My cousin used to bet with a coworker who would be able guess the date in the month when a full moon would appear.

My cousin always won.

His secret?

The Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar that is adjusted for the solar year. Meaning, the length of the month is based upon how long it takes the moon to revolve around the earth. It is about 30 days. In the middle of the Jewish month the moon is full.

Early in the new Jewish month we recite a special prayer for the new moon. One should be able to clearly see the moon in order to recite the prayer.

Lost Blessing

This month I awaited to say the blessing, but unfortunately it was cloudy. Periodically I would go outside to see if the sky cleared, but the sky remained cloudy.

Thus I was unable to make this precious blessing that comes once every month.

I felt badly that I missed this opportunity.

I know I tried but I think I could have tried a little harder to be able to say the blessing. I could have tried to say it from the first time that we are allowed to say it. So technically I lost a mitzvah to sanctify the new moon.

I lost an opportunity to connect with eternity.

A Mitzvah allows a person to connect with eternal life

I was reminded of a story about a man who was intimidated to ask a rich person for a donation for a worthy cause.

His rabbi told him this is what you should say to the wealthy man : “You are nothing and I am nothing for in the end we were both return to the dust. What is it that lasts forever? A Mitzvah.” The Mitzvah of helping a needy person will connect you to eternity.

The man gave a handsome donation.

A Mitzvah connects you to eternity.