RAV KOOK ON Rosh Chodesh: Our Prayers for the New Month

Shabbat Mevarchim On the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh, the new Hebrew month, we announce the new month with a special prayer, called Birkat HaChodesh. We pray that the coming month will be a time of good health, peace, and blessing. The introduction to Birkat HaChodesh is copied from an ancient prayer composed by third-century scholar Abba Arikha (‘Rav'), founder of the legendary yeshiva of Sura. Here is the text of Rav’s prayer, as recorded in the Talmud: “May it be Your will, the Eternal our God, to grant us long life, a life of peace, a life of good, a life of blessing, a life of sustenance, a life of vigor of the bones, a life in which there is fear of sin, a life free from shame and embarrassment, a life of riches and honor, a life in which we may be filled with love of Torah and awe of Heaven, a life in which You will fulfill all of our hearts’ desires for good.” (Berakhot 16b) While the prayer does mention love of Torah and awe of Heaven, most of the requests appear to refer to the material aspects of life — sustenance and physical vigor, riches and honor. Were these wishes foremost in the thoughts and prayers of this great scholar?