Torah Calendar
1-14 Nissan , 5785
March 30-April 12, 2025
For this week's study schedule & classes, CLICK HERE
Attributes of the month of Nissan: Ruling permutation of the letters of HAVAYAH is the first in the order of permutations: YOD KEH VAV KEH, contained in the initial Hebrew letters of Yismechu Hashamayim Vetagel Ha'aretz -- "Let the heavens rejoice and the earth exult" (Psalms 96:11). The month's corresponding letter is: HEH; Human attribute: SPEECH; Body Part: RIGHT FOOT; Tribe: JUDAH; Constellation: RAM (Aries).
Saturday night-Sunday March
29-30 / 1 Nissan:
Rosh Chodesh NISSAN
Ya'aleh VeYavo, "Half" Hallel and the additional Musaf service are recited on Rosh Chodesh and it is customary to mark these days with more festive meals than usual.
Chodesh
Tov UMevorach!!!
Have a Good and Blessed Month!!!
From Rosh Chodesh Nissan until Pesach, many have the custom of not eating Matzot in order to eat the Pesach matzot with relish. Don't forget to spare a thought for the many who cannot afford Matzot and other Pesach needs. In this period it is customary to give Kimcha d'Pischa -- special charity to the poor to cover their "flour" and other Pesach needs.
The Sanctuary in the wilderness was inaugurated on Rosh Chodesh Nissan, and this auspicious day has ten crowns: (1) On this day the Creation was complete; (2) Nachshon Prince of Judah brought his offering to Moses' wilderness Sanctuary; (3) Aaron began his duties as High Priest; (4) The first communal offerings were brought; (5) Fire came down from heaven to the altar; (6) Sacrificial portions were eaten within designated limits; (7) The Shechinah dwelt among the people; (8) The Cohanim blessed the people; (9) It was henceforth forbidden to sacrifice on private altars; (10) This day was designated as Rosh Chodesh. Numerous sections of the Torah were revealed on 1 Nissan.
Since the Princes of the Twelve Tribes of Israel brought their inaugural sacrifices to the Sanctuary day by day on the first twelve days of Nissan, many have the custom of reading the corresponding passages from Numbers 7:1-89 each day after the morning prayers, starting with verses 1-17 on the first day and concluding with vv. 78-89 on the twelth day. Some study the lengthy Midrashim on how the identical sacrifices of the twelve princes had different allusions for each one (Midrash Rabbah NASO and see Me'Am Lo'ez).
Each of the first twelve days of Nissan corresponds to one of the twelve months of the coming year. "And those with clear vision can see how the events on each of these days allude to what is to come in the corresponding month" (R. Menachem Mendel of Riminov).
Blessing of the trees (Birkhat Ha-Ilanot): This special blessing is recited only once a year at any point during the month of Nissan on seeing at least two blossoming fruit trees, whether of the same or different species. "Blessed are You, G-d, our Lord, King of the universe, for He left nothing lacking in His universe, and He created in it good creatures and good trees, to give mankind pleasure in them." Birkat Ha'ilanot is available in most Siddurim. Sepharadic and some Chassidic Siddurim include extended readings of the Psalms and a special prayer for the elevation of the souls.
1 Nissan was the birthday of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, who once said, "When somebody thinks of me they become like a newborn babe".
The first ten days of Nissan correspond to the letter Yod of A-D-N-Y; the four days of checking the Paschal lamb from 11-14 Nissan correspond to the Dalet The fifty days from the first day of Pesach to the eve of Shavuot correspond to the Nun and Shavuot itself corresponds to the Aleph, signifying our complete acceptance of the kingship of G-d through our service in this period.
Please spare a thought for the many who cannot afford Matzot and other Pesach needs. In this period it is customary to give Kimcha d'Pischa -- special charity to the poor to cover their "flour" (kimcha) and other Pesach needs.
Friday night-Saturday April
4-5 / 7 Nissan
Shabbat Parshat VAYIKRA
Torah reading: Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1-5:26) setting forth the various categories of the Temple sacrifical offerings.
On this day in the Wilderness, the Prince of the tribe of Ephraim, Elishama ben Amihud (grandfather of Joshua) brought his inaugural sacrifices to the Sanctuary.
From 7 Nissan (March 20) onwards it is proper to be conscious of the importance of avoiding defilement from the dead where possible as this would be necessary in order to be ritually pure to offer the Pesach sacrifice if and when the Temple is rebuilt.
Tuesday April 8 / 10 Nissan
Anniversary of (1) The taking of the paschal lamb by the Children of Israel in Egypt without the Egyptians daring to attack them even though the lamb was their god; (2) Death of Miriam in the 40th year of wandering in the Wilderness; (3) Miracle of the splitting of the River Jordan when the Israelites entered the Land under Joshua.
We are now in the final count-down of days before Pesach. As we work to clean out the Chametz and make our other preparations for the festival, let's remember to offer our personal prayers from the heart for all that we need personally and collectively.
Thursday April 10 / 12 Nissan
FAST OF THE FIRSTBORN
The customary Fast of the Firstborn commemorating the delivery of the Israelite firstborn in Egypt is this year brought forward to today. In many synagogues it is customary to complete the study of a Talmudic Masechta (tractate) and celebrate the siyyum with a festive meal, giving the firstborn the opportunity to waive their fast in order to participate in this mitzvah-feast.
Sale of Chametz: Those who would lose financially by destroying their Chametz may take advantage of the rabbinic ordinance of Mechirat Chametz -- selling of the Chametz to a gentile with the proviso that if he fails to pay by a specified date, the Chametz will return to the ownership of the Jew after Pesach. The sale of Chametz should be arranged by Thursday evening. To arrange online, click here..
Thursday evening April 10 / 13 Nissan
SEARCH FOR CHAMETZ
Search for Chametz (Bedikat Chametz): Since this year the eve of Pesach falls on Shabbat, the customary "Search for Chametz" in our homes by the light of a candle is performed this evening after the evening prayer service, as soon as possible after nightfall. For detailed guidance on how to perform the search, click here.
Friday morning April 11 / 13 Nissan
All remaining Chametz besides the food for Friday and the Shabbat challah loaves and other Chametz foods must be burned in the earlier part of the morning. For detailed guidance on procedure in a year like ours when the eve of Pesach falls on Shabbat, click here.
Friday night-Saturday
April 11-12 / 14 Nissan:
Pesach Eve and Shabbat HaGadol
The Torah reading is Tzav, Leviticus 6:1-8:36, setting forth the laws of the sacrificial rituals in the Temple. Special haftarah for Shabbat HaGadol Malachi 3:4-24 prophesying G-d's coming Day of Judgment.
Consumption of Chametz is permitted only in the earlier part of the morning. Consult your local rabbi for the time limit in your area. All remains of Chametz Shabbat foods should be disposed of (e.g. flushed down the lavatory) at this time.
It is customary to read the main narrative portion of the Pesach Haggadah on Shabbat afternoon in preparation for tonight's Pesach Seder. Many also have the custom of reciting special readings about the sacrifice of the Paschal Lamb, which was performed in the Temple on the afternoon of 14 Nissan.
Saturday night April 13 / 15 Nissan
First night of Pesach: The Pesach Seder: For a complete guide to the Pesach Seder on this most important night in the Torah calendar, click here.