“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.”
13 of Nissan
Today, they finish reading the description of the Sanctuary’s dedication, up to the chapter of the Menorah. Apparently, to remember that the ultimate goal of all their efforts is the flame of the soul, reaching upward.
The twelve tribes are not alike. Reuven and Shimon, sight and hearing, see the world differently. Menashe has no business in the Zevulun synagogue, and he wouldn’t be welcome there. Yisachar and Naftali don’t understand how the other is wasting their precious time. But they all come together for Passover.
Today is a summing up of all twelve days, a cumulative counting of all the sacrifices. It is associated with the tribe of Levi, whose service is common to all—to be a companion, an appendix, a follower, not a leader. A Jew expresses the meaning of his existence with his entire life, and therefore is merely a follower of the One who imparts meaning. With such preparation, one can rid oneself of chametz and eat matzah (that is, become it).
