Rosh Chodesh in You
By Dani'el Rendelman
www.emetministries.com
Emet Ministries is the Bnai Yahshua Synagogue of Prosperity, SC
What is really more exciting than a newborn baby? Just think of all the hope and all the newness that is experienced by parents when a child is brought home for the first time. There is such anticipation and so many dreams found in a little baby. Wrapped in a soft blanket is so much hope. Kids are great, aren't they? They have such innocence and such promise. They are inquisitive and interested, yet not too involved. Children are not too busy to enjoy life. For example, my five year-old son can spot a ladybug from a mile away. Those little red and black bugs amaze him. And my firstborn is astonished at the stars, the sun, and moon. He loves to look to the sky. And he loves to read.
I still chuckle when I remember him sitting on the bed one day with my wife's Bible. He said he wanted to read the Bible to me, so I sat down beside him as he opened the book.. He turned to the middle of the Bible and said, "once upon a time" I had to laugh at his comments. Such innocence. About children and their faith Yahshua said, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven," Mattitiyahu 18:3-4.
To enter the kingdom of Yahweh and to understand the kingdom of Yahweh takes a return to childlike belief. We should see things as kids do. And we should obey the Father as kids should obey their father. Kids see the plain and simple. They look past worries and cares. A child's vision is not clouded by bills or bosses. Kids see things clearly like lady bugs, air planes, and the moon. With this in mind, let's return to the Father as children. Let us stop and look at the moon in amazement. Let's gaze into its light and see our purpose.
Our subject is the New Moon and our result should be renewal of our spiritual life. Yes, in plain view of the moon is the nation of Yisra'el's call as a nation, the purpose of the exodus, and reason for creation. Indeed, the concept of the New Moon or Rosh Chodesh represents the objective of the Torah and the intention of the nation as a whole. The very first commandment given to the nation of Yisra'el is the command concerning the setting apart of a calendar based upon the New Moon.
"Yahweh said to Moshe and Aharon in the land of Egypt, 'This month shall be for you the beginning of the months; it shall be for you the first of the months of the year," Shemot (Exodus) 12:2.
To fully understand what is taking place let's recap what has taken place in Yisra'el's past prior to this commandment being. Within understanding this first command given to the nation as a whole is the vision and mission of Yisra'el.
Here they are, a huge throng of people being harshly enslaved to Pharaoh - in bondage to an evil taskmaster. A redeemer has come to bring their freedom. Moshe has been called of Yahweh to lead the people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. Yahweh Elohim wants his people free from Pharoah's rule and Egypt's influence. And so the battle begins. Good versus evil; light against darkness; Yahweh and Pharaoh. One plague after another attacks the enemy - blood, lice, frogs, boils, death of animals, darkness, locusts, hail, and insects. Pharoah's heart hardens and does not yield to Yahweh's desire for freedom for His people. Pharaoh wants to own and control the people of Yisra'el. But Yisrael is Yahweh's own prized people.
Finally, the last plague upon Egypt comes. Death to all firstborn of the womb will come unless the blood of a lamb is applied. "Yahweh said to Moshe and Aharon in Egypt, "This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household; Take care of the animal until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast; it is Yahweh's Passover. On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn-both men and animals-and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am Yahweh. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to Yahweh-a lasting ordinance," Shemot (Exodus) 12.
Within these few short versus hides the call of Yisra'el. The events of this Passover are to be remembered every year forever. The final plague is so extraordinary, the result of this punishment is so awesome that the newly born nation of Yisra'el is to commemorate it every year at the same time - at this time. Freedom from bondage to the worldly ways is to be commemorated by beginning the Hebrew calendar with this month, the month of Aviv. This is the month of redemption, the month of life, the month of firsts. Every year this month would point to the great miracle of Yahweh's exodus. The first commandment given to Yisra'el as a nation is that of Rosh Chodesh.
"Yahweh said to Moshe and Aharon in the land of Egypt, 'This month shall be for you the beginning of the months; it shall be for you the first of the months of the year," Shemot (Exodus) 12:2.
Rosh Chodesh is the Hebrew term for "renewed moon." The Biblical month begins with the crescent New Moon, also called First Visible Sliver. The root of the term Rosh Chodsh is "chadash," which means to repair or renew. Each month the darkness of the night is illuminated by the moon's light. According to Yahweh, when the slightest "fingertip" or sliver of the moon is visible then it is the first of the month. Rosh Chodesh is a time to come together with other like minded believers and "sound the shofar on the new moon" as the word says in Tehillim (Psalms) 81:3. This is a time to look to Yahweh in worship and prayer.
