As the period of holidays and celebrations comes to an end – along with the arrival of devastating news regarding the well-being of Israel – we cannot help feeling stressed, frustrated, and disturbed. How can we leave such a “high”? We spent the past month growing closer to Hashem – becoming sure of His protection while creating a sense of security and invincibility – and now the month is over…
Mar-Cheshvan is the only month we can truly call “bare”. It has no special holidays, events, or Mitzvot. This sudden change – from continuous activity in the month of Tishrei to the emptiness of Mar-Cheshvan – can sometimes be seen as unsettling. Why are we being thrown straight into a routine again? Should we not lower ourselves to the troubles of everyday life slowly? Worsening this situation is the constant fear of what Israel is currently facing. How is it fair for us to fall into these dreadful circumstances after we have become so accustomed to the Simcha (happiness) of the holidays?
To comprehend the significance of this time of year, it must be understood that Mar-Cheshvan is a month that is truly replete with hard work and prayer. Mar-Cheshvan is composed of two words: “Mar” and “Cheshvan.” The word “Mar” means “bitter” in Hebrew. Because of this, many believe Cheshvan is a time of bitterness. They are troubled because we seem to lack any extra level of goodness and fortune. This is a misconception.
Though Mar-Cheshvan lacks in holidays and commemorates the passing of the matriarch Sarah, these downsides do not mean the month is actually “bitter.” In truth, the two words “Mar” and “Cheshvan” are properly read as one long name: “Marcheshvan.” With this in mind, it is clear that “Mar” is essential to the month, as it is a part of the month’s name.
Another translation for “Mar” is “drop,” which should remind us of rain. This translation is therefore fitting for Mar-Cheshvan, as it is the first full month in which we begin praying for rain in the land of Israel. But why is prayer for rain so important? Why should it be an integral part of this month? Starting from the end of Shemini Atzeret, we pray for rain each day. We want to show Hashem that, even though we have almost reached the end of the holiday season, we will still tirelessly pray for what we desire. If we pray for rain and truly desire/seek sustenance and happiness, we can receive them through hard work and dedication. Therefore, the holiday-less Mar-Cheshvan gives us a full period in which we have no distractions. There are no festivities and no extra rituals to focus on. We simply spend our month working toward our newfound goals for the year. Once we do our part in bringing our desires close, we can cry out to Hashem for help. Seeing our determination, He provides us with powerful rains that sustain us.
May Hashem’s blessings shower over Medinat Israel, which will flourish as a result of the efforts of its people in reaching their goals. Mar-Cheshvan is a perfect time for giving our all toward a better future. When in troubled times, we simply need to seize our opportunities – Hashem will handle the rest!
