Daf Yomi - Rosh Hashana 7 - BLESSING OF THE NEW MONTH

The Gemora had stated that Nissan is considered the New Year regarding the counting of the months. There are different verses throughout the Prophets and the Writings which indicate that Nissan is the first month of the year.

We have previously discussed the opinion of the Chasam Sofer and other commentators based on the Ramban in Parshas Bo, who state that there is an obligation to count the months in relationship to Nissan to remind ourselves of the Exodus from Egypt and not to count using the secular months like the other nations of the world.

The Binyan Shlomo learns differently and states that the obligation to count the months according to the Exodus from Egypt was only given to the Beis Din when they were sanctifying the new moon. The Beis din was required to proclaim that they are sanctifying the first month, second month etc.

Binyan Shlomo continues that according to this, it should be instituted that when we are reciting the blessing for the new month on the Shabbos preceding Rosh Chodesh, we should announce the number of the month relative to Nissan since the blessing of the new month is a remembrance for Beis Din’s sanctifying the new moon. He concludes that in truth, our custom is not like this but he’s not sure why.