Nisan and Shabbat HaGadol: Joy, Customs, and Passover Preparation

1. Joyful Days Throughout Nisan
During the entire month of Nisan, Tachanun (penitential prayer) is not recited, as these days are considered days of joy for the Jewish people. When the Israelites were in the wilderness, the Mishkan (Tabernacle) was erected on Rosh Chodesh Nisan. From Rosh Chodesh until the 12th of Nisan, the tribal leaders brought their offerings, one leader each day, and the day each leader brought his offering was treated as a personal festival. The 13th of Nisan was their Isru Chag. The 14th of Nisan is the eve of Passover, followed by the seven days of the festival and its concluding Isru Chag, until the 22nd of Nisan.

In the future, when the Holy Temple will be rebuilt speedily in our days, its inauguration will occur on the first day of Passover, since redemption occurred in Nisan and the final redemption will also come in Nisan. Because one joy is not mixed with another, the seven-day celebration of the Temple’s dedication will take place only after Passover, from the 23rd of Nisan until the end of the month. Thus, the entire month of Nisan is considered a time of joy (Shulchan Aruch O.C. 429:2 and other sources).

2. Studying the Laws of the Festival
One should begin learning and teaching the laws of the upcoming festival thirty days before it arrives (Shulchan Aruch O.C. 429:1). Since the laws of Passover are numerous, it is proper for each person to set aside daily time between Purim and Passover, to study these halachot, so that by the time the holiday arrives, they are well-versed in its practices.

Shabbat HaGadol

1. Why It Is Called “Shabbat HaGadol”
The Shabbat preceding Passover is called Shabbat HaGadol (“the Great Shabbat”). In the year of the Exodus, the 10th of Nisan fell on Shabbat, and God commanded the Israelites to take a lamb and tie it near their beds. When the Egyptians questioned them, the Israelites explained that in a few days, on the night of the 15th of Nisan, God would strike the Egyptian firstborn. Therefore, they would slaughter this lamb on the afternoon of the 14th of Nisan, place its blood on their doorposts to be saved from the plague, and eat it roasted on the night of the 15th.

The Egyptians were stunned to hear that the Israelites were about to slaughter what they considered a deity, yet they were powerless to stop them. In remembrance of this miracle, the Shabbat is called Shabbat HaGadol, a “great day” for Israel, when they were saved from destruction (Machzor Vitri).

Because of this, some have the custom to greet one another with “Shabbat HaGadol Mevorach” or “Shabbat HaGadol Shalom,” instead of the usual greeting, to recall the miracle God performed for us.

2. The Haftarah of Shabbat HaGadol
On Shabbat HaGadol, the Haftarah begins with the words: “And the offering of Yehuda and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord” (Malachi 3:4). However, communities that have a clear custom to read the Haftarah of the weekly Torah portion may continue their established practice.