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Share(2) This month shall mark for you the beginning of the months; it shall be the first of the months of the year for you.
-New Moon - Tabula Rasa, blank slate transition; so many possibilities
-Structure and order after a time of chaos in Egypt
-Sign of freedom (control over time)
-Shared calendars unite a people, transcends physical distance
- Rabbi Yitzḥak said to Rav Naḥman: Why did the Master not come to the synagogue to pray? Rav Naḥman said to him: I was weak and unable to come.
- Rabbi Yitzḥak said to him: Let the Master gather ten and pray. Rav Naḥman said to him: It is difficult for me.
- Rabbi Yitzḥak suggested another option: The Master should tell the congregation to send a messenger when the congregation is praying to come and inform the Master.
- Rav Nachman asked: What is the reason for all this?
- Rabbi Yitzḥak said to him: As Rabbi Yoḥanan said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: What is the meaning of that which is written: “But as for me, let my prayer be unto You, Lord, in a time of favor; O God, in the abundance of Your mercy, answer me with the truth of Your salvation” (Psalms 69:14)? When is a time of favor? It is at the time when the congregation is praying.
(with thanks to Rabbi Gabe Greenberg)
-Despite physical distance, one can still feel connected to community through synchrony. Rosh Chodesh unites us through months/seasons/holidays. But Jewish Law allows us to connect by the very minute. Intentionally doing actions at the exact same time as the rest of the community, with or without Zoom, regardless of what does after those actions, can be a moment of connection with the collective.
https://www.chabad.org/calendar/candlelighting_cdo/aid/6226/locationid/10025/locationtype/2/jewish/Shabbat-Candle-Lighting-Times.htm
Rava said: The person who lost track of Shabbat and treats one day a week as Shabbat, each day he makes enough food to sustain himself, except for that day which he designated as Shabbat. The Gemara asks: And on that day let him die? Rather, it means that the day before he makes twice the amount of food that he prepared on the other days to sustain him for that day and the following day. The Gemara asks: And perhaps the day before was actually Shabbat? In that case, not only did he perform labor on Shabbat, but he also performed labor on Shabbat in preparation for a weekday. Rather, on each and every day he makes enough food to sustain himself for that day, including on that day that he designated as Shabbat. And if you ask: And how is that day which he designated as Shabbat distinguishable from the rest? It is distinguishable by means of the kiddush and the havdala that he recites on that day.
