The Month of Nisan According to the Book of Formation (Sefer Yetzirah)
Speak Your Faith
In this article, after providing a basic introduction to the study of the months of the year in Kabbalah, Harav Ginsburgh discusses the month of Nisan and its sense (speech), its tribe (Judah), its letter (hei), and its sefirah and inner motivator (crown and faith). He then shows how all of these concepts are found in the Seder.
Head Over Heels
About the first day of Nisan, the Torah writes: “This month [Nisan] will be counted by you as the first of the months.” The mishnah describes the first of Nisan as, “The new year for kings and festivals.” In this article, Harav Ginsburgh explores the deep connection between kings, the festivals, and the first day of Nisan.
The Month of Redemption
Our sages say: “In Nissan our forefathers were redeemed from Egypt, and in Nissan we will be redeemed.” The name of the month, Nissan, is cognate to the word, Nissim, “miracles.” The two letters, nun, at the beginning and end of Nissan, allude, according to our sages, to “miracles of miracles” (nisai nissim).
Spring Fever
The month of Nisan is the month of spring. And with spring comes a great deal of love in the air. As nature awakens anew and expresses its love for the Creator, so our souls awaken with new love for the Almighty who redeemed us from Egypt and who will speedily redeem us from the final exile.
Something New is Beginning
It is not by chance that in Hebrew the word “month” (חוֹדֶשׁ) is from the same root as “new” (חָדָשׁ), because the new moon, which marks the beginning of the month, is a symbol of renewal. It is not by chance that the word “month” (חוֹדֶשׁ) is similar to the word “sanctity” (קוֹדֶשׁ), as in the phrase, “sanctifying the month” (קִידוּשׁ הַחוֹדֶשׁ). It is also not by chance that we mention this commandment on the Shabbat before the month of Nisan, as a sign that something new is beginning.
Transcripts:
Speak Your Faith (The Twelve Mystical Senses – part 1, Nisan 4, 5766)
Kabbalah Lessons from Reish Lakish and other Talmudic Sages (2 Nissan 5774)
A Government of Torah Personalities – Derech Chaim Conference (Rosh Chodesh Nisan 5773 )
Videos:
Passover / Pesach [Click Here for the Full Passover Page]
Pesach (“Passover”): Transforming Blemishes into Divine Wonders
The potential of every Jew is to express Divinity. The Hebrew word for Egypt, Mitzrayim, means “constraints.” Constraints are the inability to fully express oneself. In Egypt, the Jewish people were constrained, and could not fully express Divinity. The redemption from the constraints of Egypt is the Divine power and the miracle of the holiday of Pesach.
The Passover Seder Plate: Mystical Meditations
The Passover Seder is replete with revealed and hidden significance. The following is a brief outline of the mystical dimension of the Seder Plate.
Notable Dates in Nisan
2 Nisan – Yarhzeit of Rebbe Rashab
11 Nisan – Birthday of Lubavitcher Rebbe
13 Nisan – Yahrzeit of the Tzemach Tzedek
15-22 Nisan – Passover
