From the Archives
Our Sages have described the Redemption. This Shabbat we bless the new month of Nissan. Our Sages declared, "In Nissan, our people were redeemed, and in Nissan, they will be redeemed in the future." Further, Nissan is referred to in the Midrash as the Chodesh HaGeula, the month of redemption.
The traveling Sanctuary which the Jews built and carried with them throughout their forty years of wandering in the desert was dedicated in the month of Nissan. This Sanctuary was the predecessor of the Holy Temple.
Our Sages explain that, just as the Sanctuary was dedicated in Nissan, similarly, in the Messianic age, the third Holy Temple will be dedicated on the first day of the month of Nissan.
As we all know, the Jews were taken out of Egypt amidst a multitude of miracles and wonders: They witnessed the Egyptians experiencing the Ten Plagues; they crossed the Red Sea; they were provided with food, water and protection in the barren, dangerous desert.
G-d has promised us that the miracles of the Ultimate Redemption will echo those of the Redemption from Egypt, as is written in prophecies of Micha, "As in the days of your exodus from Egypt, I will show you wonders."
The Hebrew word for miracle is "nes." The Talmud explains that a word which has the Hebrew letter "nun" twice, as does our upcoming month -- Nissan -- is an allusion to wonders of a truly miraculous nature.
In a talk at which time the Rebbe mentioned all of these above points, he emphasized the importance of charity. He explained that we are now in the thirty-day period before the holiday of Passover, when we are already supposed to have begun Passover preparations. This surely includes making sure that those less fortunate than ourselves have their Passover needs provided for them.
The Rebbe went on to say that through giving charity, especially before we are approached, we can hasten the miraculous Redemption, which we hope and pray will commence even before the beginning of the month of Nissan, and certainly by the first of Nissan.
as a feast. To echo this analogy, the table has already been set, everything has been served, and we are sitting at the table together with Moshiach. All we need to do is open our eyes.
(Adapted by Sichos in English from a talk of the Lubavitcher Rebbe)
