B"H
Tuesday, Adar2 19, 5779 / March 26, 2019,
In preparation for the holiday of Pesach (Passover), here are Questions & Answers about the holiday.
Q. The way the Hebrew calendar is set, there are three nights in the week in which the first Seder cannot fall. Which three nights are they?
A. The first Seder cannot fall Sunday night, Tuesday night or Thursday night.
Q. Why is it preferable to use round matzah for the Seder?
A.The Torah refers to the dough which the Jewish people took out of Egypt on their shoulders and was baked in the sun as they left Egypt as, "ugot Matzot" (cakes of matzah). The word "ugot" commonly represents something round. Thus, we use round matzah for the Seder.
Q. Why do the matzah have holes in them?
A. The holes are to keep the matzah flat. They prevent the dough from rising and becoming leavened (chametz) which may render them forbidden for Pesach.
Q. How many times are we obligated to eat matzah at the Seder?
A.Three times. Once for the Mitzvah of matzah (after reciting the first part of the Hagadah and washing our hands). The second time we use matzah for the "Korech" (the sandwich of matzah and Maror). The third time for the Afikoman, which we eat at the end of the Seder meal.
Q. The order of the Four Sons as mentioned in the Torah is: 1) Wicked son; 2) One who doesn’t know to ask; 3) Simple son; 4) Wise son. However, the order of the Four Sons at the Seder table, as they are mentioned in the Hagadah, is: 1) Wise son; 2) Wicked son; 3) Simple son; 4) One who does not know to ask. Why is the order changed in the Hagadah? Why is the wicked son placed next to the wise one?
A. In the Torah they are mentioned in the order of who needs our attention and influence most. Thus, the wicked one is first and the wise one last. In the Hagadah they are placed according to their level of intelligence. Although he is wicked in his actions, yet his level of intelligence is more than the last two.
Also, we specially place the wicked son next to the wise one, so that the wise son will influence him to better his ways. Only the wise one can influence the wicked son of the importance of the Exodus and adhering to the Torah and Mitzvot which G-d gave to the Jewish people.
The lesson: We shouldn't reject any child, not even the wicked one. We must never give up on any child. Instead, we place the wicked son next to the wise son so that the wise one will try and influence the wicked one that he, too, will become wise and follow the right path in life.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY