New Beginnings

In Judaism, we often celebrate beginnings: Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of the year; Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the month; Bar and Bat mitzvah, the beginning of adulthood. All of these celebrations mark the start of something new, each giving us a chance for a new beginning.

We usually think of Tishrei as the first month of the Hebrew year which makes sense since Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, is celebrated in that month. However, according to the Torah, the year actually begins in the month of Nissan –the month of Pesach, or Passover.

The month of Nissan, to us, may seem random – a weird time for a New Year to begin. 

But if we think about it, it makes perfect sense because Pesach is the celebration of the Jewish exodus from Egypt. It is a holiday in which we celebrate the renewal and rebirth of our nation, a holiday of joy and new beginnings – the holiday of freedom.

However, as we all know, beginnings cannot happen without endings; a new chapter cannot begin without the end of the previous one. We see this in Havdalah each week, where we recite blessings over the end of Shabbat and the beginning of a blessed new week to come. Another example of this would be Yom Kippur. A time when we take account of our year, when we repent and reflect, and, ultimately, strive to end the previous year and begin the new one on a positive and loving note with Hashem. 

An indication as to how we should bring in this new year and this particular new chapter in our lives is seen through the building of the Ohel Moed which was finalized on Rosh Chodesh Nissan. The Ohel Moed, or  tent of meeting, was the place where Hashem’s presence would come down to talk to Moshe and to the Jewish people. It was a place of communication, mutual love and respect. 

This Pesach, our nation's “New Year”, should be treated in the same way as the Ohel Moed. We should take this chance at renewal, and new beginnings  to take account of our past year. Be open, communicative, and honest with Hashem and all those you love. Reach out, reflect, and, if needed, repent and take the opportunity to start this year off in a better spot than where you ended it. Start the year in Ohel Moed, and Be’Ezrat Hashem, in a time of Geulah.

May this holiday bring us joy, love, connection, and the true freedom of Mashiach!