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Beit Midrash
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A new month does not automatically begin when the moon reappears. Rather, the beit din sanctifies the month, as it says, "This month shall mark for you" (Shemot 12:2). God showed Moshe the configuration of the moon in its renewed state and said, "This testimony shall be given over to you" (rh 22a). That is, witnesses must come before you and testify that they saw the new moon, and you shall sanctify the month based on their testimony.[1]
After Moshe’s death, the authority to establish the Jewish calendar was conferred upon the Beit Din Ha-gadol of every generation (the high Jewish court that functioned in earlier times; the Sanhedrin), on condition that its judges received semikha (rabbinic ordination) from another who has received semikha in an unbroken chain that originates with Moshe himself. Such ordination can only be transmitted in the Land of Israel (mt, Laws of Courts 4). If a time comes when the Jews are unable to set the months by way of a beit din, the halakha states that they must do so using mathematical calculations.
Thus, even though the lunar cycle is a natural phenomenon, the renewal of the moon does not, by itself, sanctify the month. Rather, the Jewish people sanctify the months, and by doing so enable the holiness of time to reveal itself. This explains why the Sages decided to end the middle berakha of the Musaf prayer on Rosh Ĥodesh with the words "Blessed are You, Lord, Who sanctifies Israel and the New Moons" (Ber. 49a). Perhaps this is also why the first mitzva the Torah commanded the Jewish people was the mitzva of sanctifying the new month (Shemot 12:2), as this mitzva showcases Israel’s unique sanctity – that the holiness of time reveals itself through them.
[1] If witnesses who saw the new moon on the night of the thirtieth day of the month come before the beit din the next day, the court sanctifies the month on that day, transforming the thirtieth day of the previous month into the first day of the new month: Rosh Ĥodesh. They then immediately offer the special Rosh Ĥodesh sacrifices. Consequently, the previous month is rendered an "incomplete month," as it had only 29 days. If, however, no witnesses arrive on the thirtieth, Rosh Ĥodesh is the next day – the 31st – and the previous month is rendered a "full month," consisting of a full thirty days. In such a case, the beit din does not need to hear witnesses’ testimony or declare the beginning of the new month, as in any case there are only two days on which Rosh Ĥodesh can possibly occur; if no witnesses come on the first day, Rosh Ĥodesh automatically falls out on the next day (mt, Laws of Sanctifying the Month 2:8).
Rabbis in Midrash
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
