Parshas HaChodesh
“This month shall be for you the beginning of the months..” (Shemos 12/1) This refers to the month of Nissan. G-d tells the Jews that Nissan will be “for you” the month of your redemption. Without experiencing the bitter darkness of slavery, we would not know, or appreciate, the light of true freedom.
This is the first commandment given to the Jewish nation. G-d gives us responsibility for establishing the new months. At the time of the Chanuka story, the Greeks understood the power of this commandment. They chose the establishment of the new month as one of the three mitzvos they tried to abolish, (the other two being: keeping of Shabbos and circumcision.)
On Parshas HaChodesh, the Shabbos before Rosh Chodesh Nissan, we read about the establishment of Nissan as the first month, and about the honor that must be shown to the King when he enters or leaves the Sanctuary.
“For you.” G-d created darkness, for us to see the light. He created slavery and freedom. He gave us His commandments for our benefit. May this be a Nissan of light, of freedom and of mitzvos. The Nissan of the Final Redemption, B’EH…