Lessons by Rabbi Eliezer Melamed

20 Lessons

Peninei Halakha

18. The Proper Time for Birkat Ha-levana

Many Rishonim maintain that the time for reciting Birkat Ha-levana begins on the first day the moon is visible. Several poskim, however, posit that it is preferable to wait until the moon grows somewhat, when it is possible to benefit from its light.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Elul 11 5781

Rosh Chodesh

17. Seeing the New Moon

We recite Birkat Ha-levana over the new moon at night, because that is when it is clearly visible and one can benefit from its light. If one recites the berakha when the moon is covered by clouds he has not fulfilled his obligation, because he cannot benefit from its light.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Av 17 5781

Rosh Chodesh

16. The Laws of Reciting Birkat Ha-levana Joyously

Because of the lofty idea that the moon’s renewal represents, Birkat Ha-levana has been hallowed to the point that one who recites it is viewed as if he is greeting the Shekhina (Divine Presence).

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Av 16 5781

Rosh Chodesh

15. The Meaning of Birkat Ha-levana

In Birkat Ha-levana (the Berakha of the Moon), we thank God for creating the moon, from whose light we benefit at night.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Av 16 5781

Rosh Chodesh

14. Torah Reading and Musaf

In honor of Rosh Ĥodesh we call up four people to the Torah. The passage that we read first describes the daily burnt offering, followed by the special Rosh Ĥodesh offerings.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Av 16 5781

Rosh Chodesh

13. Customs Related to Reciting Hallel

One must stand while reciting Hallel, One should not interrupt one’s recitation of Hallel, The Sages ordained that it is proper that one recite Hallel immediately following the Amida of Shaĥarit.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Av 14 5781

Rosh Chodesh

12. Hallel on Rosh Hodesh

There is a widespread custom to recite Hallel on Rosh Ĥodesh. Technically there is no obligation to do so.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Av 14 5781

Rosh Chodesh

11. Ya’aleh Ve-yavo in Birkat Ha-mazon

One must recite Ya’aleh Ve-yavo in Birkat Ha-mazon as well. Even though one is not obligated to eat a festive meal on Rosh Ĥodesh, one must mention Rosh Ĥodesh when reciting Birkat Ha-mazon because of the importance of the day, on which the musaf offering was brought.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Av 14 5781

Rosh Chodesh

10. Ya’aleh Ve-yavo in the Amida

The unique nature of Rosh Ĥodesh must find expression in our prayers. Therefore, the Sages prescribed that we recite the Ya’aleh Ve-yavo prayer, in which we beseech God to remember us for good on Rosh Ĥodesh.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Av 13 5781

Rosh Chodesh

9. Yom Kippur Katan: A Time of Atonement

Rosh Ĥodesh is a time of atonement. In order to make this atonement complete, pious Jews customarily repent in for the time leading up to Rosh Ĥodesh. Some people fast on the day before Rosh Ĥodesh and recite special Yom Kippur Katan prayers prior to the Minĥa service.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Av 13 5781

Peninei Halakha

8. Shabbat Mevarkhim

On the Shabbat preceding Rosh Ĥodesh (known as Shabbat Mevarkhim), it is customary to announce when Rosh Ĥodesh will take place and recite Birkat Ha-ĥodesh (“blessing the new month”), a prayer that God “renew this month for us and for all His people, the house of Israel, for good and blessing.”

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Av 13 5781

Rosh Chodesh

7. The Custom for Women to Refrain from Working on Rosh Hodesh

One may work on Rosh Ĥodesh. Ideally, though, one should not do so, as is the law on Ĥol Ha-mo’ed. The rule is that the holier the day, the more it is designated for holy endeavors, and the more one should limit his involvement in work.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Sivan 30 5781

Rosh Chodesh

5. The Status of Rosh Hodesh in the Torah

The Torah lists Rosh Ĥodesh together with all the other festivals on which we bring Musafim (additional offerings) in honor of the day’s sanctity.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Sivan 28 5781

Rosh Chodesh

6. Festive Meals on Rosh Hodesh and the Prohibition to Fast or Grieve

Rosh Hodesh is one of the holidays on which it is appropriate to rejoice. However, there is no explicit commandment to rejoice on Rosh Ĥodesh by conducting festive meals.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Sivan 28 5781

4. Rosh Hodesh – One Day or Two?

When a month is incomplete (29 days), the following Rosh Ĥodesh is observed for one day. When it is full (thirty days), the following Rosh Ĥodesh lasts two days: the thirtieth day of the previous month and the first day of the next month.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Sivan 19 5781

Peninei Halakha

3. The History of the Sanctification of the Moon

The Sages of Eretz Yisrael retained the authority to sanctify months and intercalate years, as it says, “For Torah shall come forth from Zion”.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Sivan 19 5781

Rosh Chodesh

2. The Authority to Set the Months Was Entrusted to Israel

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”.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Sivan 16 5781

Rosh Chodesh

1. The Jewish Month

Read the laws of Rosh Ĥodesh from "Peninei Halakha"

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Sivan 14 5781

Rosh Chodesh

The Sanctity of the New Moon

On the Sabbath before the New Moon there is a custom to announce the day (or days) of the week on which it will fall, and to recite a blessing, "that God should renew this coming month for us and the entire Jewish people for goodness and blessing."

