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... Here we are again, after K.L. time and too early for Rosh Chodesh Benching... so let's take a look at an important aspect of the Jewish Calendar. Let's put it like this: The Jewish Calendar is not just a Jewish alternative to the secular calendar, it also involves the fulfillment of mitzvot in its use. Simply put, if a Jew says that today is Wednesday, he is identifying the day of the week. If he says that it is Yom R'vi'i, he is also identifying the day of the week, and remembering and sanctifying Shabbat as well (according to the Ramban and others). ZACHOR ET YOM... If a person says that today is January whatever, then he has given the date. If he says that today is the whatever of Tevet, then he has done the same, and more. He has fulfilled the spirit of the mitzva of HaChodesh HaZeh Lachem. The calendar is ours - let's use it more. [The
Parshat Vai-chi Homepage]
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