Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
It occurred to me that on this past Shabbat many people thought about the words of the following blessing in a special way. These words were spoken with heartfelt intention as we wondered what this new month would bring and where we would be when it ends. We call these words "the blessing of the new month". We are accustomed to saying them on the Shabbat that precedes the beginning of the new month. This coming Thursday the month of Nissan will begin. The following blessing was recited on Shabbat morning in our living room that had been transformed into a home synagogue, as was the case with many others. Here is an opportunity to be reminded of this blessing, word for word:
"May it be Your will Lord our G-d and G-d of our fathers, to renew this coming month for us for goodness and for blessing, and may You grant us long life, a life of peace. A life of goodness, a life of blessing, a life of sustenance, a life of physical health. A life in which there is awe of heaven and fear of sin, a life in which there is no shame or disgrace, a life of wealth and honor, a life in which we love Torah and revere G-d, a life in which the Lord fulfills the requests of our hearts for good. Amen. Selah...
May the Holy One Blessed be He renew the coming month for us and for all his people, the House of Israel, for goodness and for blessing, for gladness and for joy, for deliverance and for consolation, and let us say, Amen".
