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By the light of the moon

Written by d fine

The Maharsha reveals a delightful little insight about kiddush levana, which we can use to explain the recital of Hallel on Rosh Chodesh.

Explaining Rav Yochanan’s statement (Sanhedrin 42a) that ‘one who blesses the month in its correct time is as if he is accepting the presence of the Shechinah,’ the Maharsha says that the moon’s monthly cycle is a symbol of our exile.

When the moon waxes and wanes each month, then returns to its full glory, this is a visual representation of the fact that despite our hard and bitter exile, we will once again be restored to our former glory and HaShem will redeem us.

Thus, our kiddush levana each month affirms our belief in the ultimate ge’ulah, and the time when we shall accept HaShem’s Presence. Perhaps this is also one reason why we say Hallel on Rosh Chodesh –

we are anticipating the simcha of the final redemption; ana HaShem hoshiya na. May the ge’ulah come speedily bimheirah beyomeinu.

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