Nissan is here. The first month of the Jewish year which receives it’s special importance because of the festival of Pesach that falls in it. In the entire month of Nissan the tachanun prayer (a daily prayer of repentance) is omitted since it is not in line with the happy character of the month. Neither may eulogies be said over a deceased person during the month of Nissan, for the same reason. What is strange however: There are many months in the year with festivals. The month of Tishrei for instance, even has three festivals in it (Rosh haShana, Yom Kippur, and Succot) but did not acquire this special status, of a month that has a festive character throughout. Why would this be?
The answer is that the redemption which Pesach represents is such an essential concept in the creation of the Jewish people, that it should be felt and remembered every day of the month Nissan, the month of redemption. The exodus from Egypt is a historical fact that is not just celebrated. It is a concept that a Jew is continuously required to keep in mind, and that is always meant to be felt in connection with the nationhood of the Jewish people.
This is not so much to remember the suffering that our people experienced in the land of Egypt. It is especially important for us to think and contemplate as to why G’d believed it was worth all the effort of taking us out of mighty Egypt with so many miracles, and so much publicity. G’d doesn’t always do things so openly. There has to be very good reason for it. And this good reason is what the Jewish people will have to make happen by observing G’ds laws and commandments. There is no repayment for G’ds efforts more suitable than this.