Moons And The Universe

When we observe the moon, we know its light is reflected of, and thus less bright than, the sun.  Every month we watch it fade each night for more than two weeks before it begins to return to its former not-so-bright brightness.

Each month, while the moon is still young but has gained reasonable substance (ideally between the third and seventh of the month), we say Kiddush Levana, “Blessing” (making/recognizing the holiness) of the Moon. Part of the service prays that The Creator restores the moon to its original brightness (before it was diminished–but that’s a separate teaching). It continues, וִיהִי אוֹר הַלְּבָנָה כְּאוֹר הַחַמָּה וּכְאוֹר שִׁבְעַת יְמֵי בְרֵאשִׁית, “May the light of the moon become like the light of the sun, and the light of the seven days of Creation.”

For us to be able the witness the light of the moon become as bright as the sun is in our times would violate every law of nature. For the moon to reflect that much light, the sun would have to radiate proportionally more light which would certainly make all life on earth, including ourselves to observe, impossible.

Perhaps when we make this prayer, we imagine a world that exists at a higher level of reality than the one bound by nature to which we’re accustomed.

As we ascend to reach the highest realms, these highest realms race down to join us.

Pesach approaches.

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6 Responses to Moons And The Universe

  1. Mr. Cohen says:

    “All are asked to daven and say Tehillim for Tziporah bat Avigayil and Avigayil bat Tziporah, who both jumped from second-floor widows to escape and were treated for burns and smoke inhalation.”

  2. Mr. Cohen says:

    Why Muslims hate Israel?
    (priceless honesty in 1 minute 29 second video from MEMRI TV dot org)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC0EqKI_Obs

  3. I enjoyed your post on the Moon very much. Poetic.

    In reflecting on the difference between the light of the sun and the light of the moon, the light of the moon is always in flux – but the wonder that we feel when the moon is full can sometimes (if we are focusing) outstrip the wonder that we feel at the light of the sun – not because it is less splendid in its own way, but because it is so fleeting.

    The fullness of reflecting the light of Hashem, for us, is also fleeting – but in its growth as it becomes evident – it engenders a prayer of joy
    So is the full moon at its most complete radiance, magical. Illuminating our miracles.
    Pesach approaches.

    Elissa Yaffe

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