HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Women & Rosh Chodesh The Midrash Pirkei D’Rabbi Eliezer [siman 45] relates that the women refused to participate in constructing the Golden Calf. As a reward for their behavior, G-d granted them special participation in the commemoration of Rosh Chodesh.
Why was Rosh Chodesh chosen as a reward? The Tur [Orech Chaim 417] writes that the three major festivals correspond to the three Patriarchs: Pesach and Avraham (who greeted the three angelic visitors on the fifteenth of Nissan); Shavuot and Yitzchak (The shofar blown at Mt. Sinai came from the ram that was substituted for Yitzchak at the Akeida); Sukkot and Yaakov (who established the location known as Sukkot). The twelve Roshei Chodesh were originally designated for the twelve tribes. When the men sinned with the Golden Calf some of the special commemoration of these days was taken away from them and given to the women.
Rabbi Yitzchak ben Moshe of Vienna, in his work, Or Zarua [2:454] writes that like the moon that renews itself once a month on Rosh Chodesh, a married woman renews herself to her husband after going to the mikva. Therefore, Rosh Chodesh was designated as a woman’s holiday.
What special commemoration of Rosh Chodesh was assigned to women? The Shulchan Aruch [Orech Chaim 417:1] writes that although one is permitted to perform ‘melacha’ on Rosh Chodesh, the custom, of women who do not do melacha is a “minhag tov”. The Rama adds that customary practice determines which melachot are included in the minhag.
Is this custom to refrain from melacha mandatory? According to the Bach, [ibid.] the minhag is designed as a leniency for women. A woman who wishes to perform melacha may certainly do so. However, a husband cannot demand that his wife do melacha on Rosh Chodesh. Rabbenu Chananel posited that this minhag of not doing melacha was optional, although it appears to be recommended. Most authorities, however, are of the opinion that refraining from at least some melacha is mandatory [Biur Halacha 417].
Later authorities mention several exceptions to this minhag. According to the Aruch Hashulchan [ibid. note 10] women did not accept the custom in circumstances that would cause a loss of income. R. Yaakov Emden [see Biur Halacha 417] writes that the custom is to be lenient when the melacha is performed privately. Similarly, the custom is to be lenient regarding “light work”. When there are two days of Rosh Chodesh, some have a custom to be lenient on the first day. [Mishna Brurah 417:4] DVAR TORAH At the beginning of this week's parasha we find G-d issuing important instructions to Moshe and Aharon as they set out to tell Pharaoh to release the Jewish people. Rashi, records the midrash that part of G-d's instruction to Moshe and Aharon was to be very sensitive and accord Pharaoh the honor and respect due to a king, even during these difficult negotiations.
Which, according to the midrash, they did. For example, although Pharaoh repeatedly slighted Moshe, Moshe always responded with great restraint. Even following the plague of darkness, when Moshe knew what would happen, he did not tell Pharaoh that the day would soon arrive when the mighty king himself would beg to free the Jews, but rather that Pharaoh’s servants would do so - all to preserve the dignity of a king.
From this midrash, Rabbi Leib Chasman, the late mashgiach of the Chevron Yeshiva, noted the importance of extending honor and dignity to all human beings – even to those we do not agree with. For if Pharaoh, one of the greatest enemies we have ever faced, deserved honor, how much more so do others, Jew and non-Jew deserve our respect and honor!
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MAZAL TOV * to Azi and Shari Feifel on the birth of granddaughter, Lielle Malka. The proud parents are Adir and Adi Feifel, Modiin, Israel. * to Nosson and Menucha Robeson the marriage of their granddaughter. * to Eliezer and Ahuva Friedman on the birth of a daughter. * to Ari and Sarah Nussbaum on the birth of a son. Mazal Tov to grandparents Michael & Suzy Nussbaum and Abe and Debbie Bajtner. * to Ayelet and Eli Kleinman on the birth of a son. Mazal tov to grandparents, Alan and Jodi Gershman, and great grandparents, Sheldon and Toby Kirshner. REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Etai Rimel – Etai Yaakov ben Tzipporah, who is recovering in rehab.
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KINS North Kiddush is sponsored by Steve and Linda Lavenda, in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Linda’s father, William Levy Baker z’l. and by Ari and Sarah Nussbaum in honor of the birth of their son.
Early Minyan Kiddush is sponsored by Jim and Meira Mainzer in honor of Shabbat Mevarchim and in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Jim’s father, Lewis Mainzer z’l.
Early Minyan Kiddush last week was co-sponsored by Jack Shlomo in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of his father Shalom ben Yaakov z’l.
Father/Son Learning this week is sponsored by Rabbi Sam and Mimi Sileski in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Sam’s grandfather, Shmaya Scheiner, שמעיה בן מרדכי ז"ל
A donation to the Learning Fund was made by: Leo and Sylvia Feigenbaum in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of their grandmother, Mrs. Rose Estreicher z’l. The Day of Learning, Tuesday, January 4th, is sponsored by Rabbi Sam and Mimi Sileski in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Sam’s grandfather, Shmaya Scheiner, שמעיה בן מרדכי ז"ל
BIRTHDAYS Dr. Lenny Levitt (1/1) Mr. Nechemia Gershman (1/2) Mrs. Aviva Matanky (1/3) Mrs. Sharon Chambers (1/4) Eden Medow (1/4) Mrs. Elaine Semer (1/4) Mrs. Sarah Ungar (1/4) Aharon Levitt (1/6) Ezra Isenberg (1/7) Mr. Mordechai Smith (1/7)
ANNIVERSARIES Zevi and Yonit David (1/3)
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