“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.”
12 of Nissan
The last of the twelve sacrifices of the tribes of Israel is the offering of the tribe of Naftali. The name Naftali speaks of serving the Almighty in prayer, in the broadest sense of the word, a sense of closeness with God. The service of prayer, as a constant connection with the Almighty, no matter how subtle and fragile it may seem, is, according to the Rebbe, an indicator of the state of a Hasid, his ups and downs, followed by even greater ups.
Yes, Naftali is not at the forefront; some may find his state simplistic, and sometimes superficial, but it is prayer that our sages call the specific occupation of our forefathers. Naftali is a reliable rearguard: to cast aside all real and imaginary difficulties and pour out one’s heart before the Almighty.
