“Nasi” – The Offerings of the Tribal Princes of Israel
One year after the Exodus, on the first of Nissan, the dedication of the portable Sanctuary began. The dedication lasted twelve days, during which offerings were brought daily to the Mishkan, delivered by the prince of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
In memory of this, it is customary during the days of the month of Nissan preceding Pesach to read daily the passage from the Torah describing the offerings of the prince of a different tribe.
Our website provides the text of the prayers from the Siddur “Tehillat Hashem” published by “F.R.E.E. Publishing House.”
6 Nissan
Today is the day of the tribe of Gad. However dissonant this name may sound to the Russian ear, it simply means happiness, luck.
Gad is characterized by an unconventional view of the world. As is known, before entering the Land of Israel, it was unexpectedly discovered that this tribe possessed a vast amount of cattle. The Rebbe cites a commentary explaining this fact by the descendants of Gad’s love for the manna. Unlike the other tribes, they preferred it to any steak. This love for non-earthly food also manifested itself in their willingness to receive a portion where the Land of Israel would only be in the future, on the eastern bank of the Jordan.
The ability to see and seek, behind an often unappealing reality, the sprouts of the future and the more exalted, often helps in serving the Almighty and provides additional strength. But it also ensures not the easiest trials. Yet without such optimists as the tribe of Gad, life would be duller.