Honestly, is there a better way to remind Yisra'el of its high calling than to view the crescent moon that marks the start of each month? On Rosh Chodesh the moon's light breaks forth from the darkness and brings Light to the world as a reminder to Yisra'el about its calling and purpose.
Looking to the moon we realize the seasons. Tehillim 104:19 says, "The moon marks off the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down."
Also, the Talmud states "anyone who blesses the New Moon is like one who receives the Shekinah." Did you get that?
Anyone who blesses the New Moon is like one who receives the Shekinah."
You see, there is a direct connection between Yahweh's calendar and the Shekinah - the glorious presence of Yahweh.
One rabbi has written that the, "concept of the New Moon represents the goal of the Torah." Why is this? How does the Rosh Chodesh bring the presence of Yahweh?
Well, Yisra'el left bondage in Egypt with a two-fold mission:
1) To be a nation set apart to Yahweh through His Torah - Shemot (Exodus) 19:5-6, "Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."
2) To take the Torah to the world and thus be the "light to the nations," Isaiah 42:5, "This is what Yahweh Elohim says- he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: "I, Yahweh, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. I am Yahweh; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you."
What does this two-fold mission have to do with the New Moon, with Rosh Chodesh?
Well, the main property and purpose of the moon is that it does not reflect its own light, rather it reflects the light of the sun. Even at the darkest point of the night, when the sun is hidden by darkness, the moon can be seen.
Tehillim (Psalm) 89:35-37 teaches that the people of Yisra'el are like the moon! The mission of the moon and the mission of Yisrael is the same - it is to reflect Light. As the moon shatters the black of night, we too as Yisra'el are to shine the Light of Torah into the darkness of this world. The moon and in fact Yisra'el do not exist for their own sake but for that of the whole world. "The Light of the righteous shines brightly," Mishlei (Proverbs) 13. We have been called out of bondage to receive the Light, share the Light, and be the Light. Our purpose is to bring salvation to the world.
"And now Yahweh says- he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Ya'acov back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of Yahweh and my Elohim has been my strength-he says: "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Ya'acov and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth," Yesha'yahu (Isaiah) 49:5-6.
In the Scriptures, Light is the Hebrew word "ore." According to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance and Dictionary "ore" literally means "to be luminous literally and metaphorically: break of day, glorious, kindle, set on fire, shine."
The word "ore" appears 5 times on the first day of creation, representing the 5 books of the Torah that bring Light to the world. Light is also used as a synonym or Hebrew idiom for the Torah. "Thy commandment is a lamp and thy Torah is a Light," Mishlei (Proverbs) 6:23. So when the scriptures speak of Light they are in fact many times speaking of the Word of Yahweh, the Torah. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light (Torah) unto my path," says Tehillim (Psalm) 119.
Light is also a synonym for Yahweh Yahshua. "Yahweh is Light and in Him is no darkness at all," 1 Yochannan 1:5.
Yahshua Himself said, "I am the Light of the World." This would make perfect sense because Light is symbolic of the Torah and Yahshua is the Living Torah - the Torah made flesh!
So, to recap, we are called and created to share the Light to the world. The light is Torah, which is Yahshua. When we do, according to Yesha'yahu we bring salvation (Yahshua) to the world! Yisra'el is to be like the moon and reflect Yahweh's Light. We are to shine in darkness and bring salvation to the world.
This story is told by Max Lucado about a group of cave people:
Long ago, or maybe not so long ago, there was a tribe in a dark, cold cavern. The cave dwellers would huddle together and cry against the chill. Loud and long they wailed. It was all they did. It was all they knew to do. The sounds in the cave were mournful, but the people didn't know it, for had never known life. But then, one day, they heard a different voice. "I have heard your cries," it announced. "I have felt your chill and seen your darkness. I have come to help."
The cave people grew quiet. They had never heard this voice. Hope sounded strange to their ears. "How can we know you have come to help?" "Trust me," he answered. "I have what you need." The cave people peered through the darkness at the figure of the stranger. He was stacking something, then stooping and stacking more.
"What are you doing?" one cried, nervous. The stranger didn't answer. "What are you making?" one shouted even louder. Still no response. "Tell us!" demanded a third. The visitor stood and spoke in the direction of the voices. "I have what you need." With that he turned to the pile at his feet and lit it. Wood ignited, flames erupted, and light filled the cavern. The cave people turned away in fear. "Put it out!" they cried. "It hurts to see it." "Light always hurts before it helps," he answered. "Step closer. The pain will soon pass."
"Not I," declared a voice. "Nor I," agreed a second. "Only a fool would risk exposing his eyes to such light." The stranger stood next to the fire. "Would you prefer the darkness? Would you prefer the cold? Don't consult your fears. Take a step of faith."
For a long time no one spoke. The people hovered in groups covering their eyes. The fire builder stood next to the fire. "It's warm here," he invited. "He's right," one from behind him announced. "It's warmer." The stranger turned and saw a figure slowly stepping toward the fire. "I can open my eyes now," she proclaimed. "I can see." "Come closer," invited the fire builder. She did. She stepped into the ring of light. "It's so warm!" She extended her hands and sighed as her chill began to pass. "Come, everyone! Feel the warmth," she invited.
"Silence, woman!" cried one of the cave dwellers. "Dare you lead us into your folly? Leave us and take your light with you." She turned to the stranger. "Why won't they come?"
"They choose the chill, for though it's cold, it's what they know. They'd rather be cold than change." "And live in the dark?" "And live in the dark." The now-warm woman stood silent. Looking first at the dark, then at the man. "Will you leave the fire?" he asked.
She paused, then answered, "I cannot. I cannot bear the cold." Then she spoke again. "But nor can I bear the thought of my people in darkness." "You don't have to," he responded, reaching into the fire and removing a stick. "Carry this to your people. Tell them the light is here, and the light is warm. Tell them the light is for all who desire it." And so she took the small flame and stepped into the shadows"
Yisra'el is to take the Light of Yahweh to the world. Ephesians 5:8 says emphatically to "walk as children of the Light." Even Messiah said, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven," Mattitiyahu 5:14-16.
Friend, Rosh Chodesh is very important. This is the exact time that Yahweh called Yisra'el as a nation out of darkness. He gave them the first commandment to honor the New Moon. This is also the time of Yahshua's sacrificial work of atonement and death. And this is the time, the exact day when thousands of years ago Yahweh's presence filled the mishkan, the tabernacle.
"So the tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month; Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the Shekinah of Yahweh filled the tabernacle. Moshe could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of Yahweh had filled the tabernacle," Shemot (Exodus) 40:17,34,35.
IT IS TRUE - "anyone who blesses the New Moon is like one who receives the Shekinah"
This Rosh Chodesh and every Rosh Chodesh is a special time to stop and reflect, to stop and think about our calling. This is a time to renew our commitment to our calling as Yisra'el. As we glimpse into the sky and see the small sliver of a moon illuminate the darkness we can be reminded of our purpose: to shine forth the Light!
WE ARE NOT TO CREATE THE LIGHT: We should not strive to bring attention to ourselves and we should do away with selfish ambitions. Religiosity clouds the light. Selfishness hinders the Light from shining. Doing "our thing" stops us from doing Yahweh's will. If you are fulfilling your own desires for ministry then perhaps you are creating your own light. Through any way possible are you drawing attention to "nice" things and people more than Yahweh?
WE ARE NOT TO HIDE THE LIGHT: We should not compromise the truths of our faith like using other names rather than the Sacred Name of Yahweh Yahshua. Today's culture says to blend in and be a part while Yahweh says "to come out and be separate." If you get along well with people of the world then maybe you are hiding the Light. If you use titles instead of the true name of Yahweh Yahshua then maybe you are getting in the way of the Light shining upon the darkness?
YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE IS TO SHINE THE LIGHT:
Just as the moon shines the light of the sun we as Yisra'el are to shine the Light of Yahweh. In fact what happens in your life occurs to bring forth more Light. What may mark darkness to you, like difficulties and trials, actually can bring forth light. Remember that from the darkness Yahweh said, "Let there be light."
Even Yisra'el was led out of Egypt at nite by the light of the moon - Devarim 16:1.
Let's not eclipse the Sun through compromise, fleshly desires, hypocrisy, and saying one thing and doing another. The Word says in Yochannan 3:19-21, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through Elohim"
As Yisraelites we are called to once a month remember our freedom from the bondage of slavery and darkness. We are not to eclipse the Light through compromise and selfish desire. Nor are we to shine our own light or hide the tru light. Rather we are to be the Light shining the Light of Torah to all the world.
When we do shine the Light those in darkness can see!
When we walk in the Light of Torah people can see Yahshua in us. They are drawn to Yahweh in us. We don't need evangelistic tracts, revivals, bumper stickers, or crusades. What the world needs is for you and me, for Yisra'el to shine the light of Yahweh. "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of Yahweh rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but Yahweh rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn," Yesha'yahu 60:1-3
The lost and dying world that is trapped in darkness needs Yisra'el to remember the first commandment and walk in its purpose. We need to learn the lesson of Rosh Chodesh and the moon. Our job is to KNOW Torah, and LIVE Torah.
It is the first command given to the nation of Yisra'el and the nation's call to walk in Torah.
"O come house of Ya'acov and let us walk in the Light," Yesha'yahu 2:5.
