Two astronauts went to the moon and when they crawled out of their spaceship, it was a sight to behold. However, in the distance, they spotted a teepee tent and an Indian sitting near a fire. They approached the native said, “Hello! We’re from planet Earth!” The native, with a scared look, says, “Oh no! Not again.”
Reaching the moon and flying into outer space may be the dream of many. However, in Judaism just looking at the moon is a commandment. Being that our monthly calendar depends on the moon cycle, we are always looking up into outer space.
For the first 15 days of the month the moon appears to our eyes, as getting bigger. That is until the 15th when the moon reaches it’s peak size. After that, it begins to diminishes and nearly vanishes from our sight. Being that the 15th is when דקיימא סיהרא באשלמותא, the moon is the greatest, the number 15 has great significance in our history.
King Solomon was considered the greatest king and most powerful one in our history. He was the 15th in lineage since the first Jew – Avraham.
1) Avraham 2) Isaac 3) Jacob 4) Judah 5) Peretz 6) Chetztron 7) Rom 8) Aminadav 9) Nachshon 10) Shelmon 11) Boaz 12) Oved 13) Yishai 14) King David 15) King Solomon.
Now, every 15th of the month is special. However, there is something even more special about the 15th of this month, the month of Av. It follows the sad day of Tisha-Be-Av when our Temple was destroyed. There is no greater ascent after following rock bottom. We lost our land, our respect, and our glory. After such a calamity we can only go up.
That is why the 15th of Av is so special. It is this Wednesday. Plan a special gathering with family, and friends and let us make this day special for the whole world. Let us pray that Moshiach comes, rebuilds our Temple, and we experience the best days of our lives.
