Last week, while studying a composition written by the Shem Mishmuel – Reb Shmuel of Sochachov – I came across an idea that broadened and deepened my understanding of Torah and I wish to share it with you.
Each of the twelve lunar months has a name. For example, our current month is called Iyar. In addition, each month has its own Mazal symbol, a unique letter and tribe associated with it, a color, and a name that describes the personality of the month.
The personality of Iyar is called Ziv – which means to shine. The Shem Mishmuel asks: It would seem that the first month, Nisan, during which we emerged as a nation as we were freed from Egypt, would seem more appropriate to be called Ziv, since in that month we shined brilliantly when we were miraculously freed from Egypt. Why is the following month depicted as Ziv – to shine?
The Shem Mishmuel introduces a fantastic idea. When the sun and moon are close together, for example at the beginning of the month, the moon is only partially visible. However, when they become farther apart the illumination of the moon becomes greater.
Indeed Nisan is the pinnacle of all months and it is invested with great spirituality capacity.
However, as time passes from Nisan and we enter the space of Iyar, we move farther away from Nisan and our assessment of what we gained from Pesach grows and Nisan’s light shines brighter on us. It is therefore appropriate for Iyar to be called Ziv – shine – because what we accomplished in Nisan gets brighter!
We find this concept in perceiving spiritual matters as well. The Torah tells us that when G-d appeared to Moshe at the Burning Bush, Moshe noticed the phenomenon of the fire not consuming the bush. The Torah tells us that Moshe said “Asurah Nah,” – let me turn to see. Rashi understands this that Moshe drew closer to see. However, the Kli Yakar explains that the word Asurah, can mean, “Let me turn away.” Moshe said, “Let me move away so I can see it more clearly.”
Similarly it is impossible to stare at the sun at high noon. However, when the sun is distant, heading towards sunset for example, it is more observable.
The Prophet Jeremiah tells us, “From a distance G-d is seen upon me.” Which means the more one surrenders and humbles themselves to the Almighty, G-dliness is more apparent to him.
Take our leader Moshe for example, the Torah attests that he was the most humble of all mankind, yet he required a veil to be placed over his face because the spiritual shine on his face was so bright.
Interestingly, the Talmud compares Moshe to the sun, and his student and successor, Yehoshua, is compared to the glow of the moon. Although this means that Yehoshua was just a reflection of all that Moshe taught him, we may say that when Yehoshua led the Jews into Israel and cemented his leadership, the shine of his teacher Moshe became that much more apparent.
There are two ideas, one is taking a step back – so one can see and perceive things more clearly, and two, when one shies away with humility, G-dliness becomes more apparent to him.
The concept of stepping back and assessing one’s situation, more often than not, gives a person a new perspective on their situation and allows one to realize the ‘hidden’ blessings they have.
This week’s Parsha is host to the Torah’s description and commands regarding Shabbos and the festivals of the year. The Torah links the upcoming holiday of Shavuos with Pesach, as the date of Shavuos is only determined by a 49 day Omer count from the second day of Pesach.
The way we count the Omer is not like a countdown 49, 48, 47…days left to Shavuos. Rather, we count upward. “Today is the 32nd day, which is four weeks and four days of the Omer count.”
This way of counting is significant because when we count forward we reflect that each passing day is not just a thing of the past, rather, it is what boosted us to get to this day.
By considering the glow and brightness coming from all the good we did and accomplished, we effectively live each day with hopefulness and positivity that G-d will bring us success and satisfaction in our life’s endeavors!
