- Q. As I mentioned before, I also wonder why the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh is titled “Shabbat Mevorchim” and not the one before Rosh Hashana?
A. The reason mentioned by Poskim in Shulchan Oruch (O.H. 284:7) is that after the reading of the Torah, we announce the upcoming of the new month in a special Tefila, so people will become aware of the new coming month, of its name and the special days, occasions and Yomim Tovim it contains.
The Magen Avraham explains that this is based on the verse, “Blow the shofar at the new moon, at the covering for the day of our holiday.” (Tehillim 81:4). Unlike other holidays, which are either at the full moon (Peisach, Sukkos) or at least when the moon has begun to appear (Shavuos), Rosh Hashana, the holiday on which we blow the shofar, happens at the beginning of the month when the moon is entirely or almost completely covered, so it is well noted.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu, Horav Kalman Ochs and Horav Dovid Bartfeld quoting Horav Berkovits Shlit’a .
Important Numbers
