Pesach 5768

Some personal thoughts on the upcoming chag!

Surprisingly perhaps for those who know me, Pesach, a holiday seemingly marked by spring cleaning and restrictive eating habits, is my favorite holiday of the year. I somehow manage to subsist on those delicious “cheese cake” snacks from JJ (basically cream cheese that you eat with a spoon), and transform my house into a fortress of silver foil (once one of my friends who normally is in a hotel for Pesach came to visit over chol hamoed and was confounded by the sight of my silver plated kitchen). However, it’s all kiday when we sit down as a family around the seder table and discuss our redemption from Mitzraim, a story which clearly resonates with each of us at every retelling.

The Mishna instructs us that “in each and every generation, one must see himself a though he came out of Mitzraim.” It is not just supposed to be a story of our past, but something we feel as if we are reliving. Such is how we answer the tam, rasha, and sh’ano yodeh lishol in the language of taking “me” or “us” out of Mitzraim, not just our ancestors.

In fact, this same language of “in each and every generation” is used also in a second place in the Hagadah. In “vihi sheamdah” we declare, “in each and every generation, enemies rise up against us to destroy us.” This elicits the question- what is the connection between these two statements which utilize this specific language of “in each and every generation”?

Rav Kook, as brought down by Rabbi Gideon Weitzman in “Light of Redemption,” explains that the Hagadah is placing the story of Pesach and redemption from exile in a larger context than just the redemption from Mitzraim. If we really recognize that Hashem rescued each of us from the depths of Mitzraim, then we can recognize that the Divine redemption was not, and is not, limited to just that period of time. In every generation, an Egypt has arisen and enslaved us- the Romans, the Greeks, the Crusaders, the Inquisition, the Kossaks, the Germans and unfortunately more. We so clearly can recognize the miraculous rescue of Mitzraim, and in fact we relive it not only in memory, but in practice, each time Hashem saves us from the enemy who has risen in that generation. Each time we are rescued from the enemy of the generation, we are in fact being released from “Egypt” once more.

Thus, we are told- remember and retell the story of your redemption. As Hashem saved us then, and repeatedly in the past, so to He will continually redeem us from our bondage, until once more we are returned to our promised land in Eretz Yisrael.

And so we declare by nirtzah- “lishana habaah biYirushalayem habnuyah”! Next year in a rebuilt Jerusalem! Sitting here in the United States, I sometimes have trouble grasping at the dream of this geula. How can I feel that its coming sitting here in NYC? Rabbi Menach Ganak gives the mashal of two people. One has been sitting in jail for a long time, but knows that he will be released tomorrow. Even while behind bars he already feels like a free person! The second is someone on the outside, but knows that tomorrow he will be imprisoned for the next 15 years. While he is currently home with his family or out on the streets of the city, already he feels like a prisoner. Our current location is inconsequential, the knowledge and belief alone that moshiach is coming, should allow us to taste the geula even while residing so far from our Homeland.

So what are we in the frustration of Galut to do in order to help realize the guelah. Hashem has already promised that it is coming, so why are we still here? I’m proud to share the following vort by one of my new favorite rebeim, Reb Zechariah- aka my little brother.

When Bnai Yisrael finally left Egypt as Hashem had promised them, in miraculous fashion, and seemingly were sailing their way off to their new home, Eretz Yisrael, they hit a bump in the road. Or more acuratly, a sea, as the Yam Suf stood in front of them. Meanwhile the mitzrim were closing in from behind. At this point Moshe called out, as it’s brought in Tehilim “Hosheanoo Elokim Key BAu Mayim!” Hashem responds, don’t just stand about in tfilah- do something!

This was Hashem’s test for us, to see if we really merited to be His chosen nation, His partner in this world. As my brother explains it, He’s deciding if this is the proper shidduch, whether in fact we are the other half of the Beloved’s relationship we will be reading in Shiur Hashirim on Peach. Love, Rav Dessler writes, is created when one person gives to another. The love in marriage is how a husband and wife compliment each other, by giving what the other lacks and thus complete one another. A relationship where one only takes is not love and is destined to fail. To this point Hashem gave us the makot and rescued us from the bondage of Mitraim, and now He turns to us and asks kvayachol- do you love me?

This is why Nachshon’s jumping into the Yam Suf and unconditional risking of his life al kidush Hashem resulted in the splitting of the sea. Nachshon was willing to give to Hashem the only thing he had to offer, his life, thus showing the love He felt for Hashem. In turn, Hashem parted the sea and allowed His beloved and chosen nation to pass. Once they exhibited their commitment and sacrifice to Him, He in turn as the loving spouse, gave back.

The Kedushas Lavi points out that there are 2 names used for Pesach, the one we colloquially use, Chag Hapesach, and the one used by the Torah, Chag Hamatzot. Why the difference? Chat Hapesach refers to our appreciation and love for Hashem, for passing over our houses and killing only the first borns of the Egyptians. In turn, Hashem addresses the holiday as Chag Hamazot in recognition of the appreciation and love we have for Him by our observing His commandments and rushing of Mitzraim for Him, without even allowing the time to properly provide for ourselves with risen loaves of bread. That's why Chazal say that Hashem's Teffilin say "Mi KiAmcha Yisrael"- "Who is like the Jewish nation?" and ours say "Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad"- "Hashem is One".

This is the loving relationship between us and our Beloved. We are told that the Moshiach is to come in Nissan, as in every generation it is a time for redemption. If we want to have that opportunity to not just taste the geulah sitting in our homes around the world, but to actually experience it, all we have to do is take that leap into the sea, run out without our bread properly risen, to take the effort to follow His commandments. All Hashem is waiting for is that sign that we really still are his bashert, that we recognize all He has offered us, and we aren’t just takers. We too love him, and want to compliment and complete Him in our own limited capacity. We want to be that chosen zviug. We want to return with him and rebuild our lasting home in Yerushalayem Habnuyah.

I think that’s why despite everything Pesach is my favorite holiday. It doesn’t just speak of a miraculous past, or commemorate what was- it allows us to create what will be. It allows us to exhibit to Hashem that we remember his promise, and we hear His challenge and are willing and ready to accept. Sitting around late into the night fulfilling the rituals and Mitzvot of the seder both remind Hashem why we were worthy in the first place and show that we still have that same commitment. That here we are trying to do our part, and will continue to do so until we are worthy of Hashem’s proposal.

May we all be zoche IYH bkarov to merit the fulfillment of Hashem rescuing us once again from the bondage of our generation, and redeem us to our homeland, and allow us to rebuild our homes in a rebuilt Yerushalayem.

Wishing you and your families a chag kasher v’sameach!