ECLIPSE AND REBIRTH

Next Monday, a total eclipse of the sun will be visible in North America. On Monday evening, as the month of Nisan begins, a partial eclipse will be visible over parts of the UK.

The coincidence of an eclipse with Rosh Chodesh or the New Moon is obvious. Every month, the moon passes between the earth and the sun. Because the moon’s orbit is 5 degrees from the sun-earth plane, although the moon becomes invisible, the sun can still be seen. On the infrequent occasions when the three bodies are aligned, a total or partial eclipse will occur. Astronomy can predict with complete accuracy when the moon will block out the sun and an eclipse will happen. Nevertheless, as Jews, it is a reminder of the significance of the moon in our lives. 

This Shabbat, is Shabbat Mevarchim, when we bless the new month and announce when Rosh Chodesh will occur. It is also Parashat HaChodesh, the fourth of the special Shabbatot in the month before Pesach. We take out a second Sefer Torah and read a Maftir portion from Shemot chapter 12. It is an account of the very first mitzva given to the Children of Israel: to set the Jewish calendar according to the monthly birth of the new moon. The message of a regular Shabbat Mevarchim is given extra focus in the Maftir dealing with the source of our lunar calendar.

The Maftir passage occurs in the Torah after the plague of darkness. Darkness. What would that have meant to an Egyptian? The greatest god in the Egyptian pantheon was Ra, the sun god. The name of the Pharaoh often associated with the Exodus was Ramses II, which means ‘son of Ra.’ Egypt – so its people believed – was ruled by the sun. Its ruler was semi-divine, the child of the sun god. In obliterating the sun in the ninth plague, G-d demonstrated the absolute power over Ra and any other idol in the pantheon.

Setting the Jewish calendar based on the moon is a strong statement, completely distancing ourselves from any Egyptian outlook.

Our Sages (Midrash Shemot Rabbah 18:26) saw a deeper meaning. Unlike the sun which gives off a steady light, the moon waxes and wanes in cycles. So too, throughout history, we, the Jewish people, also wax and wane. We were redeemed from Egypt and received the Torah but sinned with the golden calf and the ten spies. We entered Israel and built the Temple, but it was destroyed, and we went into exile. We built a second Temple only for it to be destroyed again. During the long exile, we have waxed and waned in the lands of dispersion. After the terrible darkness of the Holocaust, we have shone brightly in the State of Israel. We know that our current state of darkness will pass. Just like the moon, light will shine for us again.

Our prayers for the coming month therefore take on a profound urgency. May the month of Nisan, a month of redemption, see our hostages released, an end to war and the suffering of innocent lives. May the new moon signal a time of rebirth for our people.