The Jewish nation mourned for thirty days following the passing of Moses. (During this time, Joshua, the new leader of the Jewish nation, sent scouts to spy on the land of Canaan, see Jewish History for the 5th of Nissan).
On the 7th of Nissan, the first day after the mourning period came to an end, Joshua instructed the Jews to stock up on provisions and prepare themselves to cross the Jordan river and begin the conquest of the Promised Land. This was the first time Joshua addressed the nation, and they unconditionally accepted him as their new leader.
The actual crossing occurred on the 10th of Nissan.
In 1890, Dr. Moshe Wallach emigrated from his native Germany to the Land of Israel. Ten years later, he founded the Shaarei Zedek Hospital, one of Jerusalem’s most prominent hospitals. Dr. Wallach was a strictly observant Jew, and the hospital protocol follows Shabbat and kashrut observance, and provides religious services for both weekdays and holidays.
In 1929, during a journey by boat from Alexandria to Trieste, Dr. Wallach cured Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn when he fell ill with a kidney ailment.
Link: Cause and Effect
In today's "Nasi" reading (see "Nasi of the Day" in Nissan 1), we read of the gift bought by the nasi of the tribe of Ephraim, Elishama ben Amihud, for the inauguration of the Mishkan.
Once a month, as the moon waxes in the sky, we recite a special blessing called Kiddush Levanah, "the sanctification of the moon," praising the Creator for His wondrous work we call astronomy.
Kiddush Levanah is recited after nightfall, usually on Saturday night. The blessing is concluded with songs and dancing, because our nation is likened to the moon—as it waxes and wanes, so have we throughout history. When we say this blessing, we renew our trust that very soon, the light of G‑d's presence will fill all the earth and our people will be redeemed from exile.
Though Kiddush Levanah can be recited as early as three days after the moon's rebirth, the kabbalah tells us it is best to wait a full week, till the seventh of the month. Once 15 days have passed, the moon begins to wane once more and the season for saying the blessing has passed.
Links:
Kiddush Levana: Sanctification of the Moon
Brief Guide to Kiddush Levanah: Thank G‑d for the Moon!
“Send men for yourself to tour the land.” (Numbers 13:1)
“Meaning that G-d said: I am not telling you what to do. If you so decide, send.” (Rashi ad loc.)
The spies were sent to view first-hand the lay of the land, its beauty and its weaknesses, so that it could be transformed into a holy land.
Our souls are sent to this world to reveal its beauty and facilitate its blossoming into the divine world it was meant to be.
But to transform a world, you must work from within. And that means using your mind and taking risks. Yes, you will make your decisions according to the Torah that you learn. You will ask advice from those with wisdom and experience.
But at the end of the day, spending your life mission like a salaried employee following instructions is not going to change the world.
You have to take ownership of your mission in life, making informed decisions and sticking to them—decisions that come from you as you are here in this world, with all the uncertainty and hazard that this world carries with it.
Because real change is always an inside job.