ChaBaD Jewish Calendar Times Tuesday, February 21, 2023 30 Shevat, 5783
ChaBaD Jewish Calendar Times Tuesday, February 21, 2023 30 Shevat, 5783
Today is the first of the two Rosh Chodesh ("Head of the Month") days for the month of Adar (when a month has 30 days, both the last day of the month and the first day of the following month serve as the following month's Rosh Chodesh).
Special portions are added to the daily prayers: Hallel (Psalms 113-118) is recited -- in its "partial" form -- following the Shacharit morning prayer, and the Yaaleh V'yavo prayer is added to the Amidah and to Grace After Meals; the additional Musaf prayer is said (when Rosh Chodesh is Shabbat, special additions are made to the Shabbat Musaf). Tachnun (confession of sins) and similar prayers are omitted.
Many have the custom to mark Rosh Chodesh with a festive meal and reduced work activity. The latter custom is prevalent amongst women, who have a special affinity with Rosh Chodesh -- the month being the feminine aspect of the Jewish Calendar.
Links: The 29th Day; The Lunar Files
To an astrobiologist:
A black hole was once a fiery sun. But then its fire went out. Eventually, it collapsed upon itself, rendering it a mass of tremendous density.
And now, a star that once shone brightly holds its light within, even pulling in any surrounding light. In the place of light, a star now creates darkness.
A person, too, may end up a black hole: Someone who is meant to shine and teach others—but has burned out and collapsed inward, absorbed in his own self.
Now, rather than shining light for others, he dampens all light, energy and wisdom that passes his way, causing a greater and greater darkness.
We live in times when every one of us can be as brilliant as the sun. The universe has enough black holes. You have light. Shine it for us.
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