Not only is it
the first of the month of Nisan and the first full day of spring, it also is Shabbat Ha-Chodesh, which marks the beginning of one of the four
new years on the Hebrew calendar. This day begins the liturgical year as was
referenced in the Rosh Chodesh parashah we
read this morning: “God spoke to Moses and Aaron when they were
in Egypt and said, ‘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 12:1-2). The
liturgical year ties all Jewish festivals to the Exodus from Egypt so its beginning now -- less than two weeks before Passover -- is most apt.
