Wednesday, Adar2 20, 5779 / March 27, 2019,

The holiday of Pesach (Passover), will begin Friday night, April 19. In Israel only one Seder is performed and the holiday lasts for seven days. In the Diaspora, we celebrate a second Seder, Saturday night, April 20, and the holiday lasts eight days.

Q.  What is the reason for drinking four cups of wine at the Seder?

A.They represent the four expressions of redemption (Exodus, 6:6-7) which G-d usedregarding the liberation of the people of Israel from Egypt; “I will bring you out... I will deliver you... I will redeem you... I will take you to Me for a people...” We commemorate these four expressions of freedom through the four cups of wine we drink at the Seder.

Q.  Why do we, in addition to the four cups of wine which we drink at the Seder, also fill an additional cup of wine, called, "The Cup of Elijah" which we do not drink?

A.  As mentioned, the four cups of wine represent the four expressions of redemption G-d used to tell the Jewish people of their liberation. In addition to the four expressions, G-d also told Moshe, "I will bring them into the land [Israel]... I will give it to you for an inheritance." (Exodus 6:8).  

The four cups which we drink at the Seder commemorate our past redemption. The "Cup of Elijah" symbolizes our future and ultimate redemption with the coming of Moshiach. According to tradition, Eliyahu HaNavi (Elijah the prophet) will be the one to inform us of Moshiach's arrival. This is why this cup of wine is called, “Cup of Eijah.”  May it occur speedily in our days!

Q.  Why were cups of wine chosen to commemorate our redemption?

A.  In Scriptures, wine is associated with happiness, salvation and redemption.  Thus, we celebrate our redemption and salvation through cups of wine.

On the lighter side:  In Chelm, there was a wine maker, called Yankel.  Most of his yearly income came before Pesach, when the Jews would buy his wine for the Seders. 

One year before Pesach, Yankel opened a new barrel and noticed that it was half empty.  How could wine be missing from a newly-opened barrel? He thought and thought, but couldn't figure it out. Finally, he called his wife and told her about this puzzle. "Perhaps you can solve the mystery," he said.

After a quick inspection, she pointed to the bottom of the barrel and exclaimed, "Yankel, look.. there is a small hole here. This is why the wine is missing!"

Yankel carefully inspected the hole, examined the wine in the barrel and looked at the hole again.  "That's the silliest thing I have ever heard! How could the hole be the culprit? Look, the hole is at the bottom of the barrel and the wine is missing at the top!"

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY