By Rabbi Alberto Sermoneta
Written in 2020
"Ha chodesh ha ze lakhem rosh chodashim rishon hu lakhem le chodshé ha shanà - This month shall be unto you the beginning of months, it shall be the first month of the year to you"
The Torah commands us to celebrate as the beginning of the year rosh chodesh Nissan, called by the Torah itself "chodesh ha Aviv - the month of spring". Spring is considered by human beings to be the most beautiful season of the year, the season in which all human hopes are placed; the hopes for a bright period, just as its days are bright; for a period that can make us forget the ailments that winter has brought into our homes and hope for better times for humanity.
The Torah urges us, still regarding the festival of Pesach, which falls during this period, by saying: "ushmartem et chodesh ha aviv - cherish the month of spring, for in it you went out from Egypt".
The masters of our tradition indicate this as the month of redemption, saying:
"for in Nissan you were redeemed from Egypt, in Nissan you shall be redeemed from every suffering".
I wish for all of us that the entry of this month, so important and so beautiful, may bring to each of us and into our homes light, warmth, healing and peace.
May the Lord G-d protect all men, heal those who are ill and bring consolation to the families of those who have left us because of this epidemic. May He bring to us, the House of Israel, the end of all physical and moral suffering, blessing every man with healing and health.
Chodesh tov