ניסן
Rosh Chodesh Nisan
♈ Aries (Taleh / טלה) · Spring · Tribe of Judah · March–April
One-Day Rosh Chodesh · 5787
Begins at sunset
Wednesday evening, April 7, 2027
Sunset in New York: 7:26 PM
ends sunset on Thursday, April 8, 2027
Molad
Tuesday, 14 hours, 7 minutes and 8 chalakim
1 chelek = 3⅓ seconds · 18 chalakim = 1 minute · 1,080 chalakim = 1 hour
Nisan (ניסן) · 29 days · ♈ Aries (Taleh / טלה)
Holidays
Passover / Pesach (15–22 Nisan)
Torah Reading
On Rosh Chodesh Nisan the Torah reading is Numbers 28:1–15 (the Rosh Chodesh sacrifices). During Passover, extended readings cover the Exodus narrative.
Hebrew Year
5787
About
The Month of Nisan
Nisan is the first month of the religious year and the month of redemption. The Torah calls it "the month of spring" (Chodesh Ha’Aviv). It was in Nisan that the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt, and Passover begins on the 15th. Nisan is so full of joy that eulogies and fasting are forbidden for the entire month. The Counting of the Omer begins on the second night of Passover (16 Nisan) and continues for 49 days until Shavuot.
Significance
Rosh Chodesh Nisan
Rosh Chodesh Nisan is unique: it is the only Rosh Chodesh for which the Molad is not announced on the preceding Shabbat, because the Torah itself designates Nisan as "the first of months" (Exodus 12:2). According to the Talmud, on the first of Nisan the Tabernacle was erected, the princes of the tribes brought offerings, and the Divine Presence first rested upon Israel. The Talmud lists ten miracles that occurred on this date.
Spiritual Themes
Themes of Nisan
Nisan embodies freedom, faith, and miraculous redemption. The Kabbalists teach that the spiritual "light" of the Exodus shines again each Nisan, offering every generation a renewed opportunity to break free from personal limitations. The Passover Seder recreates the original liberation, inviting each person to experience the journey from slavery to freedom.
♈
Mazal
Aries (Taleh / טלה)
Tribe
Judah
Season
Spring
Observances
Customs of Nisan
- •Birkat HaIlanot — the blessing over blossoming fruit trees, recited once during Nisan
- •Preparation for Passover: cleaning chametz, kashering kitchen
- •Reading the daily Nasi (prince’s offering) from Numbers 7 during the first 12 days
- •No Tachanun is recited for the entire month
History
Historical Events in Nisan
- •The Exodus from Egypt (15 Nisan, ~1313 BCE)
- •The Tabernacle was erected (1 Nisan)
- •Miriam’s death (10 Nisan)
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