Thoughts for the Month of Nissan

בס"ד 

The Chumash fixes Nissan as the first month because it contains the anniversary of the exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt. The birthday of the world is considered to be Rosh Hashanah which is the first day of Tishrei. The Mishna in fact lists four months as being the start of a new year for various reasons. For example Shvat contains the new year for trees.

The number twelve is important in Jewish thought. There are twelve tribes of Israel. The Sefer Yetzira breaks the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet into three groups: 3 mothers, 7 doubles, and 12 simple letters. The letter ה is crowned with conversation. From it came the constellation Aries (the lamb) in the universe, the month of Nissan in the year, and the right foot in the human body. The Kabbalah notes that there are twelve permutations of the letters of the Tetragrammaton and matches them with the twelve months. The first is how it is normally spelled and that is matched with the first month Nissan. Combining these ideas to arrive at new insights is encouraged.

It seems to me that the hint concerning Nissan is that it's important to start off the year on the correct foot. This means being able to recognize the will of God especially when it is clear. Later on it will be possible to discern the will of God even when it is jumbled or even backwards. Part of this comes from being as humble as a lamb. 

Freedom is the central theme of Passover. Making Nissan the first month means that it's important to always keep it in mind. It should be part of our conversation, particularly at the Passover Seder. Similarly persecution should be hated and a person in that unfortunate situation should leave it at the first opportunity and quickly.

לע"נ  האמא מלכה בת חיים ז"ל נלב"ע טז ניסן תשנ"ח

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