Rosh Chodesh for Nisan Tuesday, March 16th

        Leshanah tovah! (To a good year! - Happy New Year!)

         From God's perspective and using His calendar, the First of Nisan is the beginning of the year: "You are to begin your calendar with this month; it will be the first month of the year for you." Exodus 12:2.

         What better time to mark the first of the month, Rosh Chodesh, than now?

        Tuesday, March 16th is the first day for the month of Nisan, the Hebrew month of Redemption. It is celebrated the evening before: Monday, March 15th.

         Passover is 14 days from Rosh Chodesh.

        Rosh Chodesh means "head or first of the month". The new moon marks the beginning of each month on the lunar calendar.

         Rosh Chodesh is biblically mandated to be celebrated each month. When the Temple was still standing in Jerusalem, specific sacrifices were to be made in honor of the day.

        In modern times, the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh is known as Shabbat Mevarekhim, which means "the Sabbath of blessing." After the Torah reading in the Shabbat service, the prayer leader holds the Torah scroll, recites a blessing hoping for a good month, then announces the day of the upcoming week when the new month will begin and the name of the new month.

        The special Torah (Bible) reading for the Rosh Chodesh before Passover is Ezekiel 45:16-46:18.

        In some Jewish and Messianic communities, the people assemble and have a party each month on Erev Rosh Chodesh (Evening before). Just imagine, a party every month!

        Meanwhile, most people acknowledge the day by saying a prayer on the eve of Rosh Chadesh which, for this new month would be Monday, March 15th.

The prayer is: "May it be your will Adonai our God and God of our fathers to renew this coming month to us for goodness and blessing. Grant us long life, a life of peace, goodness and sustenance, a life in which there will be love of Torah and fear of heaven."

Read more about Rosh Chodesh at Judaism 101.

Nisan 1 Neat 'tid bits'

         The month of Nisan (called Aviv in the Bible) is the first month of the Hebrew year according to God's calandar.

         It marks the beginning of the month of the Exodus from Egypt and the beginning of Jewish national history as well. It is also the first month used for counting the festivals (mo'edim) of the Hebrew Calendar and for reckoning the years of reign of the Kings of Israel.

         Another important event occurred on Nisan 1: the Tabernacle in the wilderness was set up (Ex 40). This happened two years after the Israelites left Egypt.(v. 17)

         Also on "Tabernacle Day", the laws pertaining to the sacrifices were given to the Israelites, the same day the Presence of the Lord entered the Tabernacle. (Lev 1-7). Interestingly enough, the Torah Readings for this shabbat (3/28/09) are from Leviticus 1-6:7. What a coincidence, heh?

         I was blessed to 'discover' these things as I was reading Exodus 39-40 & Leviticus 1-6...just in time to add these 'tid bits' to this web page.

May Adonai renew this coming month
to you for goodness and for blessing.

GET BOOK NOW  Locally - no shipping

         For those who live locally to me, I have extra copies of my book available with special pricing for 6 or more, while supplies last.

         Meanwhile, you can order my book at CreateSpace or Amazon.com, Following Yeshua...Celebrating the Feasts of Adonai, so you will be ready to celebrate Passover, Counting the Omer, Shavu'ot and more.

         My book is also available at Congregation Lion of Judah.

         If possible, I suggest ordering enough copies so everyone around your table can have their own book from which to read.

 

 

 

The Countdown Stories Begin in a week on Tuesday, March 23, 1010 ~ Next Page