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1) THE CREATION OF THE WORLD

(a) (R. Eliezer) We know that the world was created in Tishrei as it states that Hashem ordered the land to be full of grass and the trees to be full of fruit, which happens in Tishrei.

1. Additionally, we find that it rained for them, which also happens in Tishrei.

(b) (R. Yehoshua) We know that the world was created in Nisan as it states that the land began sprouting grass and the trees began forming fruit, which happens in Nisan.

1. Additionally, it must have been the time when animals breed (to populate the world), which happens in Nisan.

(c) Question: How does R. Yehoshua account for the Pasuk stating that the trees were forming fruit (but they weren't fully formed)?
(d) Answer: That is a blessing for the trees to form fruit for future generations.
(e) Question: How does R. Eliezer account for the Pasuk stating that the trees bore fully formed fruit?
(f) Answer: It follows the view of R. Yehoshua b. Levi that everything in the process of Creation was made fully formed, with their consent, and in their desired form, as derived from a Pasuk.

(a) (R. Eliezer) We know that the forefathers were born in Tishrei as a Pasuk refers to Tishrei as "month of the Eisanim."

1. This means the month in which the mighty ones (the forefathers) were born.
2. We have a Pasuk which shows us that Eisan means "mighty."
3. We also have a Pasuk which calls the Eisanim "mountains," and we know from another Pasuk that the forefathers are referred to as mountains.

(b) (R. Yehoshua) We know that the forefathers were born in Nisan as a Pasuk refers to Iyar as Chodesh Ziv.

1. This means the month with which upon its onset the splendor (Ziv) of the world (the forefathers) were already born (in the previous month Nisan).

(c) Question: How does R. Yehoshua account for the Pasuk calling Tishrei the "month of the mighty"?
(d) Answer: It means the month which is mighty with many Mitzvos.
(e) Question: How does R. Eliezer account for the Pasuk of "the month of splendor"?
(f) Answer: It refers to the splendor of the trees.

1. (R. Yehudah) One who goes out in Nisan and sees trees in bloom must bless Hashem for them.

(g) According to the opinion that they were born in Nisan, they also died in Nisan; according to the opinion that they were born in Tishrei, they also died in Tishrei.

1. This is learned from Moshe describing himself as "120 years old today."

i. "Today" teaches that his years were full to the day.
ii. Hashem ensures that the years of all righteous people are full to the day.

(a) Question: How do we know that Yitzchak was born on Pesach?
(b) Answer: The angel who forecast his birth said that he would return for it on the following festival.

1. Question: On which festival did this happen?

i. It couldn't have been Pesach, with him referring to Shavuos, as fifty days is not long enough to conceive and give birth.
ii. It couldn't have been Shavuos, with him referring to Sukos, as five months is not long enough to conceive and give birth.
iii. It couldn't have been Sukos, with him referring to Pesach, as six months is still not long enough to conceive and give birth.

2. Answer: He was referring to Pesach, and it was a leap year (so there were seven months).

i. Question: But since we know that Sarah was a Nidah at the time, her pregnancy could only have been less than seven months!
ii. Answer (Mar Zutra): Even according to the opinion that a nine-month pregnancy cannot be abbreviated, a seven-month pregnancy can be abbreviated.

a) We find that Chanah gave birth after "Tekufas ha'Yamim" (the plural form of both words) which means six months (two Tekufos) and two days (Yamim).

(a) Question: How do we know that Sarah, Rachel and Chanah were marked on Rosh Hashanah to give birth?
(b) Answer (R. Elazar): From a Gezerah Shaveh:

1. With Rachel and Chanah the word "Zechirah" (remembrance) is used, which is also used to describe Rosh Hashanah.
2. With Sarah the word "Pekidah" (marked) is used, which is also used with Chanah.

(a) Question: How do we know that Yosef was released from prison on Rosh Hashanah?
(b) Answer: The Pasuk of Tik'u b'Chodesh (referring to Rosh Hashanah) is followed by a Pasuk referring to the release of Yosef.

6) THE END OF THE SLAVERY IN EGYPT

(a) Question: How do we know that the slavery in Egypt ceased on Rosh Hashanah?
(b) Answer: A Pasuk refers to the release from Sivlus (burden).

1. The word Savel appears following a Pasuk speaking of the release of Yosef (which was on Rosh Hashanah).

(a) The past redemption of the Exodus was in Nisan, as explained.
(b) (According to R. Eliezer) The future redemption will be in Tishrei as learned (by way of Gezerah Shaveh) from the occurrence of the word Shofar both in reference to Nisan and in reference to the future redemption.
(c) (R. Yehoshua) The future redemption will be in Nisan as learned from the night of Pesach being called "a guarded night" - guarded for the purpose of redemption since the beginning of the world.

1. (R. Eliezer's response) It simply means a night guarded from danger.

(a) Both R. Eliezer (creation in Tishrei) and R. Yehoshua (creation in Nisan) understand the Pasuk about the start of the Flood in the second month in accordance with their different opinions as to when the world was created:
(b) (R. Yehoshua) It was the seventeenth of Iyar, when the Kima constellation sets by day and the springs recede.

1. Since they changed their ways, Hashem changed the order of the world.
2. He made Kima rise by day, removed two stars from it, and thereby brought on a flood.

(c) (R. Eliezer) It was the seventeenth of Cheshvan, when the Kima constellation rises by day and the springs are empowered.

1. Since they changed their ways, Hashem changed the order of the world.
2. He made Kima rise by day, removed two stars from it, and thereby brought on a flood.