* Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
During these challenging days, it seems like our troubles will never end and that nothing will ever change; every time we think we have finally reached a breakthrough, our hopes are dashed once again. Our nation is on the brink of despair.
This is exactly how we felt in Egypt thousands of years ago. Today is Rosh Chodesh Nisan. On Rosh Chodesh, we add the special paragraph of “Ya’ale Ve’yavo” (to our Shemoneh Esrei and Birkat HaMazon prayers). We also add another prayer, called Musaf (the “Additional” Prayer),as well as a selection of chapters from the Book of Psalms known as Hallel, in which we express our gratitude to God.
But there is also a deep message inherent in this month that we must not forget: that it is possible to rethink our assumptions about life. To redeem ourselves from all that enslaves us and achieve freedom. Everything can change for the good, for the eternal light will always defeat the transient darkness. Am Yisrael Chai, The Nation of Israel Lives, and the enemy that posed such an ominous threat only a moment ago can suddenly be drowned in the sea and relegated to the trash bin of history.
This theme of the month of Nisan has followed us through the generations, and continues to speak to us now. To be a Jew is to believe that tomorrow will be better than today.
The Talmud states: “In Nisan, they (the Jewish people) were redeemed (from Egypt); and in Nisan, they are destined to be redeemed again.”
May we merit to see that day soon.
Chodesh Tov.
