B"H
Wednesday, Adar2- 17, 5784 / March 27, 2024
The holiday of Pesach (Passover) will begin Monday night, April 22. On that night we will all celebrate the first Seder. In the Diaspora, we also celebrate a second Seder on Tuesday night.
Pesach is the holiday in which we celebrate our freedom from Egyptian bondage. In the Passover holiday services, we refer to the holiday as, “Zeman Cheiruteinu” – “season of our freedom.”
Cheirut, in this context means freedom. The same letters can also spell the word “Charut,” which means engraved. The Torah tells us that the Ten Commandments were Charut - engraved on the Two Tablets.
The fact that the writing on the Two Tablets is expressed by the same word as freedom teaches us that true freedom is not only physical and bodily freedom, but when we also have spiritual freedom which is connected to Torah. We acquired true freedom through the commandments which, just as they were engraved unto the G-d given Tablets, they should also be engraved in the heart of a Jew.
Our sages tell us, “There is no freedom for a Jew, without Torah.” Indeed, the purpose of the Exodus from Egypt was so that the Jewish people will come to Mount Sinai and receive the Torah. True freedom is when it comes with responsibility, with purpose and a goal in life. Freedom is not when one is free from responsibility, but when one works at fulfilling their purpose and mission in life.
This idea is emphasized at the Pesach Seder. On the one hand we all sit down at the Seder to enjoy our freedom. On the other hand, it is called “Seder,” because there is a very specific structure and “order” of mitzvot, prayers and readings of Torah passages which we have to follow at the Seder. At the Seder we experience freedom which comes through “order” – “Seder.”
Q.At the Pesach Seder, four is an important number. We drink four cups of wine; ask the four questions and read about the four sons. Why is number four so significant at the Seder?
A.G-d used four expressions of redemption to inform the Jewish people that they will be liberated from their Egyptian exile. Thus, the number four is so significant at the Seder.
Q. What are the four expressions of redemption?
A. Bring; Deliver; Redeem; Take. G-d told Moshe to tell the people, "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 Me for a people..." (Exodus 6:6-7).
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL, HAPPY DAY & HAPPY CHODESH/MONTH
UNITED WE STAND IN PRAYER FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL
& FOR THE WELFARE OF THE CAPTIVES. MAY THEY BE RELEASED NOW.