B"H
Monday, Adar 18, 5778 / March 5, 2018
There is one month from Purim to Pesach (Passover). Purim is always on the 14th of Adar and Pesach is on the 15th day of the month Nissan. However, on the secular calendar the dates will vary from year to year, as the days in the Hebrew calendar year are not the same as in the secular calendar year.
The first Seder this year will be celebrated Friday night, March 30.
The holidays of Purim, which we just celebrated, and the next holiday, Pesach (Passover) are both holidays which celebrate redemption. On Purim, the Jewish people were redeemed from Haman's terrible decree of annihilation; while on Pesach, we were liberated from the cruel bondage in Egypt.
Each holiday has laws associated with it. This is especially true with the holiday of Pesach which has significantly more laws and customs than any other holiday. In order to be familiar with the laws of the holiday, our sages in the Talmud tell us that 30 days before the holidaywe must begin studying and familiarizing ourselves with the laws of that holiday.
Thus, being less than one month before Pesach, we will, G-d willing, begin discussing the laws, customs and reasons associated with the holiday of Pesach.
Much of the information may have already been covered in previous years. However, it is important to review and refresh our memory.
One of the ancient traditions associated with Pesach is to contribute to the "Maot Chitim Fund."
“Maot Chitim,” literally means "Money for wheat." There was a time when every family would have to buy their special Passover wheat, grind it into flour and take it to the matzah bakery to bake their own matzah. Each community had a “Maot Chitim fund.” The contributions to this fund were used to help the needy to acquire wheat for matzah. Today, “Maot Chitim” is used to assist the needy with all their Passover provisions and requirements. The needs for Passover are more extensive than at other holidays and thus we should make a greater effort to fulfill this great mitzvah of helping the needy.
At the beginning of the Pesach Seder we recite the following passage, "This is the bread of poverty which our fathers ate in the land of Egypt. Whoever is hungry let him come and eat. Whoever is needy let him come and join in the observance of Pesach."
Pesach is a time when we celebrate our freedom; at the Seder table we all gather together with our loved ones to enjoy all the good G-d blessed us with. It is only right that we make sure that those less fortunate than us will also experience a happy and joyous Pesach with their loved ones.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY