Shabbos HaChodesh
This Shabbos, we read parashas HaChodesh. The Midrash (Shemos 15:2) states: Malachim ask Hakadosh Baruch Hu, "Ribono Shel Olam, when will You make yom tov?" Hakadosh Baruch Hu replies, "I and you will agree to whatever the Jewish nation decides..." When Bnei Yisrael make rosh chodesh, that will determine when it will be yom tov.
Hakadosh Baruch Hu says to Bnei Yisrael, "In the past it was in My hands... From now on, it is in your hands. When you say yes, it is yes. When you say no, it is no. הזה החודש לכם, the new month is up to you. If you choose to make a leap year, I accede to your decision...'"
The Chidushei HaRim zt’l explains, "Everything was given to us! Everything is in our hands! If a person appreciates who he is and his potential, he wouldn't waste a moment."
Reb Yaakov Eliyahu Lazar zt'l was by the Shinover Rav zt'l for Shabbos Parah. On Sunday, he came to say goodbye (gezegenen) because he wanted to return home. The Shinover Rav asked him, "Are you leaving already? So soon?" The gabai was present, and he understood that the Shinover Rav wanted Reb Lazar to stay longer, so he quickly spoke up for Reb Lazar. "No, Reb Lazar will remain with us for a few more days." The Shinover Rav replied, "That's good, because it's very important for one to be with his Rebbe on Shabbos HaChodesh. On this Shabbos, one has the potential to become a new person."
Reb Lazar would often speak nostalgically about that Shabbos. He said it's impossible to repeat what he saw that Shabbos. He only revealed one thing. When he davened רבה אהבה in Shacharis, he was suddenly overcome by emotion. He left the beis medresh and cried profusely from deveikus. He felt that he had become a new person.
One of the specialties of Shabbos HaChodesh is that we can become new. As it states, לכם הזה החודש, the power of becoming new is in your hands. The Beis Avraham zt’l adds that the mitzvah of לכם הזה החודש was given to the Jewish nation when they were in Mitzrayim, at the 49th gate of impurity. Even at that lowly place, Hashem told them they could start anew.
