Tishrei Newsletter 5784

The Seventh Month
In the Torah, this month is always referred to by its sequential number: "the seventh month". For example, "on the first day of the seventh month, you shall have a Sabbath, a memorial of blowing trumpets" (Leviticus 23:24). The month is called "the seventh month" as it is the seventh month counting from Nissan, which is the first month in the Torah's calendar. 

Tishrei
The origin of the name Tishrei comes from the Babylonian word "Tishritum", meaning "to begin anew". However, this word is also influenced by Hebrew, as nearly all its letters are derived from the word "B'reshit" (Genesis, or, in the beginning), as in the verse, "In the beginning (B'reshit), God created the heavens and the earth". Furthermore, the Hebrew word for Torah also shares the same letters as Tishrei. For instance, "The land that Jehovah seeks; will always be in the sight of Jehovah your God from the beginning (me'reshit) of the year to the year's end" (Deuteronomy 11:12). This teaches us that "be'reshit" (Genesis or from the beginning) corresponds to Tishrei, with the letters "reshit" also found in Tishrei. 
Tishrei also alludes to the divine psalm through by which the world was created. The name "Tishrei" also reveals the order in which the letters were used to create the world. According to the Book of Creation (Sefer Yetzirah), the world was created using letters, and the order of their creation was Tav-Shin-Resh. This signifies that the creation did not start from the very beginning, but rather followed this specific sequence. 
The master Or Ahayim says, "Know that our sages have said that when the letters are in a proper order – Aleph, Bet, Gimmel (A,B,C) – they signify the attributes of mercy. However, when they are in a different order, such as Tav, Shin, Resh, they signify the attribute of judgment. Here is the sign for you: the month of Tishrei, which is the moment of judgment, the month of justice.. Nonetheless, God included one letter form the attribute of mercy, the Yud, to have mercy during the judgment". Tishrei is the time of the divine inspiration of the Divine Presence (Shechinah). 

Stalwarts Moon
According to the books of the Prophets, Tishrei is referred to as "the month of the steadfast", or "Stalwarts". The First Temple was inaugurated by King Solomon in the month of Tishrei, which is referred to as the month of the stalwarts. It is written: " And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto King Solomon at the feast, in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month (1 Kings 8:2). Who are the "Stalwarts"? One interpretation is that they are the patriarchs who were born in Tishrei. Another suggests that the "Stalwarts" refer to the downpour of rain, as during the month of Tishrei, there is mention of the almighty strength of the rain which thus begins. Yet another explanation says that "the steadfast" comes from the word "conditions" which God created the world in Tishrei. He made with His creations that they would accept the Torah and fulfill its commandments". God made certain conditions and limits with all What was created throughout the six days of Genesis. 

Cover
The name "Keseh" is given to Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) in the book of Psalms: " Sound the shofar on the New Moon, on the appointed time for the day of our festival." (Psalms 81:4). This term is also explained in Rashi's commentary and Rabbi Levi Ben Gershon's commentary in the verse "He took silver and gold that was found in the house of the Lord and in the treasures of the king's house and sent it to Hazael king of Syria; and he departed from Jerusalem" (2 Kings 12:19). Here, "the day of the throne" means the day of covering, signifying Rosh Hashanah. 
The Sun and the Moon bear witness to all the deeds of humanity. The appointed leaders in the heavenly court call upon the Sun and the Moon during the days of judgment on Rosh Hashana to come and bear witness to what they have seen among the people of Israel. However, on Rosh Hashana, the light of the moon does not reach us from the heavens; it is concealed, hidden from us, which is why it is referred to as being "covered". The moon is hidden, seemingly hiding its face, representing questions and judgment. Nevertheless, the sages of the mystical tradition see in this a profound expression of the moon's great love for the people of Israel. 
(According to the words of Rabbi Dr. Shmuel Kahana)