Thank you
On the photo above: the Rebbe during “Kiddush Levanah”.
Once a month, as the moon waxes in the sky, we recite a special blessing called Kiddush Levanah (“the sanctification of the moon”), praising the Creator for one of the wonders of his Creation. Kiddush Levanah is recited at night, usually on Motzey Shabbat (Saturday night). Kiddush Levanah can be recited as early as three days after the new moon appears in the skies. However, according to the Kabbalah it is best to recite the blessing after the seventh day after the rebirth of the moon.
The Rebbe explains that Kiddush Levanah is directly associated with the Era of Geulah:
– Our Sages associate the moon’s periodic rebirth with the ultimate renewal the Jewish people will experience in the Era of the Redemption for the Jews “calculate their calendar according to the moon and resemble the moon.” (Cf. Sukkah 29a, Shir HaShirim Rabbah 6:4.)
Just as the moon wanes and becomes concealed, for a certain time the Jewish people endure the darkness of exile. The shining of the moon anew each month, however, reassures us of the coming of the ultimate rebirth — the Redemption. More particularly, the Sages associate the moon with the Davidic dynasty.
This is borne out by the recitation of the phrase, “David, King of Israel, is living and enduring,” in the ceremony of the Sanctification of the Moon.
Thus the rebirth of the moon also reflects a promise of renewal for that dynasty, the shining forth of the light of Mashiach, who will be a descendant of King David (See Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Melachim 11:4.).
See Rabbeinu Bachaye, Parshas Vayeishev; Rama, Orach Chayim 426:2. Also, according to the Kabbalah both the moon and King David are associated with the Sefirah of Malchus.
Based on the Rebbe’s talk on Shabbos Parshas Noach, 5752.
