Why Israel Alone Received the New Moon and the Leap Year

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Bo 11:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

[(Exodus 12:2:) THIS MONTH.] R. Judah {ben} [bar] Simeon says: What is the meaning of THIS MONTH? To what is the matter comparable? To a king who used to take many wives, and he would write for them no marriage documents (gamika), nor consulship (hupateia, the dating of the year), nor month, nor Sabbath (week). He saw one who was a daughter of good people and a daughter of noble stock (genos), and he wrote for her marriage documents, and consulship, and month, and Sabbath, and the intercalation of years. So too did the Holy One, blessed be He, say: When I created My world, the nations of the world were standing; I gave them neither month, nor Sabbath, nor intercalation of years. But when Israel arose, I gave them the New Moons and the intercalation of years. Therefore it is said (Exodus 12:2): THIS MONTH.

Themes

CovenantExodus

Biblical References

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