Month of Aviv
OBSERVING THE MONTH OF AVIV
Deuteronomy 16:1 [1] tells us to:
"Observe [2] the month of Aviv and keep [3] the Passover to Yehova [4] your God, for in the month of Aviv, Yehova your God brought you out of Egypt by night".
AVIV AND THE EXODUS
In Exodus 13:4 [5], Yehova says the Israelites will leave Egypt in the month of Aviv. Aviv is thereafter described several times as 'the month in which Yehova brought the Israelites out of Egypt' (see for example, Exodus 23:15 [6] and Exodus 34:18 [7]). Moreover, in Exodus 12:2 [8], we are told:
"This month is the beginning of months for you; it shall be the first month of your year".
THE FIRST MONTH OF THE YEAR?
If you're familiar with the Hebrew calendar, you'll know there is currently no month by the name of Aviv. There is a month called 'Av' - but that is the fifth month of the year [9]. The month of Aviv is supposed to be the first month of the Hebrew calendar, although the first month is currently called 'Nissan'. 'Nissan' is the name given to the first month of the year in the Book of Esther (3:7 [10]). In the year 2024, the month of 'Nissan' falls between 8th April and 7th May [11]
NISSAN AND AVIV
As such, it is recognised that 'Aviv' and 'Nissan' are both names found in scripture [12] and this is explained by some Jewish sources as meaning that the same month just has different names [13]. However, it is also recognised that 'Nissan' is a Babylonian name [14]. As the month based on the Exodus therefore, its name therefore gives us clues about the cycles of Jewish self-determination [15].
THE COMMANDMENT TO OBSERVE THE MONTH OF AVIV
As mentioned, Deuteronomy 16:1 [22] tells us to 'observe' the month of Aviv, although there are few references to the word 'aviv' in the Torah [23].
The word for 'observe' in Hebrew is 'shamar' [24] and this word is used (inter alia) in relation to Adam's cultivation and 'keeping' of the garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15 [25]); the 'guarding' of Eden by the cherubim after Adam was driven out (Genesis 3:24 [26]); the reply made by Cain to Yehova about his brother, Abel (Genesis 4:9 [27]) and Yehova's command to Abraham to 'keep' the covenant (Genesis 17:9 [28]). You may have also heard this in relation to someone who observes the Sabbath, that is, who is 'Shomer Shabbat' [29].
The only further reference to 'aviv' is in Leviticus 2:14 [30], in relation to grain offerings of firstfruits, where we are told that those who wish to bring these types offerings must 'offer crushed heads (aviv) of new grain roasted on fire'.