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On Saturday evening we will enter the Hebrew month of Nissan, which in the Jewish calendar, is the first month. All mentions of other holidays and observances are measured in terms of how many months or weeks from the month of Nissan they occur. How did the month of Nissan become the first month and what might be its significance?

Two weeks before the Exodus from Egypt, God showed Moses the crescent moon and instructed him regarding the setting of the Jewish calendar and mitzvah of sanctifying the new month (in an observance we call Rosh Chodesh). This was actually the first commandment given to the freshly-minted nation of Israel. Not unlike the creation story that introduces us to Shabbat, this foundational commandment regarding our calendar asks us to sanctify time.

Of course, the big event in the month of Nissan happens on the 15th-22nd  when we celebrate the festival of Pesach. With its themes of freedom, spring and hope, redemption and resilience, what a way to begin a New Year! On Pesach we celebrate the spirituality of freedom and the birth of our people. It is this observance that beautifully sets us up for Rosh Hashanah when we celebrate our personal and communal spiritual new year and the birthday of the world.

Judaism recognizes that there are all sorts of beginnings that we experience at different times of the year. As the entire world looks forward to beginning anew post-pandemic, may this month of Nissan and its celebrations inspire us with the hope that it will happen one day soon, and give us strength until it does.

Shabbat shalom,

Beth