A WORD from the Director
INSIGHTS
This Shabbos we read Parshas HaChodesh. There is a known dictum from the Baal Shem Tov, that everything can provide a lesson, understandably this too must provide us with an eternal lesson in service to G-d.
Parshas HaChodesh speaks of the sanctification of the new month. This corresponds to service in a new manner (“Chodesh” meaning “new”). This is seen from the fact that on Rosh Chodesh Nissan (about which it is said “this month shall be for you” — which is the reading of Parshas HaChodesh) they began to offer the congregational sacrifices from the new donations. That is, not only is one's service in the manner of “rising in holiness,” but it is a completely new service, infinitely greater than before.
The lesson from this in service to G-d: A Jew must know that from the perspective of his essence he is above the world, for his soul is “hewed from under the Throne of Glory” — and even higher. On the other hand, he must realize that his soul has descended “from a high roof to a deep pit” — to this physical world, for the purpose of revealing, through his service, G-dliness also in the “deep pit.” Thus a Jew need not be affected by the concealments and obstacles in the world, for from the perspective of his essence, he transcends the world.
Nevertheless, also this service follows prior service — Shabbos Parshas HaChodesh follows Shabbos Parshas Parah, the latter being the idea of purification from undesirable things. Before that is Shabbos Parshas Zachor, the idea of eliminating obstacles from one's service to G-d. Prior to that is Shabbos Parshas Shekalim, which is the service of giving the “half-shekel,” symbolizing the idea of atonement. It is only after the prior preparation of the above services that we can attain the service of Parshas HaChodesh — completely new service, infinitely greater than before.
