Before Pesach, we should increase our study of the laws of Pesach, taking our studies to a far superior level than existed previously.
We should spend more time studying, increasing the quality of our study as well. Our efforts should reflect the miraculous character of Rosh Chodesh Nissan, the head of “the Month of Miracles.”
When Do We Begin?
In tractate Pesachim 6a, two opinions are presented as to the set time to begin teaching the Pesach laws in public. According to the first opinion, whose view is accepted as law, we begin thirty days in advance, i.e., from Purim. Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel differs, saying we begin just two weeks before Pesach, from Rosh Chodesh Nissan. Take both. Although the law follows the first opinion, that “we study the laws of Pesach thirty days in advance,” and does not follow the opinion of Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel, nevertheless, our Sages state that regarding all Talmudic disputes, “both opinions are the ‘correct’ words of G-d,” and in this case, we are able to fulfill both opinions in actuality.
Simply put, we should begin studying the laws of Pesach thirty days in advance, and then, “two weeks before the festival,” we should increase our study…
Moshe Began Two Weeks Before Pesach
Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel’s reasoning is that it was on Rosh Chodesh Nissan that Moshe Rabbeinu taught the Jews about the requirements of the upcoming Pesach sacrifice. This is clear from the fact that the Torah couples the chapter dealing with the Pesach sacrifice with the law of Rosh Chodesh, stating: “This month [of Nissan] should be for you the Head of Months.” Moshe’s address took place on the first day of Nissan. And just as Moshe publicly discussed the Pesach laws two weeks in advance, so should we.
Adding in a “Miraculous” Manner
This explains Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel’s reasoning on the literal level. On a deeper level, however, the fact that the chapter discussing the Pesach laws begins with the law of Rosh Chodesh Nissan is also an allusion to the fact that “this month [of Nissan] should be to you the Head of Months,” i.e., we are granted the power for conduct that is above nature in observing the Torah’s laws—“Nissan” meaning “miracles.” That being the case, we are granted the ability to increase in our study of the laws of Pesach that we began studying immediately after Purim, from Rosh Chodesh Nissan… and indeed, to do so on an even higher level than our previous two weeks of study. From then on, we should study in a manner reflecting the supernatural character of Rosh Chodesh Nissan.
