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The Month Of Nissan
We have now entered the month of Nissan; let us remember the specific advantages of this special month:
1. Nissan is in the Spring. Nissan is one of the few months mentioned in the Torah by name. G-d refers to it as Chodesh HaAviv, the Month of Spring. Ensuring that Nissan remains in spring forms the backbone of the entire intricate Jewish calendar, including the leap year.
2. It is the first month of the Jewish calendar. “This month shall be for you the first of the months,” G-d told Moshe Rabbeinu. It is one of four “heads of the year” listed in the Talmud, one of which is the first of Tishrei, known universally as Rosh Hashana, the head of the year.
3. G-d took us out of Egypt in Nissan. After 210 years of suffering in exile, G-d took His nation out of Egypt. This took place in the month of Nissan. “He takes the prisoners out at the most opportune time,” says Dovid HaMelech. According to the Midrash, Moshe told the people: “See the lovingkindness that G-d bestowed upon you, that He took you out in a month in which it is suitable to go out, when there is neither heat nor cold nor rain.”
4. Pesach, held annually on the anniversary of our Exodus, begins on the 15th of Nissan.
5. It is a miracle month. The word nes means “miracle,” making Nissan a month of miracles. The Rebbe, would often mention the words of Rashi that seeing “Nissan” in a dream portends to “Nisei Nissim” – “Miracles of Miracles.”
6. There is a blessing to be said over fruit trees. If one sees a budding fruit tree during the month of Nissan, there is a special blessing to be said: “Blessed are You… Who has made nothing lacking in His world, and created in it goodly creatures and goodly trees to give mankind pleasure.”
Many people visit botanical gardens during this time, so as to avail themselves of an opportunity to observe this beautiful custom.
7. Nissan 1 took 10 crowns. The sages say that the first day of Nissan of that year “took 10 crowns:” It was (1) the first day of the week; (2) the first day the Nesi'im brought their offerings; (3) the first day that the Kehuna of Aharon was put into effect; (4) the first day of the sacrifices in the Mishkan; (5) the first time a fire descended from heaven onto the mizbeach (the altar); (6) the first time that sacred foods were eaten in the Mishkan; (7) the first time that the Divine Presence rested amidst the people; (8) the first day the Kohanim were bestowed with the Birchas Kohanim – the priestly blessing; (9) the first time it was forbidden to sacrifice to G-d on an altar outside the Mishkan; and finally (10) it was the first month of the new year.
8. The Nesi'im brought sacrifices for 12 days. Nearly a year after the Exodus, the mishkon was inaugurated in time for Nissan 1. On each of the first 12 days of the month, another of the 12 Nesi'im, heads of Shaotim (tribes) brought inauguration sacrifices. Now, on each of these days we say a special Yehi Ratzon prayer along with the Torah portion detailing the gifts brought on that day.
9. We don’t say tachanun all month. Because the first 12 days commemorate the joyous offerings of the Nesi'im, we don’t say tachanun and similar prayers. Neither do we say it during the festival of Pesach. Since the majority of the month passes without saying Tachanun, we don’t say it for the balance of the month, even after Pesach.
10. Nissan has 30 days. The months then continue to alternate until we reach Cheshvan and Kislev, which can each have either 29 or 30 days, depending on the year. Nissan, however, is always a “Full Month.”
A happy month of Nissan to everyone.
Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman is director of the Lubavitch Youth Organization. He can be reached at [email protected].
The Blessing of the Trees.
We have now entered the month of Nissan; let us remember the specific advantages of this special month:
Nissan is in the Spring. Nissan is one of the few months mentioned in the Torah by name. G-d refers to it as ChodeshHaAviv, the Month of Spring. Ensuring that Nissan remains in spring forms the backbone of the entire intricate Jewish calendar, including the leap year.
It is the first month of the Jewish calendar. “This month shall be for you the first of the months,” G-d told Moshe Rabbeinu. It is one of four “heads of the year” listed in the Talmud, one of which is the first of Tishrei, known universally as Rosh Hashana, the head of the year.
G-d took us out of Egypt in Nissan. After 210 years of suffering in exile, G-d took His nation out of Egypt. This took place in the month of Nissan. “He takes the prisoners out at the most opportune time,” says Dovid HaMelech. According to the Midrash, Moshe told the people: “See the lovingkindness that G-d bestowed upon you, that He took you out in a month in which it is suitable to go out, when there is neither heat nor cold nor rain.”
Pesach, held annually on the anniversary of our Exodus, begins on the 15th of Nissan.
It is a miracle month. The word nes means “miracle,” making Nissan a month of miracles. The Rebbe, would often mention the words of Rashi that seeing “Nissan” in a dream portends to “Nisei Nissim” – “Miracles of Miracles.”
There is a blessing to be said over fruit trees. If one sees a budding fruit tree during the month of Nissan, there is a special blessing to be said: “Blessed are You… Who has made nothing lacking in His world, and created in it goodly creatures and goodly trees to give mankind pleasure.”
Many people visit botanical gardens during this time, so as to avail themselves of an opportunity to observe this beautiful custom.
Nissan 1 took 10 crowns. The sages say that the first day of Nissan of that year “took 10 crowns:” It was (1) the first day of the week; (2) the first day the Nesi’im brought their offerings; (3) the first day that the Kehuna of Aharon was put into effect; (4) the first day of the sacrifices in the Mishkan; (5) the first time a fire descended from heaven onto the mizbeach (the altar); (6) the first time that sacred foods were eaten in the Mishkan; (7) the first time that the Divine Presence rested amidst the people; (8) the first day the Kohanim were bestowed with the Birchas Kohanim – the priestly blessing; (9) the first time it was forbidden to sacrifice to G-d on an altar outside the Mishkan; and finally (10) it was the first month of the new year.
The Nesi‘im brought sacrifices for 12 days. Nearly a year after the Exodus, the mishkon was inaugurated in time for Nissan 1. On each of the first 12 days of the month, another of the 12 Nesi‘im, heads of Shaotim (tribes) brought inauguration sacrifices. Now, on each of these days we say a special Yehi Ratzon prayer along with the Torah portion detailing the gifts brought on that day.
We don’t say tachanun all month. Because the first 12 days commemorate the joyous offerings of the Nesi‘im, we don’t say tachanun and similar prayers. Neither do we say it during the festival of Pesach. Since the majority of the month passes without saying Tachanun, we don’t say it for the balance of the month, even after Pesach.
Nissan has 30 days. The months then continue to alternate until we reach Cheshvan and Kislev, which can each have either 29 or 30 days, depending on the year. Nissan, however, is always a “Full Month.”
