The month of Tishrei is followed by the month of Marcheshvan. Tishrei is a month that is “filled with Yomim Tovim”, whereas Marcheshvan is a month with no unique days of holiness and celebration. Some suggest that this is why the month is called Marcheshvan, Mar meaning bitter.
The Chassidic masters relate the name מרחשון to the word מרחשין, meaning the murmuring of one’s lips. This term is found in the Shulchan Aruch which rules that one may not go to the bathroom immediately after concluding the Shemoneh Esrei, but must wait a short amount of time.
The reason for this law is because in the moments immediately after finishing Shemoneh Esrei, our lips are still murmuring the lingering words of prayer.
The month of Tishrei is like davening the Shemoneh Esrei, where we stand in the presence of Hashem in a state of deep connection. Whilst the month of Marcheshvan brings an end to this heightened spiritual state, the lingering feelings of connection from the Chagim continue to linger.
We have to take this energy and upliftment with us as we return to our regular lives, to serve Hashem in the mundane.
This is similar to Noach who wanted to remain in the Ark. The Kabbalists teach that the Teiva was pervaded with a G-dly light that is akin to the revelation of the times of Moshiach. But Hashem directed him צא מן התיבה, “leave the Ark”. Noach had a job to do, not to remain in his spiritually sheltered cocoon, but to go out into the mundane world and reveal Hashem’s presence there.
