Saturday night begins the Jewish month of Nisan, the month in which Passover takes place. In biblical and rabbinic times, this day was observed as the calendar and governmental new year, similar to the way we now understand January 1st. Occurring near the spring equinox, this new year is a counterpart to Rosh Hashanah, which takes place at the beginning of autumn.
This week’s Torah portion discusses the completion of the Mishkan, the desert sanctuary built as a space for the Divine Presence to dwell among the Israelites. Rabbinic tradition teaches that this took place on the first of Nisan. The image of God’s Presence entering the Mishkan can be understood as a metaphor for the renewed life entering the world at this time of year. Rabbi Jill Hammer names this, “the budding of divinity within creation.” She continues, “If Tu B’Shevat represents the Divine sap flowing within the world, the 1st of Nisan is the moment when that sap bursts forth in new buds. The new revelation of the Divine is paired with the new life and beauty that appears in the spring.”*
The first of Nisan is also observed as Miriam’s yahrzeit. One interpretation of her name is “ruler of the sea” and Miriam is associated in various ways with water. Rabbinic legend tells us that the water needed to sustain the Israelites during the Exodus came from a well which traveled with Miriam. This life giving water is present for us in the spring rains, which are so needed for our warming earth.
As we prepare for Passover, a little more than two weeks away, I urge you to consider, not only the wonder and beauty of what is beginning to bud in the world around you, but also what may be waiting to grow within. The Seder ritual acknowledges that the work of freedom is an ongoing process, telling us that “in each and every generation, everyone one of us must see ourselves as having gone forth from Egypt.” Each year we are meant to ask ourselves how we have moved from narrowness to expansiveness, from passivity to agency, from unconsciousness to awareness.
A simple way to welcome Nisan and deepen your appreciation of the season is by reciting some of the relevant blessings our traditions offers.
There a special blessing to be said, ideally in the month of Nissan, for the first time one sees a blossoming fruit tree:
baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, shelo chisar b’olamo klum uvara vo briyyot tovot v’ilanot tovot l’hanot bahem b’nai adam
We acknowledge and praise the Source of Being, who has made nothing lacking in this world and created within it goodly creatures and goodly trees, giving human beings pleasure in them.
A blessing for seeing beauty:
baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, she kacha loh b’olamoh.
We acknowledge and praise the Source of Being, for such things existing in this world.
And the first time you eat a food during the season, or wear a new piece of clothing, or do something else for the first time, it is traditional to recite:
baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, she-hecheyyanu, v’kiyemanu v’higi’anu lazman hazeh
We acknowledge and praise the Source of Being, for giving us life, sustaining us, and bringing us to this moment.
May this be a season of blessing (and blessings) for all of us.
Rabbi Drorah Setel