Derasha on Bo 12:2 — Torah Temimah note 4

Parashas Bo · Shemos 12:2 · TT note 4

The Complete Passuk

הַחֹ֧דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֛ה לָכֶ֖ם רֹ֣אשׁ חֳדָשִׁ֑ים רִאשׁ֥וֹן הוּא֙ לָכֶ֔ם לְחׇדְשֵׁ֖י הַשָּׁנָֽה׃

Chabad.org — English translation + Rashi

Source Citation

Torah Temimah on Shemos 12:2 points to the classical use of this verse for Nisan as the head of the months (Rosh Hashanah 7a and related).

Sefaria — Exodus 12:2
Sefaria — Torah Temimah on Exodus 12:2
Sefaria — Rosh Hashanah 7a
E-Daf — Rosh Hashanah 7a

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text — Rosh Hashanah 7a
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: בְּאֶחָד בְּנִיסָן רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה לָחֳדָשִׁים, וּלְעִיבּוּרִין, וְלִתְרוּמַת שְׁקָלִים. לָחֳדָשִׁים מְנָלַן — דִּכְתִיב: ״הַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה לָכֶם רֹאשׁ חֳדָשִׁים רִאשׁוֹן הוּא לָכֶם לְחׇדְשֵׁי הַשָּׁנָה״.

English: The Sages taught: On the first of Nisan is the New Year for months, for intercalations, and for the contribution of shekels. From where do we know [that it is the New Year] for months? As it is written: “This month shall be for you the beginning of the months; it is the first for you of the months of the year.”

Type of Learning

Scriptural source for Nisan as the head of the months for several calendar and Temple reckonings.

What Is Learned

This passuk establishes Nisan as the starting point for counting months (and related legal new-years listed in the beraisa).