A Day of Rejuvenation

Rosh Chodesh Nissan, the new Hebrew month of Nissan begins this year Monday at sundown and Tuesday, April 5, 2010.

It's been a rough winter, not only in Israel, but around the world. The natural dreary feeling of the year's frosty months became even more acute as a result of natural disasters around the world, political unrest in the Arab world, and a sharp increase of terrorist activity within Israel. Yet, there's no need to despair. Hashem gave us a special gift, a remarkable time for rejuvenation known as Rosh Chodesh Nissan, the first day of the Hebrew month of Nissan.

The very first commandment that Hashem gave to the Jews as a people was to establish Nissan Nissan as the first month of the year (see Exodus 12: 1-2). The first day of the Hebrew month of Nissan is also the date when the Mishkan – the temporary portable Temple that was used in the desert – was inaugurated. Nissan therefore has an innate quality that's conducive to rejuvenation.

In the holy Land of Israel, springtime bursts forth in all its glory on the first of Nissan. The entire country has an intoxicating fragrance of citrus blossoms that make Chanel No. 5 seem like a washroom aerosol. On this day, we are allowed to recite the Blessing of the Trees, a very special blessing that we say once a year during the month of Nissan...

Continue reading A Day of Rejuvenation in this week's very special issue of Breslev Israel web magazine.

Don't miss these other stimulating articles:

Rabbi Shalom Arush: The Conditional Blessing

Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach: Holy Chutzpa

Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh: The Moses of Every Generation

Zev Ballen: Follow the Dots

Rivka Levy: Where Our Heads Are - The Key to Successful Aliya

Racheli Reckles: Soul Food

Dovber Halevi: The Grateful Bread

Rabbi Erez Moshe Doron: Rising Above the Enemy, from Warriors of Transcendence

This week's Torah portion is Metzora.

There're only two weeks left until Passover. Let's not forget the poor. Halacha requires all of us to participate in the mitzva of Kimcha D'Piskha, helping to provide food for the needy during Passover. Brelev Israel will help you perform this wonderful mitzva right here.

Big Beam Blessings for a Beautiful week!