בס“ד Nisan 5777/2017 SPECIAL DAYS IN NISAN Volume 28, Issue 1 Nisan 1/March 28/ Tuesday Rosh Chodesh Nisan In Nisan the Avos were born and died. [Rosh HaShanah, 11a] In Nisan our fathers were redeemed and in Nisan we will be redeemed. [Rosh HaShanah, 11a] The dedication of the Mishkan began on Nisan 1, 2449 (1312 BCE) and Moshe Rabeinu completed the consecration of Aharon and his sons. Aharon brought the first sacrifices. The Nesiim, heads of the tribes, brought sacrifices from the first until the twelfth of Nisan, to dedicate the Mishkan. "...We don't fast in Nisan, nor decree a fast on the community, a custom based on the words of the Chachamim [Maseches Soferim]: The Nesiim began to bring their sacrifices in Nisan, through the twelfth. Each day was the Chizkiyahu HaMelech began recon-struction Nasi's own Yom Tov. The fourteenth is Erev Pesach, followed by eight days of Pesach; since of the first Beis HaMikdash, 3199 (562 BCE). most of the month went by in holiness, we [Divrei HaYamim II, 29-17] make it all holy as a Yom Tov..." [Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch, 429:9] (And thus, we don't During the dedication of the Second Beis say Tachnun, "Av HaRachamim" or HaMikdash, [Ezra 6:15-18] "...They brought "Tzidkascha" in Nisan) sacrifices just as they did in the days of Moshe Rabeinu" [Menachos 45a], 3413 (348 From Rosh Chodesh Nisan until Nisan 12, we BCE). say the daily Parshah of the sacrifice of each Nasi, after Shacharis, followed by "Yehi On Rosh Chodesh Nisan the dedication of the Ratzon". (See Siddur). On the thirteenth, we third Beis HaMikdash will begin [Yechezkel read "Zos Chanukas." (see Siddur) 45:18] The first Nasi to bring sacrifices, on Nisan 1, TZCHOK CHABAD OF HANCOCKwas PARK Nachshon ben Aminadav, of Yehudah, Yartzeit of Nadav and Avihu, 2449 (1312 who was also the first to jump into the Yam BCE). "...A Choson and Kalah fast today, even Suf. though it's Rosh Chodesh, because it's a day of the death of Tzadikim, the sons of Aharon." Yecheskel Hanavi prophesied on the fall of Egypt in the time of Nebuchadnetzer, the king "...Whoever goes out in the days of Nisan and of Bavel [Yecheskal 29:17]. We read it for the sees [fruit] trees blossoming must bless: ברוך אתה ה‘ אלוקינו מלך העולם .Haftorah of Parshas Vaera שלא חיסר בעולמו כלום וברא בו בריות טובות ואילנות טובות Ezra Left Bavel with many Jews on Rosh ליהנות בהם בני אדם -Chodesh Nisan and they reached Yeru shalayim on Rosh Chodesh Av. "Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who did not leave out anything Ezra finished his investigation and separated from his world, and created in it good all those who had inter-married. [Ezrah 10:17] creations and good trees to give enjoyment to people". Chabad Chodesh Nisan 5777 CONGREGATION LEVI YI "He blesses only the first time he thor of Toras Chesed, one of the Communal Bris of Bnei Yisrael, up- see them in the year". [Alter Rebbe, great Poskim in the time of the on entering Eretz Yisrael, for all Jews Seder Birchos HaNehenin 12:14] Tzemach Tzedek, 5662 (1902). The not circumcised in the desert, 2488 Tzemach Tzedek admired him great- (1273 BCE). [Yehoshua 5:7] Nisan 2/March 29/Wednesday ly. [Likutei Diburim, Vol. II; 17] Yartzeit of R. Mosheh b. Nachman, Moshe Rabeinu made the first Parah the Ramban, Talmudist, Kabbalist Adumah (Red Heifer), 2449 (1312 Nisan 7/April 3/Monday and commentator on Chumash, BCE). End of mourning period for Moshe 5030 (1270). "...There were nine red heifers Rabbeinu, 2488 (1273 BCE). from the time they were Yartzeit of R. Yeshayahu Hurwitz, commanded to observe this Mitzvah Yartzeit of R. Yitzchok of Dravitch, Kabbalist, author of Shnei Luchos until the Second Beis HaMikdash student of the Baal Shem Tov, 5504 Habris, (“SheLaH”), 5390 (1630). was destroyed: Moshe Rabeinu did (1744). Before the Alter Rebbe traveled to the first, Ezra did the second; there the Mezeritcher Magid, he knew all were seven after Ezra and the tenth Nisan 8/April 4/Tuesday of the Shnei Luchos Habris by heart. will be done by M e l ec h Yartzeit of R. Eliyahu Hakadosh of He was a “SheLaH Yid”, he studied HaMashiach, may he quickly be York, Rabbeinu Yom Tov, and sever- the “SheLaH”, gave classes in it, revealed, Amen, may it be His al other English Tosafists, who per- Davened and practiced according to will." [Rambam, Hilchos Parah ished at Clifford’s Tower, during the the SheLaH. [Sefer Hamaamarim, Adumah 3:4] Crusades, 4906 (1146). 