In the Hebrew calendar, Nisan is significant as it marks the beginning of the ecclesiastical year. Described as the 'first of the months of the year' (Exodus 12:1-2), the 'first month' (Ex 12:14), and the month of Aviv (בְּחֹ֖דֶשׁ הָאָבִֽיב), it is celebrated as the lunar New Year, signifying the onset of Spring. According to G‑d's instructions to Moses, "This month shall be for you the first of the months." Nisan is recognized as one of the "heads of the year" in the Talmud, alongside the universally known Rosh Hashanah, the head of the year which falls on the first of Tishrei. The name "Nisan" has Babylonian-Persian roots, like all the twelve months of the Hebrew Calendar, yet it also conveys the essence of Spring or blossoming. The Zodiac sign associated with Nisan is the "kid," representing the young goat, traditionally worshipped in Egypt but commanded as the Pesach sacrifice for the Jewish People.
On the 1st of Nisan, a significant date in the Jewish calendar, several key events unfolded. This day, which marks the beginning of the month of Aviv and symbolizes Spring, was initially designated as the first month of the year, later known as Nisan and in approximately 1456 BCE, a pivotal moment occurred when the first national mitzvah was bestowed upon the Jewish people, instructing them to align the calendar with the new moon of Aviv, as detailed in the Book of Exodus 12:1–2, 12:18.
Another crucial event tied to the 1st of Nisan includes the day the floodwaters subsided from the earth, as recounted in Genesis 8:10-13 this day, dated around 1455 BCE, coincided with the dispatch of a dove by Noah, which returned bearing an olive branch.
Furthermore, in the same year of approximately 1455 BCE, the Tabernacle (Mishkan) was inaugurated in its second year, as chronicled in Exodus 40. Tragically, this date also marks the passing of Nadab and Abihu.
[3 Nissan]
A decree expelling Jews from Spain and Sicily was issued in 1492.
On the 8th of Nissan, the feast of Achashveirosh concluded after 180 days. This day also marks the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Eliyahu Shapira of Prague, renowned author of Eliyahu Rabba in 1712. Moreover, a significant event in Jewish history occurred in 1772 with the announcement of the first rabbinic opposition to Hasidism in Vilna. Subsequently, a cheirem, supported by the Vilna Gaon, was issued in 1777 and reiterated in 1781.
9th of Nissan
The passing of R. Aryeh Levin, the "Tzaddik of Jerusalem" (1969)
R. Aryeh Levin, known as the "tzaddik [saint] of Jerusalem," was legendary for his selfless dedication to assisting his fellow Jews, whether the sick, the poor, or those suffering under the British regime during the Mandate of Palestine (1920–1948).
On the 10th of Nisan, around 1456 BCE, the Israelites commemorated the inaugural Shabbat HaGadol in Egypt five days before The Exodus. On the same date, approximately 1417 BCE, it marks the Yahrzeit of the prophetess Miriam, 39 years post-Exodus. Another significant event on 10 Nisan around 1416 BCE was the Israelites crossing the Jordan River into Canaan, as documented in the Book of Joshua. This date also signifies the Yahrzeit of Miriam and the ceasing of water flow from the mobile well that sustained the Jews in the desert. Furthermore, under the leadership of Yehoshua, the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and established 12 monuments at Gilgal. Tradition attributes the composition of the second paragraph of Birkat haMazon to Yehoshua during this period.
[11 Nissan]
Brit Mila ceremony for the generation of the Wilderness upon their entry to Eretz Yisrael.
Yahrzeit of the Ramban (1270) - Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman, a Torah scholar, Kabbalist, philosopher, physician, and Jewish leader.
Yahrzeit of the Sheloh (1630) - Rabbi Isaiah Halevi Horowitz, known as the "Sheloh Hakodosh," a renowned kabbalist and author of Shnei Luchot Habrit. He served in rabbinical roles across Europe before his passing in Tiberius at the age of 70
Passing of Sheloh (1630)
Rabbi Isaiah Halevi Horowitz was a noted kabbalist, famous as the "Sheloh Hakodosh" (the saintly Sheloh), the acronym of his magnum opus, Shnei Luchot Habrit.
He held Rabbinical positions in various European communities before emigrating to Israel. He passed away in Tiberius at the age of 70.
13 Nisan
(1575) – Death of Joseph Caro, author of the Shulchan Aruch.Yahrzeit of Rav Yoseph Caro, 1575.The passing of R. Moshe Alshich (1600)
The rabbi of the mystical city of Tzefat, Rabbi Moshe Alshich, left an indelible mark on Torah scholarship, both as a master of Halachah (Jewish law) and derush (Biblical homily). He passed away in 5360 (1600) at a ripe old age and is buried in the ancient cemetery of Tzefat.
On the 14th of Nissan, the Fast of the Firstborn is observed, where firstborn males above the age of Bar Mitzvah (13) traditionally fast. This fast commemorates the "Plague of the Firstborn," during which God spared Jewish firstborns when all firstborn Egyptians perished. Should a firstborn male in the family be under 13, the responsibility to fast falls to the father. However, a common practice permits firstborns to avoid fasting by partaking in a seudat mitzvah, like a siyyum—a celebratory meal marking the completion of Torah study.
[15 Nissan]
On the 15th of Nissan, Sara was brought to the house of Par'o. A covenant was established between God and Avraham, followed by the angels appearing to announce the birth of Yitzchak to Sara. Yitzchak then asked Eisav to prepare a meal and receive his blessing, which is rooted in the wording of Isaac's blessing. The Talmud designated Nisan 15 as the start of the harvest season and the end of the rainy season, emphasizing the importance of dew over rain. This day marks significant events: Moses witnessing the burning bush, the slaying of the Egyptian firstborn, the first day of Pesach symbolizing the Exodus, the destruction of the Assyrian army threatening Jerusalem, Job's Yahrzeit, Vashti's execution by Achashveirosh's decree, Esther's appeal for the Jews, the defenders of Masada's suicide in 73 C.E., the end of resistance against Roman conquest in Eretz Yisrael, the forced conversion order for Portuguese Jewish children in 1497, the birth of the Vilna Gaon in 1720, and the visit of angels to Abraham in 1714 BCE. On the third day post-circumcision at age 99, Abraham received a visit from three angels:
Rephael healed him.
