בס“ד Nisan 5771/2011 SPECIAL DAYS IN NISAN Volume 22, Issue 1 Nisan 1/April 5/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, who was also the first to jump into the Yam Suf. Inside this issue: Yecheskel Hanavi prophesied on the fall of Egypt in the time of Nebuchadnetzer, the king Special Days 1 of Bavel [Yecheskal 29:17]. We read it for the Haftorah of Parshas Vaera. Laws & Customs of Pesach 5 Ezra Left Bavel with many Jews on Rosh Minhagim for Pesach 12 Chodesh Nisan and they reached Yeru- shalayim on Rosh Chodesh Av. Pesach with the Rebbe 13 Ezra finished his investigation and separated Acharon Shel Pesach 5666 16 all those who had inter-married. [Ezrah 10:17] It‟s Up To Us 18 Calendar 19 Chabad Chodesh Nisan 5771 CONGREGATION LEVI YI Yartzeit of Nadav and Avihu, 2449 spiritual.‟” [Letter of the Rebbe, Adar day. (1312 BCE). "...A Choson and Kalah 25, 5710] fast today, even though it's Rosh Bnei Yisrael crossed the Yarden and Chodesh, because it's a day of the Nisan 3/April 7/Thursday put up twelve monuments at Gilgal, death of Tzadikim, the sons of Yartzeit of R. Levi Yitzchok Slonim, 2488 (1273 BCE). [Yehoshua 4:20] Aharon." son of Rebbetzin Menuchah Rochel, daughter of the Mitteler Rebbe, Nisan 11/April 15/Friday "...Whoever goes out in the days of 5655 (1895). He was one of the Birthday of the Rebbe, 5662 (1902). Nisan and sees [fruit] trees heads of Kolel Chabad in Chevron. Chasidim have a custom to say the blossoming must bless: Rebbe‟s chapter of Tehilim daily. We .Nisan 5/April 9/Shabbos begin saying Chapter 110 ברוך אתה ה‘ אלוקינו מלך העולם Yehoshua sent scouts to Yericho, “The previous Rebbe said, „Every שלא חיסר בעולמו כלום BCE). [Yehoshua 2:1] Chassid should say a chapter of 1273) 2488 וברא בו בריות טובות ואילנות טובות Tehillim every day, that the merit of ליהנות בהם בני אדם "Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, Yartzeit of R. Avrohom Yehoshua the Rebbeim should be extended to King of the universe, who did not Heschel of Apta, author of Oheiv him, and the revelation of light leave out anything from his world, Yisrael, 5585 (1825). should be received in an inner way.‟ and created in it good creations and This is the chapter of Tehillim of the good trees to give enjoyment to Yartzeit of R. Shneur Zalman of Lu- Rebbe.” [Sicha, Shabbos Mevarchim people". blin, Rav of Polotzk, Lublin, and of Av, 5710] "He blesses only the first time he the Chassidim of Eretz Yisrael, au- see them in the year". [Alter Rebbe, thor of Toras Chesed, one of the Communal Bris of Bnei Yisrael, up- Seder Birchos HaNehenin 12:14] great Poskim in the time of the on entering Eretz Yisrael, for all Jews Tzemach Tzedek, 5662 (1902). The not circumcised in the desert, 2488 Nisan 2/April 6/Wednesday Tzemach Tzedek admired him great- (1273 BCE). [Yehoshua 5:7] Moshe Rabeinu made the first Parah ly. [Likutei Diburim, Vol. II; 17] Yartzeit of R. Mosheh b. Nachman, Adumah (Red Heifer), 2449 (1312 the Ramban, Talmudist, Kabbalist BCE). Nisan 7/April 11/Monday and commentator on Chumash, "...There were nine red heifers End of mourning period for Moshe 5030 (1270). from the time they were Rabbeinu, 2488 (1273 BCE). commanded to observe this Mitzvah Yartzeit of R. Yeshayahu Hurwitz, until the Second Beis HaMikdash Yartzeit of R. Yitzchok of Dravitch, Kabbalist, author of Shnei Luchos was destroyed: Moshe Rabeinu did student of the Baal Shem Tov, 5504 Habris, (“SheLaH”), 5390 (1630). the first, Ezra did the second; there (1744). Before the Alter Rebbe traveled to were seven after Ezra