5708]. He organized a Minyan ac- Yartzeit of R. Yaakov Tzvi Yales of cording to the practices of the Yartzeit of our holy Master, Rabbi Premezyl, Kabbalist and Talmudist, SheLaH. [Sefer Hasichos, 5705]. The Sholom Dov Ber, the Rebbe RaShaB, author of Melo Haroim and Kehilas Alter Rebbe said he had taken much of blessed memory, fifth Lubavitcher Yaakov, 5585 (1825). from him (in Chassidus). [Sefer Ha- Rebbe, 5680 (1920). He founded “The Tzemach Tzedek cites him maamarim 5710]. Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim. many times as a basis for ideas in “...This day, the Yartzeit of the Chassidus ChaBaD...” [Sichah, She- Nisan 12/April 8/ Rebbe RaShaB, is the beginning of vat 10, 5722] Shabbos HaGodol the leadership of my saintly father- On the Shabbos before Pesach the in-law. This day is meritorious for Nisan 9/April 5/Wednesday Jews in Mitzrayim took lambs for everyone to accept upon them- Arrest of R. Levi Yitzchok Schneer- the Korban Pesach. The Egyptians selves, with a firm commitment to son, father of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, gathered and asked the Jews what go in their way that they taught, for 5698 (1938). they were doing. They answered that the entire year, and they will be HaShem had commanded them to blessed, as they prophesied, ‘This is Nisan 10/April 6/Thursday use the lambs as a sacrifice, after the vessel to receive their blessing in Yartzeit of Miriam, 2487 (1274 which HaShem would kill the the material and the BCE). Miriam’s well dried up that firstborn Egyptians. The first born spiritual.’” [Letter of the Rebbe, Adar day. Egyptians went to their parents and 25, 5710] Paroh to ask that the Jews be sent Bnei Yisrael crossed the Yarden and out. When they refused, it caused a Nisan 3/March 30/Thursday put up twelve monuments at Gilgal, war between the firstborn and the Yartzeit of R. Levi Yitzchok Slonim, 2488 (1273 BCE). [Yehoshua 4:20] other Egyptians, 2448 (1313 BCE). son of Rebbetzin Menuchah Rochel, [Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch, daughter of the Mitteler Rebbe, Nisan 11/April 7/Friday I:430] 5655 (1895). He was one of the Birthday of the Rebbe, 5662 (1902). heads of Kolel Chabad in Chevron. Chasidim have a custom to say the After Mincha we read the Hagadah Rebbe’s chapter of Tehilim daily. We from Avadim Hayinu to l’chaper al Nisan 5/April 1/Shabbos begin saying Chapter 116. kol avonoseinu. Yehoshua sent scouts to Yericho, “The previous Rebbe said, ‘Every 2488 (1273 BCE). [Yehoshua 2:1] Chassid should say a chapter of Nisan 13/April 9/Sunday Tehillim every day, that the merit of Bedikas Chometz - the formal search Yartzeit of R. Avrohom Yehoshua the Rebbeim should be extended to for Chametz is tonight. Heschel of Apta, author of Oheiv him, and the revelation of light Yisrael, 5585 (1825). should be received in an inner way.’ Bris of Avraham Avinu, 2048 (1714 This is the chapter of Tehillim of the BCE). Yartzeit of R. Shneur Zalman of Lu- Rebbe.” [Sicha, Shabbos Mevarchim blin, Rav of Polotzk, Lublin, and of Av, 5710] Haman sent scrolls announcing his the Chassidim of Eretz Yisrael, au- decree. Esther ordered a three day VOLUME 28, ISSUE 1 Page 2 fast, [Esther 3:12, 4:16] 3404 (357 HaShanah 13a] BCE) We pray for dew and begin to say “Morid Hatal” at Musaf. Angel orders Gidon to attack Midian Yartzeit of R. Yosef Karo, author of [Shoftim 6:19] the Beis Yosef on Tur, Shulchan Sarah brought to house of Pharoh, Aruch, Kesef Mishneh on the Ram- 2023 (1738 BCE), [Yalkut Shimoni] Chizkiyahu Hamelech completed bam, and Magid Meisharim, in (and to the house of Avimelech) rededication of Beis Hamikdash, Tzfas, 5335 (1575). [Targum to Esther 5:1] 3199 (562 BCE). [Divrei Hayamim II 29:17] Yartzeit of R. Mosheh Alsheikh, Dar- Avraham fought the four kings to shan of Tzfas, author of Toras save Lot. [Rashi, Bereishis 14:15] Haman hanged, 3404 (357 BCE). Moshe, in Tzfas, 5358 (1598) [Esther 7:10] Bris Bein Habesarim with Avraham, Yartzeit of our holy Master, Rabbi 2018 (1743 BCE). [Seder Olam] Yartzeit of R. Mordechai Dov Ber Menachem Mendel, the Tzemach Twerski of Tomashpol, son of R. No- Tzedek, third Lubavitcher Rebbe, chum, son of the Mitteler Rebbe, author of Tzemach Tzedek, 5626 The angels informed Sarah that she 5680 (1920). [The name Twerski (1866). would have a son, 2047 (1714 was from his maternal grandfather, BCE). R. Yaakov Yisroel of Czerkass, who Nisan 14/April 10/Monday had no sons]. Erev Pesach Birth of Yitzchok, 2048 (1713 BCE). Taanis Bechorim When HaShem Yitzchok summoned Eisav and We start to say ‘Visein Brachah’, in killed the Egyptian firstborn, He blessed Yaakov, and blessed him Maariv, Motzei Yom Tov, Nisan 17, spared the firstborn Jews. Firstborn with Tal, the dew of the heavens, April 12, Wednesday Night. males (and fathers of firstborn sons 2171 (1590 BCE).