Mar 12th 2010, 00:00

            This Shabbat is designated as “HaChodesh” which means, “the month.”  Which month and why is it so important?  It’s the month of Nisan, the first month on the Hebrew calendar.  Now that may surprise some of you who thought that the first month was Tishrei, the first day of which is Rosh Hashanah.  But in actuality, Tishrei is the seventh month and Nisan the first.  So while we role over another year on the Jewish odometer in the Fall, the year really begins now, in the Spring.

            Why is Nisan designated as THE month?  Because Nisan contains, for the Rabbis what was the most important Jewish festival, Passover.  For our sages, Passover represented and symbolized God’s greatest miracle, the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt.  Along with Creation and Revelation, Redemption completes what I call the “Jewish trinity,” the three actions that are reflected in our daily prayers, on Shabbat, and on all holidays.

            This week’s Torah portion coincides nicely with the beginning of the month that includes our festival of redemption.  This week, we complete the reading of the book of Exodus, which of course tells the story of the Israelites’ freedom from bondage.  As the chill of winter begins to give way to the thaw (or at least warming trend here in Southern California) of Spring, we will once again sit down for the Seder meal to remember and recall the events of many centuries ago.  And yet, the messages and symbols are as relevant and fresh for us today as ever.

            In all our lives there are dark and difficult days.  Some generations suffer worse than others, and Jewish history is fraught with terrible, horrific events.  And yet, we are still here.  Time and again, we have overcome unimaginable obstacles, and we have outlived and outlasted tyrants and despots.  We have walked through the wilderness countless times, but thankfully, we have always made it through.  Not everyone, but a remnant – a proud and strong minority that wants nothing less than to survive.

            So as we enter our holy month of Nisan and as we begin to prepare for our Seder meal in a few weeks, let us not forget the stories of our ancestors, but let us also look for relevant and timely meaning to our own lives.

            Tonight at Temple is our early Shabbat service at 6:00 PM followed by dinner (reservations required) and our program.  As always, the service will be carried live over the Internet at www.templebethtikvah.com (click on Live Services).  Following dinner we will be showing the film, “The Gefilte Fish Chronicles” a warm and touching story of three sisters in New Jersey who bring together their large entire family every year for Pesach and how they go about preparing for the yearly event.  If you would like to come just for the movie, it will begin around 7:30 PM.  Tomorrow, Torah Study and religious school at 9:00 AM and our Shabbat morning service at 10:00 AM.  Have a great weekend!