B"H

Thursday, 21 Adar 2, 5776 / March 31, 2016 – HAKHEL YEAR

Pesach (Passover) is the holiday in which we celebrate our freedom from Egyptian bondage.  In the Passover 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. True freedom we acquired 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 knows and works at fulfilling their mission in life.

This idea is emphasized at the 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?  What do the four cups of wine represent?

A.G-d used four expressions of redemption to inform the Jewish people that they will be liberated from their Egyptian exile. The four cups of wine which we drink at the Seder, represent the four expressions of redemption. 

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)  To commemorate these four expressions, we drink four cups of wine.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY