Renewal Through Inner Faith

החודש הזה לכם.

“This month shall be for you.”

The Sefat Emet teaches that this verse refers to the redemption from Egypt.

ענין זה לגאולת מצרים.

This matter relates to the Exodus from Egypt.

Redemption restores a spiritual dynamic that had been missing during exile.

כי בגלות נחסר זה ההתחדשות.

For in exile this renewal was lacking.

Exile dulls the soul’s capacity for inner renewal.

כמ"ש בפ' ויקם מלך חדש ע"ש.

As it is written: “A new king arose,” etc.

The “new king” hints that renewal was distorted or concealed in exile.

ובשעת הגאולה דהיינו שנתברר שהכל חיות הש"י.

And at the moment of redemption—that is, when it becomes clear that all is the life-force of God.

Redemption reveals that every facet of reality is animated by the Divine.

ומזה בא התחדשות.

And from this comes renewal.

Recognition of God’s vitality awakens continual freshness.

כי חיותו ית' יש בו התחדשות תמיד כמ"ש מחדש בכל יום תמיד.

For His vitality has constant renewal, as it says: “He renews each day continuously.”

The Divine life-force is inherently renewing, never static.

ופי' תמיד בכל יום.

And “continuously” means each and every day.

Renewal is not episodic but perpetual.

רק מי ששוכח והוא תוך הטבע כ' אין כל חדש כו'.

Only one who forgets and is trapped within nature says: “There is nothing new,” etc.

A person bound to a purely naturalistic outlook loses the sense of renewal.

אבל מי שנדבק בפנימיות חיות הש"י יש בו תמיד התחדשות.

But one who cleaves to the inner vitality of God always has renewal.

Attachment to the Divine core restores constant spiritual freshness.

וז"ש החודש הזה לכם.

And this is the meaning of “This month shall be for you.”

Every Jew has the capacity to awaken this renewal.

שיכול כל א' מישראל לעורר התחדשות זה ע"י אמונה שמברר בלבו שהכל מהש"י.

That each person of Israel can rouse this renewal through faith, by clarifying in the heart that all is from God.

Faith that all emanates from God opens the channel of renewal.

וזה ההפרש בין שבת לר"ח.

And this is the difference between Shabbat and Rosh Ḥodesh.

They represent two modes of divine revelation.

ששבת מעין עוה"ב קביעא וקיימא שאין הסתר.

For Shabbat is a taste of the World to Come—fixed and enduring, without concealment.

Shabbat does not depend on human awakening; it shines automatically.

כמ"ש מתעברין מינה.

As it is said: “They pass from it.”

This hints that Shabbat radiates light on its own.

ור"ח הוא להאיר ההתחדשות גם בימות החול.

But Rosh Ḥodesh is to illuminate renewal even within the weekdays.

Rosh Ḥodesh brings divine freshness into ordinary time.

וזה תלוי בישראל כמ"ש לאל גומר עלי כו'.

And this depends on Israel, as it says: “To God Who completes for me,” etc.

Israel plays an active role in drawing down renewal.

וז"ש רש"י ז"ל ובמד' שנתקשה מרע"ה עד שהראה לו כזה ראה וקדש כו'.

And this is what Rashi and the Midrash say—that Moses was perplexed until God showed him: “Like this, see and sanctify.”

Moses required a visual demonstration of the new moon.

והלא לא נדבר אלא ביום כו' עם חשיכה כו'.

But was it not spoken only by day? … together with darkness…

The revelation occurred at twilight, a time of partial concealment.

כי בחי' מרע"ה הוא אספקלריא דנהרא בחי' שבת.

For Moses’ level is the “bright speculum,” the level of Shabbat.

Moses stands in a state of clear divine illumination.

וזה ישמח משה כו'.

And this is the meaning of “Moses rejoiced,” etc.

This joy reflects his connection to Shabbat’s clarity.

אבל בחי' חודש בדרך אמונה כנ"ל.

But the level of the month is through faith, as mentioned above.

Rosh Ḥodesh requires human faith to draw down renewal.

והראהו עם חשיכה בין השמשות.

And He showed him with darkness—at twilight.

The new moon appears in a moment of obscurity, teaching renewal through faith.

וכ' הזה להודיעהו כי ה' ושמו אחד.

And He said “this” to inform him that God and His Name are one.

The unity of God is revealed precisely through this subtle moment of renewal.

ולפעמים צריך להיות דרך אמונה לעורר התחדשות כנ"ל.

And at times one must rely on the path of faith to awaken renewal, as above.

There are moments when clarity is hidden, and only faith restores renewal.

Summary: Renewal was obscured in exile, but redemption reveals the divine vitality that constantly renews creation. Shabbat embodies automatic revelation, while Rosh Ḥodesh depends on Israel’s faith to draw renewal into ordinary time. The new moon’s twilight appearance teaches that renewal often emerges through faith within concealment.