Dear Nitztzos Commmunity, A gutten Chodesh Nissan! The month of Nissan in the Torah is referred to as Aviv. We adjust the calendar to ensure that Pesach falls out in the Aviv (the spring). Far from incidental, Pesach and Aviv are thematically related. The word Aviv describes more than just the season but the essence of the birth of the Jewish people. Since we were born as a nation in this month it is appropriate that the name of the month reflects who we are a nation. In Nissan we were born to our father (Av) Hashem as a nation of twelve shevatim (yud beis). The gematria of the word Aviv amounts to fifteen, which is the birthday of our nation as we were freed from Mitzrayim on the fifteenth of Nissan. In the month of Nissan we were given our identity. Before we discuss what the Jewish mission is, what we are in this world to do, we must first know to whom we belong. We often get caught up in what can be the narcissistic attitude of, "What am I doing with "my" life? What are "my" talents? What am "I" contributing to this world?" Of course these are all important questions. We have a basic need to make an impact on this world and that is a beautiful thing. But if we don't know that we belong to God, those questions are in danger of being answered in a very selfish fashion. If we belong to no one, then it is our life to do with as we please. Our talents may be used in the pursuit of our own pleasure and the impact we make in this world, while potentially meaningful, will be limi
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