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5765

Rosh Chodesh

A Time for Atonement and Forgiveness

Rosh Chodesh is a good time for self-renewal, and it therefore brings a special sense of joy. But the joy of Rosh Chodesh is not expressed outwardly as is the case with Jewish holidays. We must make an effort to absorb the sanctity of Rosh Chodesh.

Beit Midrash

18. The Proper Time for Birkat Ha-levana

Many Rishonim maintain that the time for reciting Birkat Ha-levana begins on the first day the moon is visible. Several poskim, however, posit that it is preferable to wait until the moon grows somewhat, when it is possible to benefit from its light.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Elul 11 5781

17. Seeing the New Moon

We recite Birkat Ha-levana over the new moon at night, because that is when it is clearly visible and one can benefit from its light. If one recites the berakha when the moon is covered by clouds he has not fulfilled his obligation, because he cannot benefit from its light.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Av 17 5781

16. The Laws of Reciting Birkat Ha-levana Joyously

Because of the lofty idea that the moon’s renewal represents, Birkat Ha-levana has been hallowed to the point that one who recites it is viewed as if he is greeting the Shekhina (Divine Presence).

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Av 16 5781

15. The Meaning of Birkat Ha-levana

In Birkat Ha-levana (the Berakha of the Moon), we thank God for creating the moon, from whose light we benefit at night.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Av 16 5781

14. Torah Reading and Musaf

In honor of Rosh Ĥodesh we call up four people to the Torah. The passage that we read first describes the daily burnt offering, followed by the special Rosh Ĥodesh offerings.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Av 16 5781

13. Customs Related to Reciting Hallel

One must stand while reciting Hallel, One should not interrupt one’s recitation of Hallel, The Sages ordained that it is proper that one recite Hallel immediately following the Amida of Shaĥarit.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Av 14 5781

12. Hallel on Rosh Hodesh

There is a widespread custom to recite Hallel on Rosh Ĥodesh. Technically there is no obligation to do so.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Av 14 5781

11. Ya’aleh Ve-yavo in Birkat Ha-mazon

One must recite Ya’aleh Ve-yavo in Birkat Ha-mazon as well. Even though one is not obligated to eat a festive meal on Rosh Ĥodesh, one must mention Rosh Ĥodesh when reciting Birkat Ha-mazon because of the importance of the day, on which the musaf offering was brought.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Av 14 5781

10. Ya’aleh Ve-yavo in the Amida

The unique nature of Rosh Ĥodesh must find expression in our prayers. Therefore, the Sages prescribed that we recite the Ya’aleh Ve-yavo prayer, in which we beseech God to remember us for good on Rosh Ĥodesh.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Av 13 5781

9. Yom Kippur Katan: A Time of Atonement

Rosh Ĥodesh is a time of atonement. In order to make this atonement complete, pious Jews customarily repent in for the time leading up to Rosh Ĥodesh. Some people fast on the day before Rosh Ĥodesh and recite special Yom Kippur Katan prayers prior to the Minĥa service.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Av 13 5781

8. Shabbat Mevarkhim

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Av 13 5781

7. The Custom for Women to Refrain from Working on Rosh Hodesh

One may work on Rosh Ĥodesh. Ideally, though, one should not do so, as is the law on Ĥol Ha-mo’ed. The rule is that the holier the day, the more it is designated for holy endeavors, and the more one should limit his involvement in work.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Sivan 30 5781

5. The Status of Rosh Hodesh in the Torah

The Torah lists Rosh Ĥodesh together with all the other festivals on which we bring Musafim (additional offerings) in honor of the day’s sanctity.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Sivan 28 5781

6. Festive Meals on Rosh Hodesh and the Prohibition to Fast or Grieve

Rosh Hodesh is one of the holidays on which it is appropriate to rejoice. However, there is no explicit commandment to rejoice on Rosh Ĥodesh by conducting festive meals.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Sivan 28 5781

4. Rosh Hodesh – One Day or Two?

When a month is incomplete (29 days), the following Rosh Ĥodesh is observed for one day. When it is full (thirty days), the following Rosh Ĥodesh lasts two days: the thirtieth day of the previous month and the first day of the next month.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Sivan 19 5781

3. The History of the Sanctification of the Moon

The Sages of Eretz Yisrael retained the authority to sanctify months and intercalate years, as it says, “For Torah shall come forth from Zion”.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Sivan 19 5781

2. The Authority to Set the Months Was Entrusted to Israel

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”.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Sivan 16 5781

1. The Jewish Month

Read the laws of Rosh Ĥodesh from "Peninei Halakha"

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Sivan 14 5781

The Sanctity of the New Moon

On the Sabbath before the New Moon there is a custom to announce the day (or days) of the week on which it will fall, and to recite a blessing, "that God should renew this coming month for us and the entire Jewish people for goodness and blessing."

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5765

A Time for Atonement and Forgiveness

Rosh Chodesh is a good time for self-renewal, and it therefore brings a special sense of joy. But the joy of Rosh Chodesh is not expressed outwardly as is the case with Jewish holidays. We must make an effort to absorb the sanctity of Rosh Chodesh.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5766