נִיסָן
The Month of Nisan
March–April
Season
Spring
Mazal
♈ Aries (Taleh)
Tribe
Judah
Days
30
About Nisan
Nisan is the first month of the religious year and the month of redemption. It is the month when the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt, and Passover (Pesach) begins on the 15th. The Torah calls it "the month of spring" (Chodesh Ha'Aviv). Nisan is so full of joy that no eulogies or fasting are permitted during the entire month. The Counting of the Omer begins on the second night of Passover (16 Nisan) and continues for 49 days until Shavuot.
♈
Mazal of Nisan: Aries (Taleh)
The Lamb (Taleh) represents the Passover offering and the birth of the Jewish nation. In Kabbalistic thought, Nisan's mazal embodies leadership, initiative, and the courage to forge new paths. Those born under Taleh are natural pioneers with the strength to break free from limitation.
Born in Nisan
Nisan is the month of miracles, freedom, and new beginnings. Those born in Nisan are said to be natural leaders with a strong sense of justice and a pioneering spirit.
Holidays in Nisan
- Passover/Pesach (15-22 Nisan)
Historical Events & Yahrtzeits in Nisan
130 entries from our Jewish history database
1 Nisan
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov— Great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov and founder of Breslov Chassidut, renowned for Likutey...(birthday)Cyrus Crowned King of Babylonia— Cyrus was crowned 'King of Babylonia and King of All Lands' (538 BCE), enabling the rebuil...(historical)Death of Nadav and Avihu— Nadav and Avihu, sons of Aharon, died after offering unauthorized fire before G-d on the d...(historical)Ezra Departed Babylonia for Jerusalem— Ezra and his followers departed Babylonia for Jerusalem (457 BCE) on the anniversary of Cy...(historical)First Mitzvah Given to the Jewish Nation— G-d commanded Moshe to sanctify the new month, establishing the first mitzvah given to the...(historical)Floodwaters Fully Receded— The floodwaters fully receded from the earth, as recorded in Bereishit 8:13.(historical)King Chizkiyahu Reconsecrated the Beit HaMikdash— King Chizkiyahu began the reconsecration of the Beit HaMikdash, restoring the Temple servi...(historical)Mishkan (Tabernacle) Permanently Erected— The Mishkan was erected and inaugurated. Aharon performed the first sacrificial service an...(historical)Nesi'im Began Inaugural Offerings— The tribal princes began bringing inaugural offerings at the Mishkan, starting with Nachsh...(historical)Plot of Bigtan and Teresh Discovered— Mordechai discovered and reported the plot of Bigtan and Teresh to assassinate King Achash...(historical)Ten Crowns of 1 Nisan— The Talmud teaches that 1 Nisan received ten crowns — ten unique distinctions including th...(historical)Rabbi Elimelech Szapira of Grodzhisk— A revered Chassidic master and grandson of the Kozhnitzer Maggid.(yahrtzeit)
2 Nisan
Alhambra Decree — Expulsion of Jews from Spain— King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella signed the Alhambra Decree expelling all Jews from Spain...(historical)Anti-Jewish Riots in Jerusalem— Anti-Jewish riots erupted in Jerusalem (1881).(historical)First Parah Adumah (Red Heifer) Purification— Moshe performed the first Parah Adumah purification rite, establishing the means of spirit...(historical)Massacre of the Jews of Mainz— The Jews of Mainz, Germany, were massacred (1283).(historical)Rav Shalom Dov Ber Schneerson (Rebbe Rashab)— The 5th Lubavitcher Rebbe, author of hundreds of Chassidic discourses and founder of the T...(yahrtzeit)
3 Nisan
4 Nisan
Anti-Jewish Riots in Dabrowa, Poland— Anti-Jewish riots broke out in Dabrowa, Poland (1938).(historical)Hadassah Hospital Convoy Ambush— A convoy of 78 physicians, nurses, and guards was ambushed on the way to Hadassah Hospital...(historical)Rav Yaakov Tzvi Mecklenberg— Author of HaKesav VeHaKabbalah, a major Torah commentary demonstrating how the Oral Torah ...(yahrtzeit)
5 Nisan
2,500 Jews of Lublin Murdered— 2,500 Jews of Lublin were murdered and the community deported to death camps (1942).(historical)Rehovot Attacked by Arabs— Rehovot was attacked by Arabs (1893).(historical)Yehoshua Sent Scouts to Survey Jericho— Yehoshua sent two scouts to survey Jericho in advance of the Israelite conquest of the Lan...(historical)Rav Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apt (Ohev Yisrael)— Known as the Ohev Yisrael, a student of Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk renowned for his boundle...(yahrtzeit)
6 Nisan
Founding of Afula— Afula was founded in the Jezreel Valley (1925), one of the first planned Jewish agricultur...(historical)Rav Chaim Abulafia— Born in Chevron, served as Rav of Tzefat and Tiberias, renowned as a wonder-worker who hel...(yahrtzeit)Rav Meir Dan Plotsky— Author of Kli Chemdah on Chumash and head of the Mesivta yeshiva in Warsaw.(yahrtzeit)
7 Nisan
Hebrew University of Jerusalem Opened— The Hebrew University of Jerusalem was officially opened on Mount Scopus (1925) with Lord ...(historical)Massacre at Clifford's Tower, York— Approximately 150 Jews besieged in Clifford's Tower, York, took their own lives rather tha...(historical)Yehoshua Dispatched Spies to Jericho (Chabad Tradition)— According to Chabad tradition, Yehoshua dispatched two spies to scout Jericho three days b...(historical)
8 Nisan
180-Day Feast of Achashveirosh Ended— The 180-day feast of King Achashveirosh came to an end, as recounted in Megillat Esther.(historical)First Rabbinic Opposition to the Chassidic Movement— The first rabbinic opposition to the Chassidic movement was announced in Vilna (1772), end...(historical)Rav Eliyahu Shapira of Prague— Author of Eliyahu Rabbah on Shulchan Aruch and Eliyahu Zuta on the Levush, major works on ...(yahrtzeit)Rav Mordechai of Neshchiz— A descendant of the Maharal of Prague and a disciple of Rav Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov, a ...(yahrtzeit)
9 Nisan
Anti-Jewish Riots in Seville— Anti-Jewish riots erupted in Seville (1391), spreading across the Iberian Peninsula and cl...(historical)Host Desecration Accusation in Vienna— Jews of Vienna were accused of desecrating the Host; those who refused baptism were burned...(historical)Massacre in Bury St. Edmunds, England— Fifty-seven Jews were massacred in Bury St. Edmunds, England (1190).(historical)Rav Aryeh Levine— The beloved 'Tzaddik of Yerushalayim,' known for his extraordinary devotion to prisoners, ...(yahrtzeit)Rav Chaim Meir Hager (Imrei Chaim of Vizhnitz)— The Imrei Chaim of Vizhnitz, who rebuilt Vizhnitz Chassidut after the Holocaust and establ...(yahrtzeit)
10 Nisan
Death of Miriam HaNevi'ah— Miriam the Prophetess died at age 126 in the desert; the miraculous well that accompanied ...(historical)Israelites Crossed the Jordan River— Led by Yehoshua, the Israelites crossed the Jordan River on dry ground into Eretz Yisrael ...(historical)Selection of the Korban Pesach Lamb— Each Israelite family took a lamb for the Korban Pesach — an act of defiance against Egypt...(historical)Yom HaAliyah— Yom HaAliyah, established by the Knesset in 2016, commemorates the Jewish people's histori...(historical)
11 Nisan
The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson— The seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe who transformed Chabad into one of the most influential forc...(birthday)Brit Milah of the Wilderness Generation— The generation born in the wilderness underwent Brit Milah upon entering Eretz Yisrael.(historical)Rav Moshe ben Nachman (Ramban / Nachmanides)— Author of the famed Torah commentary integrating peshat and Kabbalah, defender of the Rif,...(yahrtzeit)Rav Yeshayahu Horowitz (Shelah HaKadosh)— Author of the Shnei Luchot HaBrit (Shelah), who served as chief rabbi of Prague and then o...(yahrtzeit)
12 Nisan
13 Nisan
Bedikat Chametz— Bedikat Chametz, the search for leaven, is conducted on the evening of the 13th in prepara...(historical)Haman's Decree and Esther's Three-Day Fast— Haman issued the decree for the extermination of all Jews in the Persian Empire; Esther ca...(historical)Nasi Reading — Aaron and the Menorah— The Nasi reading for the 13th of Nisan includes God's instructions to Aaron regarding the ...(historical)Rav Ovadya Bartinuro Arrived in Jerusalem— Rav Ovadya Bartinuro arrived in Jerusalem (1488), where he revitalized the Jewish communit...(historical)Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (Tzemach Tzedek)— The Tzemach Tzedek, 3rd Lubavitcher Rebbe, author of extensive responsa and Chassidic disc...(yahrtzeit)Rav Yosef Karo— Author of the Shulchan Aruch, the universally accepted Code of Jewish Law, and the Beit Yo...(yahrtzeit)
14 Nisan
The Maharal of Prague, Rabbi Yehudah Loew ben Betzalel— The legendary scholar, philosopher, mystic, and communal leader of Prague, widely renowned...(birthday)The Rambam, Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (Maimonides)— The most illustrious figure in post-Talmudic Judaism — Talmudist, codifier, philosopher, a...(birthday)Bi'ur Chametz — Burning of Leaven— Bi'ur Chametz, the burning and nullification of leaven, is performed before midday on Erev...(historical)First Korban Pesach Offered in Egypt— The Israelites offered the first Korban Pesach in Egypt, placing the blood on their doorpo...(historical)Naomi and Ruth Arrived in Beit Lechem— Naomi and Ruth arrived in Beit Lechem at the beginning of the barley harvest.(historical)Offerings of Kayin and Hevel — First Murder— Kayin and Hevel brought offerings to God; Kayin's rejection led to the first murder in hum...(historical)Ta'anit Bechorot — Fast of the Firstborn— Ta'anit Bechorot, the Fast of the Firstborn, commemorates the firstborn being spared from ...(historical)Warsaw Ghetto Uprising— The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising broke out on Erev Pesach (1943), led by Mordechai Anielewicz — ...(historical)
15 Nisan
The Vilna Gaon (Rav Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman)— Born on the first night of Pesach, the Vilna Gaon became one of the greatest Torah scholar...(birthday)Birth of Yitzchak Avinu— Yitzchak Avinu was born to Avraham and Sarah on the first day of Pesach.(historical)Brit Bein HaBetarim — Covenant Between the Parts— God made the Covenant Between the Parts with Avraham, foretelling the exile, the Exodus, a...(historical)Esther Appeared Before Achashveirosh— Esther appeared uninvited before King Achashveirosh to plead for the Jewish people.(historical)Execution of Vashti— Vashti was executed by order of King Achashveirosh.(historical)Fall of Masada— The defenders of Masada took their own lives rather than surrender to the Romans (73 CE).(historical)Forced Conversion of Portuguese Jewish Children— An order was issued to seize all Portuguese Jewish children ages 4-14 for forced conversio...(historical)Miraculous Destruction of Sancherev's Army— The Assyrian army of Sancherev besieging Jerusalem was miraculously destroyed overnight.(historical)Moshe Saw the Burning Bush— According to one tradition, Moshe saw the Burning Bush on this day.(historical)The Exodus from Egypt— The Exodus from Egypt — G-d struck the Egyptian firstborn at midnight, and the Israelites ...(historical)Iyov (Job)— Righteous man whose story of suffering and unwavering faith is the subject of the biblical...(yahrtzeit)
16 Nisan
Birth of Levi ben Yaakov Avinu— Birth of Levi ben Yaakov Avinu, forefather of the priestly and Levitical tribes.(historical)First Blood Libel — William of Norwich— The alleged murder of William of Norwich (1144) led to the first blood libel against Jews ...(historical)First Omer Offering and Cessation of the Manna— The first Omer offering was brought in Eretz Yisrael, the Omer count began, and the manna ...(historical)Haman Hanged and Mordechai Appointed— Haman was hanged and Mordechai was appointed chief minister; Esther's second feast took pl...(historical)King Chizkiyahu Completed Rededication of the Beit HaMikdash— King Chizkiyahu completed the rededication of the Beit HaMikdash.(historical)Nebi Musa Riots in Jerusalem— Arab rioters killed and wounded many Jews in Jerusalem during the Nebi Musa riots (1920).(historical)Seven Sons of King Shaul Executed by the Gibeonites— Seven sons of King Shaul were executed by the Gibeonites in retribution for Shaul's violat...(historical)
17 Nisan
First Native-Born American Shochet— Solomon Etting of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, became the first native-born American Jew autho...(historical)Noah's Ark Rested on the Mountains of Ararat— Noah's ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat, according to the view that the world w...(historical)Rav Meir Abuchatzeira— Son of the Baba Sali, revered as a holy man in Ashdod.(yahrtzeit)Rav Shlomo Wolbe— Famed mashgiach and author of Alei Shur, a foundational mussar work for the modern yeshiva...(yahrtzeit)
18 Nisan
London Jews Martyred Following Ritual Murder Charges— London Jews were martyred following ritual murder charges (1279).(historical)Pharaoh Informed of the Israelites' Flight— Pharaoh was informed that the Israelites had truly fled Egypt and were not returning.(historical)Purim of the Bomb — Fossano, Italy— The Jews of Fossano, Italy, celebrated their miraculous escape from massacre and establish...(historical)Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik— Known as 'The Rav,' Rosh Yeshiva of YU and one of the most influential Orthodox thinkers o...(yahrtzeit)
19 Nisan
Pharaoh Pursued the Israelites— Pharaoh set out in pursuit of the Israelites with his army, chariots, and horsemen.(historical)Rabbi Meir Bar-Ilan (Berlin)— Leader of the Mizrachi Religious Zionist movement. Bar-Ilan University is named in his mem...(yahrtzeit)Rav Aharon HaGadol of Karlin— Student of the Maggid of Mezritch and founder of Chassidut in Belarus and the Karlin-Stoli...(yahrtzeit)Rav Menachem Ziemba— Chief Rabbi of Warsaw, killed during the Ghetto Uprising (1943), who ruled that armed resi...(yahrtzeit)Rav Yehoshua Falk Katz— Author of the Sma on Choshen Mishpat and the Derishah and Perishah on the Tur, student of ...(yahrtzeit)
20 Nisan
21 Nisan
Pharaoh's Decree Against Israelite Male Infants Annulled— Pharaoh's decree against Israelite male infants was annulled according to tradition.(historical)Splitting of the Sea (Kriat Yam Suf)— The Israelites crossed the Red Sea on dry ground; the waters returned and drowned Pharaoh'...(historical)Yaakov Avinu Departed from Lavan— Yaakov Avinu departed from Lavan's home to return to Eretz Yisrael.(historical)
22 Nisan
Acharon Shel Pesach — Eighth Day of Passover— Acharon Shel Pesach in the Diaspora (Eighth Day of Passover); Isru Chag in Eretz Yisrael.(historical)Yehoshua Began the March Around Jericho— Yehoshua began the seven-day march around the walls of Jericho, the first military action ...(historical)Rav Yehuda Rosanes— Author of Mishneh LaMelech on the Rambam's Mishneh Torah, one of the most important commen...(yahrtzeit)
23 Nisan
Fast Day of Cologne — Second Crusade— A fast day was observed by the Jews of Cologne in memory of anti-Jewish violence during th...(historical)Haganah Captured Katamon in Jerusalem— The Haganah captured Katamon in Jerusalem (1948), a key turning point in the battle for Je...(historical)Mordechai and Esther Wrote Letters to the Jews— Mordechai and Esther wrote letters authorizing Jews throughout the Persian Empire to defen...(historical)Rav Moshe ben Yosef MiTrani (Mabit)— One of four scholars to receive special semicha in Tzefat (1538), author of Kiryat Sefer a...(yahrtzeit)
25 Nisan
27 Nisan
28 Nisan
Arab Attack on Petach Tikva Repelled— Jewish settlers repelled an Arab attack on Petach Tikva during the Arab Revolt (1936).(historical)Walls of Jericho Fell— The walls of Jericho fell after seven days of encirclement, completing the first conquest ...(historical)Rav Shabsai Sheftl Horowitz— Son of the Shelah HaKadosh, who published the Shnei Luchot HaBrit with his introduction Va...(yahrtzeit)
29 Nisan
Arab Attacks on Petach Tikva — Jaffa Riots— Three Jews were killed and many wounded in Arab attacks on Petach Tikva during the Jaffa R...(historical)Zwetschgen Ta'anit of Bamberg— A mob attacked the Jews of Bamberg (1699); the community established a fast day and local ...(historical)Rav Chaim Vital (Alternate Tradition)— Yahrzeit of Rav Chaim Vital according to the tradition placing it on 29 Nisan, the primary...(yahrtzeit)Rav Moshe Pallier of Kobrin— First Rebbe of the Kobrin Chassidic dynasty, a follower of Rav Mordechai of Lechovitch, wh...(yahrtzeit)Yitzchak Ben-Zvi— The second President of Israel, a scholar and advocate for Jewish communities of the East.(yahrtzeit)
30 Nisan
Demolition of Yamit Completed— The demolition of Yamit in northern Sinai was completed (1982) as part of the Israeli-Egyp...(historical)Eight Jews Martyred in Przemyśl, Poland— Eight Jews were martyred in Przemyśl, Poland (1659).(historical)Jewish Students Barred from German Schools— Jewish students were barred from German schools (1933) as part of escalating Nazi persecut...(historical)Rosh Chodesh Iyar— Rosh Chodesh Iyar, the first day of the new month of Iyar.(historical)Rabbeinu Yosef ibn Migash (Ri Migash)— Head of the academy of Lucena, praised by the Rambam as astounding in the depth and scope ...(yahrtzeit)Rav Chaim Vital— Foremost student of the Arizal and primary transmitter of Lurianic Kabbalah, author of Eit...(yahrtzeit)Rav Nesanel Weill— Av Beit Din of Karlsruhe and author of Korban Nesanel on the Rosh.(yahrtzeit)Rav Yaakov Emden (Ya'avetz)— Son of the Chacham Tzvi, a renowned scholar and fierce opponent of Sabbateanism, author of...(yahrtzeit)