This Shabbos we read Parshas Hachodesh which introduces us to the first mitzvah that Klal Yisroel was given as a people. They were told, while still in Mitzrayim, that the month of Nissan would be their first month. From now on, they, as a nation, would have a responsibility to count the months and create a uniquely Jewish calendar based on the lunar year. Isn’t it kind of strange that the first mitzvah given to us as a nation was the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh? One would think that the luach (calendar) would play a secondary role to the more foundational mitzvos of the Aseres Hadibros, Shabbos and Yomim Tovim. Why was it was so essential for this young nation to receive this particular mitzvah first?

Second, the phraseology that the Torah uses, Hachodesh “HAZEH” lachem, is befuddling. Generally, when the Torah speaks about a specific object using the term “zeh,” Rashi frequently notes that we are dealing with a visual display of concrete form. It’s essentially something that we can point to and say, “here it is.” Our obvious problem is how can we point to a month?

To understand the answer to the above questions we must digress for a moment and discuss the goings on during Yetzias Mitzrayim. One certainly wonders what general eternal purpose the suffering and miraculous geulah served in the larger picture of Klal Yisroel’s history. Furthermore, If we can digress even further, the truth is, the Avos had it very difficult as well. Their lives were fraught with significant trials and tribulations! Why was suffering such an integral component of our historical upbringing?

The Torah doesn’t offer much in terms of character development about the Avos but one baffling terminology seems to be cropping up again and again: the puzzling references to laughter. We saw that Sarah laughed when she was informed of the impending birth of Yitzchak. Yitzchok and Rifkah were “laughing” by the episode of Avimelech. Why, even Yitzchak’s name means laughter. What was so funny? What’s the joke? Where’s the punch line?

I think the answer to all our problems lies in another, “Zeh”, the “zeh of “zeh keli v’anvehu” sung in the ‘Shiras Hayam.’ Klal Yisroel joyously sang, “Zeh keli v’anvehu!” and, as Rashi tells us, they would point a finger up at Hashem’s glory.

Chazal teach us that a maidservant at the yam suf saw more of Hashem’s glory and majesty then all the future prophets. It was the unmistakable vision of a G-d who not only created man and world but continuously controls every dimension, occurrence and phenomenon that takes place. A loving and merciful Omnipotent Creator who’s only purpose for creating mankind was to bestow upon man eternal good and pleasure.

This divination was so visible and so distinct to those crossing the Red Sea. As Israel is being forged, shaped and united into God’s chosen nation the all important precept that has to be absorbed into the national gene pool is this fundamental piece of information: There exists only one God, who not only created the world and but who is continuously and intimately involved in every single aspect of it.

Klal Yisroel had to suffer to the point where “vayizaku el Hashem”. Only then did Hashem show them that there is only Him and only via Him is the impossible possible. As His chosen nation they only had one choice, Hashem.

Now we can begin to understand why the Avos had to undergo trials and tribulations, as well. As the patriarchs and forefathers of this holy nation which needed to absorb this message, the Avos, too, had to perceive and inherently understand that it’s all about G-d. Nothing else.

Which brings us to “metzachek,” laughter. What is a joke and what makes it funny? A talented comedian will lead his audience in one direction building up the joke as he goes along and all of a sudden he does a 180 and switches direction. The irony, the contrast between where you thought you were going and where you actually ended up, is what makes it funny. When I think something is going to happen and the complete opposite takes place, it cracks me up. The greater the contrast is, the greater the laughter becomes.

Avraham and Sarah faced the impossibility of having children but then Hashem showed them that “with Hashem” there is no impossibility. Klal Yisroel enduring the bitter Egyptian exile didn’t have a way out until their cries pierced the heavens. And then the unattainable became reachable. Fire can unite with ice, Manna can fall from the heavens and our nation was taught this preeminent lesson that we take with us for all of history.

That is the message of Hachodesh “hazeh” lachem. The word “zeh” should constantly remind us of our G-d of unlimited possibilities just as it did when we said “zeh keili v’anvehu”. When we go out every month to be mekadesh the chodesh and look up at the heavens, Hashem wants us to find Him again and to be rejuvenated once more with the invigorating rays of His everlasting love for His children.

Galus is looking bleaker and bleaker. We look at a world ready to devour us alive. We face considerable problems both as individuals and communities. Parnassah has become so hard and difficult. So many singles desperately need shidduchim. Our youth have become so disenchanted and disenfranchised. There is so much suffering, anxiety and confusion. Life has become dark and dreary. We feel ourselves sliding further and further from our Father. We are so estranged, lost in a haze…

But one second. It doesn’t have to be this way. Go ahead, open your front door and take a walk outside. Look up at the heavens. Do you see that moon over there? That bright and glowing moon contains a special encouraging message for you. This extraordinary message preceded Yetzias Mitzrayim and our birth as a nation. It is the message where your ancestors and mine found hope and salvation. But more then that, it is the only message for us as a people and we must internalize it.

In life, things may wax and wane but we can always turn to the Rock and Source. “Hopeless,” “impossible” and “beyond help” isn’t a part of our lexicon. On Hashem’s watch anything goes. There are no insurmountable obstacles just clear pathways of perceptibility. There are no more doubts and uncertainty just confidence and determination. Parnassah can be found, shidduchim consummated, the suffering can be healed and our destiny fortified. Remember how we felt at the waters edge with the Egyptians nipping at our heels and our nation facing imminent doom. We felt the sword at our throats and then…it happened! The waters split and millions of us leisurely walked through a riverbed transformed into a paradise. Awesome! With Hashem the impossible can and will be possible after all.

As we take leave of the month of “merriment” and commence the month of our redemption, may we be zocheh very soon to see that marvelous day of boundless laughter. As the Gemara tells us, “On that day Hashem will laugh” and we’ll all laugh along with Him. We’ll be drunk with laughter because who would have ever believed it would turn out this way!