Parsha Mitzvot: Bo: Mitzvah 4 – Concept 120

“This month shall be for you the head of all the months.” (Exodus 12:2)
The courts must calculate and determine upon which day each new month begins. (Rambam, Hilchot Kiddush Hachodesh)

Shemot Rabbah describes a king, who, upon betrothal to the girl he plans to marry, guarantees her a few gifts in writing. By the time he actually marries her however,  he showers her with gifts far in excess of anything he had promised.

Our relationship with the Almighty is compared to that of the betrothed; however, once the Messianic  age will dawn, we will be truly “wed” to God, and He will hand over everything to us.

In Hosea (2:21-22), Israel appears merely as betrothed to God, whereas in Isaiah (54:5) God is referred to as “your Maker is your husband.”

Upon departure from Egypt, Israel merely received the moon, whereas in Daniel (12:3) with reference to the Messianic age it says, “And they that are wise will shine like the brightness of the sky, and they that turn the many to righteousness, will be as the stars forever and ever.”

This Mitzvah is a hint to what will be ours in the future! (Akeidat Yitzchak, Gate 37)