Parashat Ki Tavo 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... You might have noticed in the last few nights, a pretty full moon in the sky. The full moon nearest the autumnal equinox (the beginning of fall) is called a Harvest Moon. Farmers at this time of the year were able to continue bringing in their harvest way past sunset, since they were able to continue work to the light of the full moon. This particular full moon illuminates more of the nighttime than others, because around the time of the equinox, the just past full moon rises sooner after sunset than other near-full waning moons. What the waning moon of Elul means to us, is that Rosh HaShana is fast approaching. When Elul's moon first made its appearance, there was almost a whole month 'til Rosh HaShana. As the moon grew, the time drew shorter. And now that the moon has peaked and is already diminishing, KESEH, that time when the moon will be hidden to us and we will stand in judgment before G-d, is all the closer. We must harvest our mitzvot and good deeds and effectively rid ourselves misdeeds and sin.
[The Ki Tavo Homepage]
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