Chapter 107:1
The Month of Nissan
1. Neither "Tachanun" (1) nor "Tziduk HaDin" (2) is recited throughout the
entire month of Nissan (3). Similarly, "Tzidkos'cho Tzedek" is not recited
in the afternoon service on Shabbos. Every day, from Rosh Chodesh Nissan
onward, it is customary to read the paragraph in the Torah [Numbers,
Chapter 7,] which corresponds to the prince ("nasi") of the tribe who had
brought his offerings on that particular day of Nissan (4). On the
thirteenth of Nissan, it is customary to read the beginning of the
portion "Beha'aloscho" until the verse, "So he made the menorah," for this
corresponds to the tribe of Levi.
FOOTNOTES:
(1) "Tachanun" is comprised of prayers of supplication, and is recited
after the "Amidah" during the morning and afternoon service.
(2) A prayer recited at the cemetery during a funeral. .
(3) The month of Nissan is considered a time of joy because it is the
month during which the Israelite nation was liberated from slavery in
Egypt. It is also the month during which the "Mishkan" (the
portable "temple" used while the Jews were travelling through the desert)
was first erected and dedicated. "Tachanun" and "Tziduk HaDin" are not
recited at times of joy (See Aruch HaShulchan 429:1-3)
(4) The "Mishkan" (see previous note) was erected on the first of Nissan,
and on each of the first 12 days of Nissan during that year, a prince of a
different tribe brought his offerings as part of the dedication of the
Altar.
