B"H

Tuesday, Adar 19, 5778 / March 6, 2018

Questions & Answers on the holiday ofPesach- Passover

Q.   Why is the holiday called Pesach?

A.  “Pesach” in Hebrew means to “pass over.” The Egyptians were punished with ten plagues. The last one was when G-d killed every first born Egyptian, but skipped over the homes of the Jewish people. It was this final plague which made Pharaoh and the Egyptians let the Jewish people go. This occurred on the night before the Exodus. It was the night in which we celebrate the Seder.

The word Pesachhas another meaning. Pesach can be made into two words; Pe(mouth) Sach(to speak).  In this context, Pe-sach teaches us that, on the night of the Pesach Seder, we must speakand tell the story of the Exodus, in great detail.

Q. Why was Pharaoh afraid of this plague more than the other plagues?

A.  Pharaoh was himself a first-born. The other plagues didn’t affect him as much.

Q.  When was the first Pesach Seder held?

A.   In Egypt on the night before the Exodus.At that Seder they ate Matzah, Maror, and the meat of the Pesach sacrifice. Although they were still not free people, G-d told them to celebrate their freedom. Freedom according to Torah is more of an attitute than a physical condition. One can be in bondage and be free.. while another can be free and be in deep bondage.

Q.  How many years did the Jewish people live in Egypt?

A.210 years. Yaakov (Jacob) moved to Egypt in the Hebrew year 2238. The Exodus was in 2448.

Q.  How many Israelites left Egypt at the time of the Exodus?

A.  The Torah states, “About six hundred thousand men, besides the children.” This count includes men from the age of 20. With the women and children, it is probably safe to say that there were a few million people who left Egypt.

Q.  How many names does the Pesach holiday have?

A.Four.1) Chag Ha-Aviv- The holiday of spring. Pesach must always be in the spring; 2) Chag Ha-Matzot- The holiday of matzot; 3) Chag Ha-Pesach- The holiday of Pass-over (as mentioned above); 4)  Zman Cheiruteinu- The season of our freedom.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY