Community Torah Corner, March 27, 2025

There is something inherently hopeful and optimistic about this time of year and the beginning of spring. Of course, that is largely because baseball season begins this weekend, and every team is optimistic about its chances. (Well, most teams at least.) But this timely feeling dates back even farther. Perhaps it’s connected to the ways of nature, when after lying dormant for many months so much around us begins to bloom and literally comes alive in the spring. The leaves turn green, the flowers bloom, the weather warms - it’s almost impossible not to be hopeful and optimistic during spring. 

 

Maybe that’s what inspired Alexander Pope to coin the phrase in his “An Essay on Man,” in the 1700’s: 

“What future bliss, he gives not thee to know,

But gives that hope to be thy blessing now.

Man never is, but always to be blest:"

 

“Hope springs eternal.” Particularly at this time of year, particularly during the spring.

 

The special feeling of this time of year is inherent in our tradition too. This Shabbat is known in Hebrew as Shabbat HaChodesh. “The Shabbat of the Month'' is celebrated just before Rosh Chodesh Nissan, the beginning of the month of Nissan as we anticipate Pesach’s arrival. The main way it is celebrated is with a special Torah reading taken from the Book of Exodus. “This month shall mark for you the beginning of the months; it shall be the first of the months of the year for you.” (Exodus 12:2) The text goes on to describe several of our Pesach observances which are still part of our holiday today.

 

Part of what is so interesting about this passage is that some commentators suggest this is where the Torah should actually begin. Not with Genesis, but with the description of coming out of Egypt and the very first Pesach. Rashi writes, “Rabbi Isaac said: The Torah which is the Law book of Israel should have commenced with the verse (Exodus 12:2) “This month shall be unto you the first of the months” which is the first commandment given to Israel. What is the reason, then, that it commences with the account of the Creation?” He goes on to explain that Genesis tells the story of all of humanity, but as a Jewish people, our history really begins with the Exodus.

 

Springtime is all about new beginnings. We see this in the natural world, and we also see it in our history. This is the time of year for us to recognize all that is beginning and all that has begun. To remember the decisive moment in our tradition that shaped us and to consider how we can use those memories and lessons to create new beginnings today.

 

Shabbat Shalom.