Adar is gone and Nisan is upon us.
Nisan was counted as the first month of the year in the Biblical calendar, in which it is called “Aviv.” That is one reason that 1st Nisan is one of the four New Years in the Jewish calendar. Nisan is the Babylonian name for the month, which we brought back from Babylon when Cyrus the Great authorized the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple and the Babylonian Exile ended. (Ezra 1:1-2)
Nisan has important holidays and observances:
- 14 Nisan – Fast of the Firstborn – falls on 12 Nisan when the 14th falls on Sabbath
- 15-21 Nisan – Passover – also 22 Nisan in the Diaspora, except for Reform Jews.
- 27 Nisan – Yom HaShoah – falls on 26 Nisan or 28 Nisan when the 27th falls on Friday or Sunday respectively, interfering with Shabbat.
So now that it’s Nisan, time is very short to prepare for Passover! Some articles that may help:
Passover Preparation for Beginners (Good if you are feeling overwhelmed or confused)
Preparing for Passover: Six Ways to Prepare (Expands the possibilities a bit)
7 Facts about Passover (for very beginners)
Preparing for Exodus: Books Books about Passover
Seven Things to Do to Make Your First Passover Seder a Success
