A Special Month

On the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nissan, the Jewish people were miraculously redeemed from Egypt.

Chasidus explains the difference between the redemption from Egypt, and the future redemption with Moshiach. The Egyptians were broken by the plagues, and they drowned in the sea. But in the future, G-d’s presence will be absorbed in a peaceful way. Instead of breaking nature, people will, of their own volition, become intrinsically aware of the Almighty. It will be a time when, as the prophet says, “the entire world will be filled with knowledge of G-d,” and “they will all serve Him with one shoulder.”

Perhaps some of this is happening now. U.S. Courts have been supporting religious rights, including a recent ruling empowering parents to decide how to educate their children. This was a tremendous victory for religious parents and Yeshivas. And in public schools in the U.S. and Canada, parents are increasingly organizing and pushing back against forceful indoctrination that contravenes religious beliefs.

And in Israel, we are seeing pushback against the Supreme Court’s extraordinary power to rule against religion, and to undermine security. The government and the opposition are now in talks, and hopefully the matter will be resolved constructively and peacefully.

Today, the eleventh of Nissan, commemorates the 121st birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The Rebbe constantly encouraged a peaceful approach to reacquaint Jews with their heritage, and he encouraged non-Jews to adhere to the seven Noahide laws, to make the world peaceful. Perhaps we are now seeing fruits of the Rebbe’s efforts, as so many are becoming more aware of G-d’s presence.

It says that in the month of Nissan we were redeemed, and in the month of Nissan we will be redeemed. May we see it this Nissan.