Michael conveyed the news of Sarah giving birth in a year.
Gabriel departed to Sodom for its destruction.
[19 Nissan]
Yahrzeit of Rabbi Meir Bar-Ilan, the esteemed leader of Mizrachi, was a distinguished scholar and author in 1949.
The passing of Rabbi Yehoshua Falk Katz (1614) is noted for his notable works in Jewish law, specifically the commentaries Derishah and Perishah on Rabbi Jacob ben Asher's halachic code Arbaah Turim, as well as Sefer Me'iras Einayim (known as Sm" a) on Rabbi Yosef Caro's Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law). These significant commentaries are featured in all standard editions of the mentioned works.
Rabbi Yehoshua's wife, Beila, was highly regarded for her piety and erudition and is credited with several original Torah interpretations.
The passing of Rabbi Aharon of Karlin ("the Great") in 1772 is acknowledged for his impactful contributions to the dissemination of Chassidic teachings in Lita (Lithuania-Belarus) during his 36-year lifespan (1736-1772). A prominent disciple of the Maggid of Mezritch and a respected scholar and educator, Rabbi Aharon was known for his fervent prayers and encouragement of others in their spiritual practices. He authored the beloved Shabbat hymn "Kah Echsof," widely sung at Shabbat gatherings worldwide, and his exemplary mode of Divine service continues to influence Chassidic communities of Karlin (Stolin), Slonim and beyond.
[20 Nissan]
Par'o and his pursuing army caught up with the Jews encamped at Pi-HaChirot by the sea.
Yahrzeit of Rav Hai Gaon, the last of the geonim of Pumpedita, 1038. [The death of Rav Hai Gaon brought to a close the glorious epoch of Babylonian Jewry. Babylonia has been the center of Jewish culture and creative scholarship for over eight centuries. Its leaders provided guidance and direction of Jewish religious development worldwide. After the decline of Babylonian Jewry, the center of Jewish culture shifted in succeeding stages to North Africa, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Turkish Empire, and Eastern Europe. The post-Nazi period has witnessed the emergence of two new centers of Jewish learning – Israel and the United States.]
21 of Nissan
Red Sea Splits (1313 BCE)
On the eve of the seventh day after the Exodus, the Children of Israel found themselves trapped between the Egyptian army and cavalry pursuing them from behind and the waters of the Red Sea before them. G-d commanded Moses: "Speak to the Children of Israel, that they should move forward!" Nachshon ben Aminadav of the tribe of Judah was the first to jump into the sea; the water split, and "the children of Israel walked across on the dry land amid the sea." All that night, a pillar of fire intervened between the Egyptians and the Israelites. When the Egyptians followed, the waters returned to their natural state and place and drowned them. The Children of Israel sang the "Song at the Sea" in praise and gratitude to G-d.
[22 Nissan]
Yehoshua began his march around Jericho. The encirclement of Yericho, which led to its destruction within seven days, constituted the first Jewish military action in ancient Eretz Yisrael.
25 of Nissan
Passing of R. Chaim Halberstam of Sanz (1876)
R. Chaim Halberstam served as rabbi of Sanz, Poland, and founded the Sanz Chassidic dynasty. His halachic responsa and Torah expositions were published under the name Divrei Chaim. He passed away on 25 Nissan in the year 5636 (1876).
27 of Nissan
On the 27th of Nissan, 1943, during the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, approximately 35,000 Jews out of the original 450,000 staged a resistance against the Nazis, lasting 27 days. Mordechai Anilevitch, a 24-year-old fighter, led the uprising. Despite the Ghetto being destroyed by Iyar 3, some survivors continued to resist for two additional months. The Israeli government later marked the 27th of Nissan as "Holocaust and Bravery Day" in honor of the event. This day serves as a Holocaust remembrance day in various Jewish communities. However, due to the halachic prohibition of mournful events in Nissan, the 10th of Tevet is a day to remember the six million.
[30 Nissan]
On Nissan 30, we commemorate the Yahrzeit of renowned Kabbalist Rabbi Chaim Vital (1542? -1620), author of the mystical work Eitz Chaim. Rabbi Chaim, a prominent disciple of Rabbi Isaac Luria (the "Holy Ari," 1534-1572), transcribed his teachings, which laid the foundation for the "Lurianic" Kabbalah.
We also remember Rabbi Joseph Ibn Migash (1141), who succeeded Rabbi Yitzchak Alfasi as head of the Talmudic Academy in Lucena, Spain. He imparted his sought-after halachic opinions and teachings to disciples like Rabbi Maimon, father of Maimonides.
In addition, we honor the memory of Rabbi Jacob Emden (1776), a distinguished scholar known as Yaavetz (Yaakov ben Tzvi). His zealousness and dedication to upholding his beliefs reflected in works like Siddur Yaavetz, left a lasting legacy in the Jewish scholarly community.
Furthermore, we recall the eight martyred Jews in Przemysl, Poland, in 1659 and the legacy of Rabbi Jacob Emden (Ya'vez) as a scholar and author of Bet Yaakov, known for his stand against the Shaabbatean heresy. Their yahrzeits on Rosh Chodesh Iyar symbolize a legacy of scholarship, dedication, and unwavering commitment to Jewish tradition.