Another interpretation: “This month shall be for you” – that is what is written: “Happy is the nation that the Lord is its God” (Psalms 33:12). When the Holy One blessed be He chose [to create] His world, He set in it months and years. When He chose Jacob and His descendants, He set the beginnings of the months of redemption, during which Israel would be redeemed from Egypt and during which they are destined to be redeemed, as it is stated: “Like the days of your departure from the land of Egypt, I will show it wonders” (Micah 7:15).
In it [the month of redemption], Isaac was born and was bound, and in it Jacob received the blessings. In it, He intimated to Israel that it is the beginning of salvation for them, as it is stated: “It shall be the first month of the year for you.” It is analogous to a king who got his son out of prison, and he said: Establish it as a festival for always, since on it [that day] my son emerged from darkness to light, from an iron yoke to life [as a free man], from slavery to freedom, from enslavement to redemption.
So did the Holy One blessed be He take Israel out of prison, as it is stated: “He takes out prisoners from chains” (Psalms 68:7). From darkness and the shadow of death, as it is stated: “He took them from darkness and the shadow of death” (Psalms 107:14); from an iron yoke to the yoke of Torah, from slavery to freedom, as it is stated: “You are children to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 14:1); from enslavement to redemption, as it is stated: “Their Redeemer is strong, the Lord of hosts is His name” (Jeremiah 50:34).
Therefore, He assigned it [the month] for them to rejoice that He exacted retribution against their enemies on their behalf, as it is stated: “I will give men in your stead” (Isaiah 43:4).33Those who mistreated you will be mistreated instead of you.