Nissan
MONTHS
Nissan
About
Nissan is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar when counting from Tishrei, although it is counted as the first month in the Bible itself. Like all Hebrew months, the name Nissan is of Babylonian origin, corresponding to the constellation of the Ram (Aries), visible in the night sky during this lunar month. Nisan usually overlaps the solar months of March and April.
The first mention of this month is in the Book of Exodus:
“This month shall mark for you the beginning of the months; it shall be the first of the months of the year for you.” (Exodus 12:2)
Another name for Nissan is “Chodesh Aviv” – “the month of Spring”:
“You go free on this day, in the month of Aviv.” (Exodus 13:4)
The name Nisan first appears in the Scroll of Esther:
“In the first month, that is, the month of Nissan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, pur—which means “the lot”—was cast before Haman concerning every day and every month, [until it fell on] the twelfth month, that is, the month of Adar.” (Esther 3:7)
Tribe
TRIBE
Judah
The name Judah means to acknowledge or thank. Judah, though not the oldest, was the leader of the tribes and the forefather of King David. The key to being a successful leader is to acknowledge the true source of your strength and power, an idea that was built into his name.
Because Yoseph was such a great person, his father Jacob blessed him with two tribes under the leadership of his two sons Ephraim and Menashe (Manasseh).
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Stone
Blue Emerald
Nissan’s stone in the High Priest’s breastplate is the Nophech (Blue Emerald)
Bible Verse
“שָׁלֹשׁ רְגָלִים, תָּחֹג לִי בַּשָּׁנָה. אֶת-חַג הַמַּצּוֹת, תִּשְׁמֹר–שִׁבְעַת יָמִים תֹּאכַל מַצּוֹת כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוִּיתִךָ לְמוֹעֵד חֹדֶשׁ הָאָבִיב, כִּי-בוֹ יָצָאתָ מִמִּצְרָיִם; וְלֹא-יֵרָאוּ פָנַי, רֵיקָם.”
Shalosh regalim, tachog li bashanah. Et-chag hammatzot, tishmor–shiv’at yamim tochal matzot ka’asher tzivviticha lemo’ed chodesh ha’aviv, ki-vo yatzata mimmitzrayim; velo-yera’u fanai, reikam.
Three times a year you shall hold a festival for Me: You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Exodus 23:14,15
Holidays
Pesach/
Passover
(NISSAN 15-21)
Passover celebrates the Exodus from Egypt. The holiday begins with the Seder night, when the story of Passover is retold over four cups of wine, matzah, a festive meal and songs. In the Land of Israel, this is a 7-day festival, while outside of Israel, the holiday is celebrated for 8 days.
Mimouna
(NISSAN 22)
Celebrated by Moroccan Jews on the day after Passover when leavened foods are once again allowed to be eaten, Mimouna is derived from the Hebrew word emunah, faith. Participants in Mimouna joyously express their faith in the coming of the redemption.
Yom HaShoah/
Holocaust Memorial Day
(NISSAN 27)
This day in Israel is marked with nationwide memorials to remember the atrocities of the Holocaust. The date chosen commemorates the start of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising.
Notable Dates in the Month of Nisan
1 Nisan
(1638 BCE)
Death of Abraham
1 Nisan
(1533 BCE)
Death of Isaac according to the Talmud
1 Nisan
(1506 BCE)
Death of Jacob according to the Talmud
10 Nisan
(1417 BCE)
Death of Miriam the prophetess, 39 years after the Exodus
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In recent years, many non-Jews who are interested in exploring the Jewish roots of their Christian faith are embracing the Jewish High Holy Days.
Watch a cute video about Rosh Hashana that explains some of the Jewish customs of the holiday.