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    Your new moons – Pinchas

    A lengthy passage in the sidra deals with the laws of Shabbat, the festivals and Rosh Chodesh.

    All these calendar occasions became beloved companions of the Jewish people as they moved through the year. None was more important than another; all brought richness, excitement and symbolism to Jewish life.

    But Sforno points out there must have been some extra special link between the Jewish people and Rosh Chodesh, because the Torah says, “On your new moons…” (Num. 28:11), and the word “your” is not used in relation to the other festivals.

    One explanation is that Jewish experience was like the moon – small in size but immense in its contribution to the world; often thought to have waned but always renewing itself; and never completely independent.

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