On the Shabbat preceding Rosh Hodesh Nissan, we read the section in the Torah (Shemot 12) which tells of Beneh Yisrael’s preparations for the night of Yesiat Misrayim (the Exodus from Egypt). This section begins with G-d commanding Moshe and Aharon, “Ha’hodesh Ha’zeh Lachem Rosh Hodashim” – “This month is for you the first of the months” (Shemot 12:2). We are to regard Nissan, the month in which Yesiat Misrayim took place, as the first of the twelve months.

Rav Baruch of Medzhybizh (grandson of the Ba’al Shem Tob, Ukraine, 1753-1811) noted the fact that in this verse, the month of Nissan is referred to as “Ha’hodesh Ha’zeh” (“this month”). Later in this Parasha (13:5), the Torah commands, “Ve’abadeta Et Ha’aboda Ha’zot Ba’hodesh Ha’zeh” – literally, “You shall perform this service in this month.” The simple meaning of this verse is that Beneh Yisrael were to perform the same sacrifice which they performed on the night of the Exodus – the Korban Pesach – each year on Pesach. However, Rav Baruch offers a deeper interpretation of this verse, explaining that it speaks of two months – the month of “Zot” and the month of “Zeh.” The word “Zeh,” as mentioned, alludes to the month of Nissan. The word “Zot,” meanwhile, alludes to the month of Tishri, the month of repentance and atonement. The Torah in the Book of Vayikra (16:3) says about the special Yom Kippur service in the Bet Ha’mikdash, “Be’zot Yabo Aharon El Ha’kodesh” (“With this shall Aharon enter the Sanctuary”) – and thus the word “Zot” is associated with the service performed by the Kohen Gadol on Yom Kippur. Hence, Rav Baruch explains, the command “Ve’abadeta Et Ha’aboda Ha’zot Ba’hodesh Ha’zeh” means that we are to observe the service of “Zot” – the process of repentance that characterizes the month of Tishri – during “Ha’hodesh Ha’zeh,” in the month of Nissan. This month, like the month of Tishri, is to be a month of repentance, when we work to improve ourselves and draw closer to Hashem.

Of course, these two months are very different from one another. Tishri is a time of solemn, fearful introspection, whereas Nissan is a time of festive celebration. In Tishri, we are to perform Teshuba Mi’yir’a – repentance driven by the fear of judgment, whereas in Nissan, we are to perform Teshuba Me’ahaba – repentance driven by love for Hashem, recognizing His abundant grace and kindness which He showers upon us.

Developing this point further, Hashem freed our ancestors from Egyptian bondage without their having deserved redemption. Tradition teaches that Beneh Yisrael were submerged in the pagan culture in Egypt, and had fallen to the “forty-ninth level of impurity.” And yet, despite their low spiritual level, G-d mercifully performed miracles to redeem them. Nissan is a time of Hashem’s unlimited love and compassion, and we are thus to joyfully repent, recognizing His boundless mercy and affection.

The Arizal (Rav Yishak Luria, Safed, 1534-1572) taught that the Name of Havaya, which expresses G-d’s attribute of compassion and kindness, can be configured in twelve different ways. This Name is comprised of four letters – “Yod,” “Heh,” “Vav” and “Heh” – and these four letters can be arranged in twelve different sequences. Each of these twelve arrangements, the Arizal established, corresponds to a different month. Tishri, the month of judgment, is associated with the reverse spelling of this Name (“Heh,” “Vav,” “Heh,” “Yod”). During this month, G-d’s quality of strict judgment – the opposite of His attribute of compassion – prevails, and thus this month is signified by the reversal of the Name of Havaya. Nissan, by contrast, corresponds to the straight spelling of this Name (“Yod,” “Heh,” “Vav,” “Heh”). This is the month when Hashem’s compassion and love are most clearly manifest, and so it is associated with the straightforward spelling of “Havaya.”

Let us all ensure to take full advantage of the special Teshuba opportunity presented by this month, and commit ourselves during the coming weeks to work toward enhancing our relationship with Hashem, correcting our faults, and striving to be the best people we are capable of being.

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