Rosh Chodesh Av ✏️✏️✏️

Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av is coming this Shabbos. Think about it - the month that contains our greatest tragedy, that is our saddest, most painful month - is called Menachem Av - A Comforting Father. The theme of the month is a loving father consoling his beloved children after a devastating loss. The comfort is embedded in the pain.

Rav Tzadok Hakohen wrote that the Gemara (Pesachim 77a) says that Rosh Chodesh is called a mo'ed and bases it on Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av. This Rosh Chodesh has a power that no other day has. It is a light that is hidden, due to the galus that we are in. But when the darkness is removed we will see that this day has more light than any other day. (Pri Tzaddik, Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av) It says: גם חושך לא יחשיך ממך ולילה כיום יאיר כחשיכה כאורה

Even darkness will not obscure [anything] from You, and the night will light up like day; as darkness so is the light. (Tehillim 139:12)

The Chidushei HaRim explains the passuk as: Even when I'm in the dark, it's not darkness to me, because it's from You. This coming Shabbos is a holy day. The day inherently has tremendous light, but as of now, it's covered. It seems dark. But it's a different type of darkness. A darkness that is from a loving Father. It is a day that we can access the comfort we so badly need, both on a national level and on a personal level. 

Let's try connect as a child to our Father and let's feel His soothing comfort. 

May we be zoche to Rosh Chodesh Av being the true Mo'ed that is really is!

Let's Write!Sometimes in Av we feel guilty that we're distressed about things going on in our life when we're supposed to be distressed about the Beis Hamikdash. But really, all of our personal pain is a reflection of the destroyed Beis Hamikdash. This is the time that we not only have permission to feel our pain, we are meant to feel our pain. And when we cry, Hashem cries along with us...

1. Without thinking deeply, make a list of five things that are difficult for you right now.

2. Choose the one that touches you the most, set a timer for five minutes and just write all about it. Write what is hard, why it's hard and how it effects you.

3. Write a letter to Hashem, sharing your pain with Him. Tell Him the complete truth, no matter how it sounds. He wants to hear from You.

4. Write a letter from Hashem as a Comforting Father back to you.

5. Read it all over and write a reflection