Opinion: What women can learn from the moon

In my view

By Gila Jedwab

Issue of Jan. 29, 2010 / 14 Shvat 5770

Recently I was asked to speak at Shalhevet High School for Girls about what it is like to be a professional woman. The school invites someone to speak every month as part of their Rosh Chodesh program. Being asked was an honor and it was wonderful to meet these eager and attentive young women. But in the end, I think I got much more out of the experience than them. Let me explain.

When I sat down to write my speech I figured I would start with describing what my life is like: balancing the love for my career with the love for my kids and husband. I explained the road I took to get where I am today and how the girls should tune into their gut feelings when making big life decisions. I also knew that I wanted to add a D’var Torah somewhere in my speech. So I started researching the reasons why Rosh Chodesh is set aside as a special day for women.

So, what did I do? I Googled. There were hundreds of hits.

After much surfing, I found three reasons why Rosh Chodesh is a women’s holiday.

In the Midrash Pirkei d’Rabi Eliezer, it says that during the incident of the Golden Calf, the women refused to relinquish their jewelry to the men who were building the calf. As a reward, G-d gave them an extra holiday each month that is free from work.

In this interpretation, the women are rewarded with a holiday because of their independence and wisdom in the face of an inappropriate request. Women of today possess those same strengths; it is our direct lineage. We can make strong decisions during difficult and challenging times in our lives. I told the girls at Shalhevet never to forget that.

The second reason Rosh Chodesh is a women’s holiday is that when the Jews in the desert gave their most beautiful materials for the making of the Mishkan the women donated before the men. The Torah says that “the men gathered upon the women” implying that the women were quicker to come with their gifts. Therefore, women refrain from working on Rosh Chodesh in honor of their generosity and zealousness. Those are two more intrinsic capabilities that come naturally to women.

The third reason Rosh Chodesh is a women’s holiday is simple. Women and the moon have a lot in common. The word moon in Hebrew is itself female. The moon and women both revolve around cycles.

Then I read something that sparked a connection in my brain. I was overcome with a feeling of excitement. I know what it is like to give birth to babies, but this was my first time giving birth to an original Torah thought. In other words, I had a chiddush!

In the Talmud Bavli, the story is brought down that when the world was created the sun and moon were equal in size. After her creation, the moon pointed out to G-d a fundamental problem: how can two beings of light be equally important? There would be no way to make a distinction between them. In the moon’s argument to G-d she does not offer a solution, but merely asks a question. Instead of answering her, G-d commands the moon to make herself smaller, implying that one luminary does in fact have to be bigger. But the moon complains that this decision is unjust, and no matter what other gifts and enticements she is offered, she refuses to give up her claim of equality. G-d is eventually forced to admit that the situation is unfair and commands a Korban Chatas [sin offering] be brought every month to atone for this injustice inflicted upon the moon.

However, the really good news is this: in the Yimos HaMoshiach [Days of the Messiah] the moon will be restored to her full size and equality. I once heard a shiur given by Mrs. Esther Wein in which she said that right before Moshiach [the Messiah] comes we would see changes in the world. These changes will be so obvious that they will signal that we are living in the days right before Moshiach.

We are living in a time when women are the most empowered they have ever been in history. Not that long ago, women could not go to school or vote or have a job outside the home. Just look at us today: we are doctors, lawyers, teachers, and presidents of countries. Every opportunity afforded to men is afforded equally to women. In my mind this can only mean one thing: it is a sign. It is a sign that we must be close to the Yimos HaMoshiach when the sun and moon will again be equal in size. So I told the girls not to be afraid of doing something big with their life. It just means Moshiach is coming. And whenever I may feel daunted or overwhelmed, it is this thought that keeps me inspired.

Gila Jedwab is a practicing dentist. She lives in Cedarhurst with her husband and four children. She can be reached via email at giladmd@msn.com.