B"H
Monday, Adar 24, 5781 / March 8, 2021
The Pesach (Passover) holiday, when we celebrate our freedom from bondage, begins Saturday night, March 27. In Israel only one Seder is performed and the holiday consists of seven days. In the Diaspora, we perform two Sedarim and the holiday is extended to eight days.
The book used for prayers is called Siddur. The book used Passover at the Seder is called Hagadah.
Q. When was the first Hagadah printed?
A. It is believed that the first Hagadah was printed around the year 5245 (1485).
Q. What is the origin of the name Hagadah?
A. When the Torah tells us to perform the Seder and tell our children the story of Passover, it used the term, “V’higatda L’bincha (“You shall tell your son”). Hagadah comes from the word “V’higadta.”
Q. In many congregations, the Kiddush over wine, is recited in the synagogue, on Friday nights and festive holidays, after the evening service. Why, on Pesach, is the Kiddush not recited in the synagogue?
A. Since the cup of wine, over which the Kiddush is recited, is the first of the four cups at the Seder, the Kiddush cannot be recited in synagogue. It must be done at the Seder table together with the other cups.
Q. Why is the night of Passover different that we drink four cupsof wine (It is not in the four questions)?
A. Several reasons are given for the four cups of wine. According to one opinion in the Talmud, they represent the four expressions of redemptionwhich G-d used regarding the liberation of the Jewish people from Egypt.
In Exodus (6:6-7) G-d tells Moshe, "Therefore say to the children of Israel: I am the L-rd, and I will bring you out("V'hotzeti") from under the burdens of the Egyptians; and I will deliver you("V'hitzalti") from their bondage; and I will redeem you("V'gaalti") with an outstretched arm and with great judgment. And I will take you("V'lakachti") to Mefor a people and I will be to you a G-d; and you shall know that I am the L-rd your G-d, Who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians."
These fourexpressions ("I will bring you out... I will deliver you... I will redeem you... I will take you to Me") represent different stages in the redemption. We commemorate these four expressions and stages of our freedom through the four cups of wine we drink at the Seder.
Q. Why is it customary to use round matzah for the "Seder Plate"?
A.One reason is that the Torah refers to the matzah which the Jewish people baked when leaving Egypt as, "ugot Matzot" (cakes of matzah). The word "ugot" represents something which is round.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY