahrzeit, but...), "just" a Rosh Chodesh and the rest of the days of the month. Know anyone whose birthday is Cheshvan 30? That date doesn't exist every year. We have one only when we need to add a day to the year to "reach" the next Rosh HaShana. 5760 is a 13-month year. RH of 5761 will be Shabbat (again). There will be 385 days from this year's RH to the next one. A regular 13-month year has only384. 30 Cheshvan comes to the rescue. This Shabbat's two announcements: ROSH CHODESH MARCHESHVAN Y'H'YEH MACHAR B'YOM RISHON U'V'YOM SHEINI HABA ALEINU V'AL KOL YISRAEL L'TOVA. The molad will occur (tomorrow) Yom Rishon, 28 minutes and 10 parts (there are 18 parts to a minute) after 4 in the morning. [The B'reishit Homepage]
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