B"H

Tuesday, Nissan 6, 5780 / March 31, 2020

 

Questions & Answers about the Pesach (Passover) holiday

 

Q.   How many years is it since the Exodus from Egypt?

 

A.   It’s 3,332 years, as the Exodus took place in the Hebrew year 2448.

 

Q.   Which two miracles does the Pesach (Passover) holiday commemorate?

 

A.   The beginning of Pesach commemorates the miracles of the Exodus.  The end of Pesach celebrates the miracle of the splitting of the sea, when the Jewish people were again saved from the Egyptians who were chasing after them.

 

Q.  The Seder Plate consists of three whole matzot, placed one on top of the other with a separation between the matzot. Before the children ask the four questions we break the middle matzah. The larger piece is hidden in order to be eaten later at the end of the meal. This piece of matzah is called “Afikoman.” The smaller piece of matzah is placed back between the two whole matzot.  Why do we break the middle matzah?

 

A.  The Torah refers to matzah as "Lechem oni" - "bread of poverty."  A poor man fears that he may not have anything to eat later, so whenever he eats his meal he breaks off a piece and saves it for another time.  Thus, we recite the story of the Exodus over the "broken" matzah which represents the "bread of poverty."

 

Q.  What is the reason for hiding the Afikoman?

 

A.  One reason is that in describing the story of the Exodus, the Torah tells us that the Jewish people "took their dough before it was leavened… bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders..."  By hiding the Afikoman, we recall the fact that the dough was "bound in their clothes."  

 

Another reason: To involve the children to search for the Afikoman so that they will stay awake through the Seder looking forward to the fun and prizes for finding the Afikoman.

 

One of the mitzvot associated with Passover is the contributions for "Maot Chitim."  Maot Chitim literally means "Money for wheat" - for the sake of helping the needy with their Passover provisions. 

 

The emphasis on collecting for the needs of the poor before Passover is more than on other holidays because of the additional expenses associated with Passover; the holiday meals, extra wine, matzah, etc.  

 

Let’s not forget this important mitzvah.  When we help the needy for Passover it also helps us fully enjoy the holiday.  For only by helping others who are lacking can we properly feel happy and enjoy our own holiday of freedom. This is especially important this year with the Covid-19 affecting so many families.

 

May G-d bless you, your family and the entire world with good health and a happy healthy Pesach.

 

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY