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On Sundays and select legal holidays, we begin at 8 am.
The Jewish nation mourned for thirty days following the passing of Moses. (During this time, Joshua, the new leader of the Jewish nation, sent scouts to spy on the land of Canaan, see Jewish History for the 5th of Nissan).
On the 7th of Nissan, the first day after the mourning period came to an end, Joshua instructed the Jews to stock up on provisions and prepare themselves to cross the Jordan river and begin the conquest of the Promised Land. This was the first time Joshua addressed the nation, and they unconditionally accepted him as their new leader.
The actual crossing occurred on the 10th of Nissan.
In 1890, Dr. Moshe Wallach emigrated from his native Germany to the Land of Israel. Ten years later, he founded the Shaarei Zedek Hospital, one of Jerusalem’s most prominent hospitals. Dr. Wallach was a strictly observant Jew, and the hospital protocol follows Shabbat and kashrut observance, and provides religious services for both weekdays and holidays.
In 1929, during a journey by boat from Alexandria to Trieste, Dr. Wallach cured Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn when he fell ill with a kidney ailment.
Link: Cause and Effect
In today's "Nasi" reading (see "Nasi of the Day" in Nissan 1), we read of the gift bought by the nasi of the tribe of Ephraim, Elishama ben Amihud, for the inauguration of the Mishkan.
Once a month, as the moon waxes in the sky, we recite a special blessing called Kiddush Levanah, "the sanctification of the moon," praising the Creator for His wondrous work we call astronomy.
Kiddush Levanah is recited after nightfall, usually on Saturday night. The blessing is concluded with songs and dancing, because our nation is likened to the moon—as it waxes and wanes, so have we throughout history. When we say this blessing, we renew our trust that very soon, the light of G‑d's presence will fill all the earth and our people will be redeemed from exile.
Though Kiddush Levanah can be recited as early as three days after the moon's rebirth, the kabbalah tells us it is best to wait a full week, till the seventh of the month. Once 15 days have passed, the moon begins to wane once more and the season for saying the blessing has passed.
Links:
Kiddush Levana: Sanctification of the Moon
Brief Guide to Kiddush Levanah: Thank G‑d for the Moon!
Perhaps a person will say,
“I cannot fathom an infinite Creator, so why should I attempt to do so?”
“And why should I attempt to awaken my heart to show Him love? What can the love of this puny creature provide Him?”
“So I will just serve Him in complete surrender, doing that which is to be done, connecting to a will and desire far beyond my own.”
Such a person may be wise, but he is wrong.
Yes, it is absurd, but G‑d desires to be grasped by your human mind.
Yes, it is inconceivable, but He desires to find a home within the innermost chamber of your heart, no matter how tiny that place may be.
For this He created you, so that He could dwell within your world.
Serve G‑d with all your heart and all your mind—because that too is His unfathomable, unbounded desire.