Rosh Chodesh Iyyar
All times listed here are for Fairfax County, VA only
Articles of Interest for Rosh Chodesh, Iyyar, and the Omer
Rosh Chodesh, literally the “head of the month,” is celebrated as a minor holiday.
Each day of Iyar represents another step in this spiritual journey toward Sinai.
11 Facts About the Month of Iyar Every Jew Should Know
Both Nisan and Tishrei are referred to as the start of the Jewish calendar. Iyar is the second month from Nisan and month number eight from Tishrei.
Sefirat HaOmer
Counting of the Omer
Between the holidays of Passover and Shavuot, the Omer is counted each evening, signifying our preparation for the receiving of the Torah on the holiday of Shavuot. Your one-stop site for an enhanced Omer experience.
Your Handy Davening Guide for This Rosh Chodesh Weekend
Thursday, April 22
Thursday Evening Maariv:
Regular weekday evening services, page 118. In the Amidah add Ya’aleh V’yavo [page 128 shaded area] for Rosh Chodesh.
If one forgot to say Ya’aleh V’Yovo during Maariv services, if:
a. They are still in the Amidah, go back to the blessing of R’Tzai, [bottom of page 127] and continue from there
b. If they completed the Maariv Amidah, one does not need to repeat the Amidah.
Count the 15th day of the Omer, page 136, then Aleinu.
We highly recommend an Omer App, which will send your daily reminders, has the blessings in print and audio, daily meditations and other information.
Friday, April 23; Rosh Chodesh Iyar
Friday Morning Shacharit
Regular Shacharit services with Tallit and Tefillin. In the Amidah add Ya’ale V’Yovo [page 50 shaded area] for Rosh Chodesh. If one finished the Amidah and did not say Ya’ale V’Yovo, one must repeat the Amidah.
After the Amidah say “Half Hallel” – which is the regular Hallel starting on page 307, but skipping two paragraphs (the top and bottom paragraphs on page 308). At the conclusion of Hallel, say 3 times the short paragraph on top of page 312.
Psalm of the day Friday on page 74, followed by Hoshi’einu on page 75 and then for Rosh Chodesh we add Borchi Nafshi [Psalm 104] in the shaded area of page 75.
There is a Torah reading for Rosh Chodesh on page 468. Read it on your own.
Ashrei on page 66, followed by U’Va L’Tzion, skipping the top paragraph on page 67. Take off your Tefillin, keep on the Tallit.
Musaf for Rosh Chodesh on page 313 with a special prayer for the new month. Followed by Ein Kelokeinu, page 78 and Aleinu, page 80. The Daily Tehillim [30th day of the month] and the 6 Remembrances, page 84.
Some laws of Rosh Chodesh
a. It is customary on Rosh Chodesh to have a special meal which includes bread.
b. When saying Birkat HaMazon, insert Ya’ale V’Yovo for Rosh Chodesh. If one forgot to say Ya’ale V’Yovo, one needs not to repeat Birkat HaMazon.
c. On Rosh Chodesh it is customary to learn a verse or verses, from the personal chapter of Tehillim which corresponds to one’s age.
Print some reading material before Shabbat.
Friday Mincha and Ma'ariv.
Shabbat Candle lighting 7:37 pm. Blessings and instructions on page 152
Mincha
We begin on page 148 through 151 with the introductory prayers of Friday Mincha. . In the Amidah add Ya’ale V’Yovo [page 108 bottom shaded area] for Rosh Chodesh. If one finished the Amidah and did not say Ya’ale V’Yovo, one must repeat the Amidah.
Kabbalat Shabbat/Maariv
Kabbalat Shabbat begins on page 154. Regular Kabbalat Shabbat. As we davening without a Minyan, on page 160 insert bottom shaded paragraph. In the Amidah add Ya’aleh V’yavo [page 169 shaded area] for Rosh Chodesh. If one forgot to say Ya’aleh V’Yovo during Maariv services the law is the same as last night Maariv.
After Amidah, on page 172 say the 1st and 3rd paragraphs, followed by the bottom paragraph on page 173.
Count the 16 th day of the Omer, page 136, then Aleinu.
Regular Shabbat Kiddush. In the Birkat HaMazon insert R’tzai for Shabbat and Ya’ale V’Yovo for Rosh Chodesh. If one forgot R’tzai one must repeat Birkat HaMazon.
Shabbat, April 25; Parshat Tazria-Metzorah; Rosh Chodesh Iyar
Morning services follow the Shabbat pattern with some additions. After morning blessings, start on page 181. We do a regular Shabbos Amidah, adding Ya’ale V’Yavo [page 214, middle shaded area].
“Half Hallel” on page 307. Psalm of the day, page 218, followed by Hoshi’anu and Borchi Nafshi on page 219.
Today there is a double Torah portion, Tazria and Metzora. Leviticus 12.1 through 15.33. For more information on the Parsha go to www.chabadnova.org/Parsha.
Maftir is the special Rosh Chodesh section: Numbers 28.9-15. The Haftorah is for Shabbat Rosh Chodesh, Isaiah 66.1-24. It is customary to read the portions on our own when we are not hearing them in public.
After reading the Torah portion, read the first Yekum Pirkun in the Siddur on page 230, followed by Ashrei on page 232.
There is a special Amidah for Musaf on page 320, combining the Musaf of Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh, with a special prayer for the new month.
Then Ein Kelokeinu on page 242. Aleinu. The Daily Tehilim [1st of the month], followed by the order of the Show Breads [which were replaced every Shabbat] and the 6 Remembrances, page 247.
Shabbat Mincha
The regular order of Shabbat Mincha, page 253. In the Amidah insert Ya’ale V’Yovo [page 262, shaded area].
In the weeks after Pesach, it is customary to recite and learn Pirkei Avot [Ethics of Our Fathers] after Mincha. This week we are reciting and learning Chapter 2, page 273. For more information on Pirkei Avot go to www.chabadnova.org/Avot.
Motzai Shabbat Maariv
Maariv page 118. Add Ata Chonantanu for Motzai Shabbat [page 125, shaded area]. Count the 17 th day of the Omer, page 136.
Shabbat ends 8:39 pm.
Havdalah, page 297. Full Havdalah, wine, spices, candle etc.
Tonight is the birthday of the 4th Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch [1834-1882]. For more information on his life, work and teachings go to www.chabadnova.org/626953.
On Motzai Shabbat it is customary to have a special meal known as Melave Malkah [literally, escorting the Queen, i.e. Shabbat]. For more information go to www.chabadnova.org/611287
Be safe and healthy!
