יָרֵחַ אוֹמֶרֶת - Moon Says:
Tehillim 104:19
עָשָׂה יָרֵחַ לְמוֹעֲדִים שֶׁמֶשׁ יָדַע מְבוֹאוֹ
asah yareach lemoadim shemesh yada mevo'o
Who appointed the moon for seasons; the sun knows its setting.
Scripture begins to speak of the creations that came into being on the fourth day (Bereishit 1:14-16). It begins with the moon, though it is the smaller luminary, because the night of the fourth day came before the day. The preceding night was served by the moon and stars, and the sun shone on the morning of the fourth day.
"Who appointed the moon for seasons." The waning and waxing of the moon divide the year for us into twelve months, and so establish the calendar.
The moon does not have its own light, it shines in conjunction with the sun. But "the sun knows it setting." Its rising and setting are fixed because it shines by its own light.
Then again, G-d "appointed the moon for seasons" in the sense that the moon has two monthly seasons: the first part of the month its light increases, and the second part of the month its light decreases. This has an effect on the seas and rivers (tides).
G-d created the moon in such a way that it is renewed at the end of each month, when it is in conjunction with the sun. This is not so for the stars. In accordance with its increasing and decreasing light, there is a corresponding renewal for minerals, plants and animals. In accordance with the inclination of the sun, towards the north or towards the south, seasonal changes take place in all locations of human habitation.
"Who appointed the moon for seasons." A homiletical interpretation says that the burgeoning and waning of moonlight symbolizes human life. Until his middle years, a person continues to increase, therefore after he continues to decrease, until he reaches the appointed place of all living things.
The moon represents Klal Yisrael and each individual Jew. The sun represents Hashem. In this world Hashem is in hiding. We don't have our own light, our task is to reflect Hashem's hidden light on the world and make it a brighter place.
As much as we'd love to shine bright all the time, this is not in our control. Sometimes we are afforded the opportunity and resources to do great things and make a tremendous Kiddush Hashem. We also go through tougher periods where we try to stay afloat ourselves and have no opportunity to shine Hashem's light elsewhere. This all depends on Hashem's will and we must accept it happily.
The Moon sings (Tehilim 104:19), "Asah yareach lemoadim" (Who appointed to the moon for seasons) the moon is made to shine at unpredictable intervals. "shemesh yada mivo'o" (the sun knows its setting), only the sun knows when the moon will shine. The moon doesn't ask, it takes advantage of every opportunity afforded it without question. Either way it sings a happy tune, eagerly awaiting the sun's bright light so that it can light up the darkness of the night. (Revach)
Benei Yisrael are traditionally symbolized by the moon. The generations from Avraham are likened to the cycle of the moon. David and Shlomo were the 14th and 15th generations from Avraham Avinu. It was during their reign that Benei Yisrael was at its pinnacle. They conquered their enemies, stretched out their borders and built the Beit HaMikdash. This is just like the moon which is biggest on days 14 and 15. After Shlomo, national stability began to deteriorate and Benei Yisrael lost their splendor, just as the moon wanes after the 15th day.
There are many insights to be taken from this symbolism. The gemara (Rosh HaShanah 25a) quotes the pasuk (Tehillim 104:19) “Shemesh yada mevo’o,” the sun knows its setting (path). The gemara comments that the sun knows its path but the moon does not. The relative path of the sun as it changes from season to season is quite predictable and easy to figure out. The path of the moon, however, is erratic in nature and seems not to follow a specific pattern. We may understand this as analogous to the way in which the world is run. The nations of the world, traditionally symbolized by the sun, are governed, to a certain degree, by the laws of nature. There is a less focused Divine Providence that guides their everyday events. This is akin to the predictable path of the sun. One need not delve too deeply to realize that Benei Yisrael are governed in quite a different manner. The great miracles that adorn our history, as well as the day-to-day twists and turns that befall our nation to this day are clear indications that there is nothing haphazard about the course of events that befall us. There are no patterns or laws of nature to rely on, just as the moon follows an unpredictable path.
The gemara (Sukkah 29a) tells us that when there is an eclipse of the sun, it is a bad sign for the gentiles. When there is an eclipse of the moon, it is a bad omen for Benei Yisrael because we follow the lunar calendar and they follow the solar calendar. There is an intriguing insight that lies beneath the surface here as well. An eclipse of the moon happens when the moon moves into a position behind the earth such that the light of the sun cannot reach it. One might say that it is “the moon’s fault” that it was eclipsed. This is the way we must view calamities that befall us. We must search within for the causes and realize that it is our own deeds and actions that have brought them about.
An eclipse of the sun happens when the moon moves in front of the earth in such a way that it blocks the sun’s light from reaching certain spots on the earth. Here, too, we see that it is path of the moon that has caused the eclipse. The sun and earth are insignificant players in a solar eclipse. The lesson learned from this gemara is that everything that happens in this world is, in some way, connected to Benei Yisrael. Despite our relatively insignificant size, like that of the moon to the sun, the world was created for us and continues to be governed according to our actions. This is not something to take advantage of but rather, a great responsibility that we must bear on our shoulders at all times. (Astro Torah)
This aspect of change present in the moon counters the regularity we experience in everyday life. It causes a person to reflect on who placed the moon in the sky, who made the moon come and go in a cycle of change from night to night. The differing appearance of the moon gives us a glimpse of G-d by presenting us with a visible manifestation of His presence. Because, monthly, the change starts anew, we take the opportunity to recognize His presence, we bless Him accordingly and thereby greet G-d Himself. (Rabbi Yehudah Prero)
