B"H
Thursday, Nissan 5, 5785 / April 3, 2025
In the Torah, the months are referred to by numbers, not by name. The month of Nissan is called the "first month".
The Torah tells us that Pesach (Passover) is on the fifteenth day of the first month. Rosh Hashana is on the first day of the seventh month and Yom Kippur on the tenth day of the seventh month.
Q. Why are the months called by numbers in the Torah?
A. The reason for this is connected with the holiday of Pesach and the Exodus.
The Torah commands us, “Remember the Exodus all the days of your life.” In the Haggadah, which we will recite at the Pesach Seder, we say, "In every generation one is obligated to view himself as if he has gone out from Egypt."
Remembering the Exodus is a DAILY mitzvah. It applies not only to Pesach, but to the entire year. On Pesach we perform special mitzvot to remember the Exodus. We eat matzah, we perform the Seder, we eat maror etc. However, remembering the miracle of the Exodus is one of six remembrances which we must remember each day of our life.
One way to remember and integrate the Exodus into our daily activities is by referring to the months by numbers. This way, each month is in relation to the first month, Nissan. For example, Tishrei is the seventh month from Nissan. Thus, we always remember the month of Nissan and, by implication, the miracle of the Exodus.
The name of this month, "Nissan," comes from the Hebrew word "Nes" which means "miracle".
Q.The traditional festival greeting for all other festivals is, “Chag Sameach” – which translates to, Happy holiday. Why is the traditional Pesach greeting, “Chag Kasher VeSameach” – which means, A kosherand happy holiday?A Jewish home should be kosher all year long. Why this special wish for Pesach?
A.A Jewish home has to be kosher all year round. However, the laws of Pesach are very strictand the prohibitions for Pesach are many. Many foods which are kosher all year round may not be kosher for Passover. Thus, we need to make an extra effort to be sure that our home is kosher for Pesach. Not only are we not allowed to eat foods which are prohibited on Pesach, but we are also not allowed to have them in our possession during the entire holiday.
With all the effort we make to clean our home for Pesach and buy only kosher for Pesach products, we can use a special blessingthat no accidents or oversight will happen and that everything will indeed be kosher for Pesach. This is why we wish each other - A KOSHER and happy Pesach.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW