Thirty Days Before Pesach

Yeah, I know, its really twenty-six days.

The Gemara in Megila (29b) says that one must ask about and expound upon the laws of Pesach, starting from thirty days prior to Pesach which is Purim. The inner reason, adds the Chernobyler Magid (in his Likutei Torah, Parshas Parah), is because the בהירות (clear, bright light) of Pesach starts shining from Purim. Last Shabbos (still before Purim), the Rebbe was already learning Maor Einayim (at the beginning of Parshas Tzav) about Pesach.

Here is a tidbit from Rebbe Nachum of Chernobyl (Maor Einayim, in the השמטות from Breishis): "Rosh Chodesh Nisan is from the same word as נס [commonly meaning 'miracle', but also a pole or something elevated], for in this month we are able to "elevate" our heads [and pick ourselves up]. Therefore, it is imperative to strengthen and purify oneself [in this month]."

In Parsahs Tzav, the Maor Einyaim adds that just like Klal Yisreol went from Egypt (constriction, katnus) to freedom (gadlus) in Nisan, so too every year during the month of Nisan we have the capability to leave the constricted, limited experience and primitive thinking that we find ourselves in most of the year, and to move forward to freedom and gadlus (expansive, liberated experience and connection to Hashem). This is what Chazal meant when they said (Rosh Hashana 11a): בניסן נגאלו ובניסן עתידין ליגאל, "In Nisan they were redeemed and in Nisan we will be redeemed in the future". Every year we can tap in to the light of Nisan and be redeemed from the debilitating nature of Egypt, Paroah and all that they represent.