Monday, September 3

It's your Hebrew birthday that matters here

The start of the school reminds us that it is your Hebrew birthday that matters in Israel.  The cutoff birthdate for school years is the last day of Kislev.
And even if this seems silly, as the ministry always adds the christian date in brackets on every form and letter, it makes a very important statement - we are a Jewish country, and we set dates of national significance (for the most part) according to the Jewish calendar.  Each time we use the Hebrew date, we are bearing witness that Hashem created the world, as described in the Torah. (Rav David Hai Cohen)

Our Jewish army also drafts our soldiers according to their Hebrew birthdates.   Just last week, we heard many ads on Galei Tzahal reminding kids that if they were born between the first of Tishrei, 5766, and the last day of Adar that same year, they should expect to receive their Tzav Rishon - initial call-up for a physical examination and routine testing at the draft office.  
Of course, there are "fashlot", but they are rare.  After all, every calendar sold or given away anywhere in Israel has the Hebrew dates on it.   This means that when a desk clerk is asked for the Hebrew date of an appointment they are trying to set for me, they are not surprised, AND they can easily answer my question.

For those who do not know, it is legal to write the Hebrew date on cheques.  And using the Hebrew calendar is a derivative action of the "first mitzva" - ha-hodesh ha-zeh lachem rosh hodashim.  This is the first mitzva we were given as a nation, and keeping this mitzva should remind us also of the reason that the Torah does NOT start with this command - as Rashi says, in order to remind everyone that Gd created the world, and He gave Eretz Yisrael to US!
Full circle.  In Eretz Yisrael, we get to keep the mitzvot that remind us and the entire world that HaShem wants us here.   

It is also totally legitimate, in Israel, to use the child's Hebrew birthday when determining age for payment for bus rides and discounts at attractions.  

And, yes, if you or your child were born after sunset, and the Interior Ministry's computer miscalculated your Hebrew birthday, it is totally normal to have it corrected.

And on the subject of the date, today is two weeks before Rosh HaShana, so it is time to begin wishing you all a כתיבה וחתימה טובה.

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