and the tenth the Mezeritcher Magid, he knew all will be done by M e l ec h Nisan 8/April 12/Tuesday of the Shnei Luchos Habris by heart. HaMashiach, may he quickly be Yartzeit of R. Eliyahu Hakadosh of He was a “SheLaH Yid”, he studied revealed, Amen, may it be His York, Rabbeinu Yom Tov, and sever- the “SheLaH”, gave classes in it, will." [Rambam, Hilchos Parah al other English Tosafists, who per- Davened and practiced according to Adumah 3:4] ished at Clifford‟s Tower, during the the SheLaH. [Sefer Hamaamarim, Crusades, 4906 (1146). 5708]. He organized a Minyan ac- Yartzeit of our holy Master, Rabbi Yartzeit of R. Yaakov Tzvi Yales of cording to the practices of the Sholom Dov Ber, the Rebbe RaShaB, Premezyl, Kabbalist and Talmudist, SheLaH. [Sefer Hasichos, 5705]. The of blessed memory, fifth Lubavitcher author of Melo Haroim and Kehilas Alter Rebbe said he had taken much Rebbe, 5680 (1920). He founded Yaakov, 5585 (1825). from him (in Chassidus). [Sefer Ha- Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim. “The Tzemach Tzedek cites him maamarim 5710]. “...This day, the Yartzeit of the many times as a basis for ideas in Rebbe RaShaB, is the beginning of Chassidus ChaBaD...” [Sichah, She- Nisan 12/April 16 the leadership of my saintly father- vat 10, 5722] Shabbos HaGodol in-law. This day is meritorious for On the Shabbos before Pesach the everyone to accept upon them- Nisan 9/April 13/Wednesday Jews in Mitzrayim took lambs for selves, with a firm commitment to Arrest of R. Levi Yitzchok Schneer- the Korban Pesach. The Egyptians go in their way that they taught, for son, father of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, gathered and asked the Jews what the entire year, and they will be 5698 (1938). they were doing. They answered that blessed, as they prophesied, „This is HaShem had commanded them to the vessel to receive their blessing in Nisan 10/April 14/Thursday use the lambs as a sacrifice, after the material and the Yartzeit of Miriam, 2487 (1274 which HaShem would kill the BCE). Miriam‟s well dried up that firstborn Egyptians. The first born VOLUME 22, ISSUE 1 Page 2 Egyptians went to their parents and Naomi and Rus returned from the Daniel saved from lion‟s den, 3389 Paroh to ask that the Jews be sent fields of Moav to Beis Lechem. (372 BCE). [Daniel 6:23] out. When they refused, it caused a We begin counting the Omer on the war between the firstborn and the Birthday of R. Mosheh b. Maimon, Second Night of Pesach, Tuesday other Egyptians, 2448 (1313 BCE). the Rambam, in Cordova, Spain Night. [Alter Rebbe‟s Shulchan Aruch, 4895 (1135). I:430] Second Seder Tuesday Night Hevel and Kayin brought their sacri- After Mincha we read the Hagadah fices. (Targum Yonason b. Uziel). Nisan 16/April 20/Wednesday from Avadim Hayinu to l‟chaper al Second day of Pesach kol avonoseinu. After Mincha we say the Seder Kor- bon Pesach — the order of the Pe- Birth of Levi son of Yaakov Avinu, Nisan 13/April 17/Sunday sach offering. 2195 (1566 BCE) and his Yartzeit Bedikas Chometz - the formal search [Yalkut Shimoni, Shemos] for Chametz is tonight. First Seder, Monday Night Supply of Mon exhausted after Jews Bris of Avraham Avinu, 2048 (1714 Nisan 15/April 19/Tuesday crossed into Eretz Yisroel, 2488 BCE). First Day of Pesach (1273 BCE). [Kiddushin 38a] Haman sent scrolls announcing his Yetzias Mitzrayim, 2448 (1313 Omer brought the first time, 2488 decree. Esther ordered a three day BCE). (1273 BCE). [Yehoshua 5:11, Rosh 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.