B"H
Tuesday, Nissan 11, 5776 / April 19, 2016 – HAKHEL YEAR
Today, the 11th of Nissan, marks the 114th birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe - Rabbi M. M. Schneerson, of blessed memory. Although the Rebbe is not with us physically, his love for every Jew is still felt just as strongly and vibrantly as before, through his Torah teachings, through his dedicated emissaries in every corner of the globe and through the many activities he instituted and his educational networks which bring the light of Torah to every corner of the world. May his memory bring us blessings.
Q.At the Seder we ask fourquestions; drink fourcups of wine; we speak of foursons. Why is the Pesach Seder associated with the number four?
A.At the Seder we celebrate our redemption from Egyptian bondage. When G-d told Moshe to tell the Jewish people about their redemption, He used fourseparate expressions of redemption. In honor of these four expressions, we recount the Seder with number four.
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 four cups of wine.
Q. Pesach is the only holiday for which we are required to get rid of our non kosher for Pesach products. There are non kosher products which we are forbidden to eat all year, but we are not required to get rid of them. Why is the holiday of Pesach different than all other days of the year that whatever is forbidden on Pesach we have to burn or sell to a non Jew and it must be out of sight during the holiday?
A. All other non kosher products are not kosher all year long.A person will be careful not to eat them. But chametz (bread, cake etc.) is kosher all year long. They are forbidden only for seven or eight days. If we had it in the house and it was visible, it would be very easy for one to forget and come to eat it. Thus, we must take every precaution to make sure that the chametz is sold and out of sight.
Q. What is the reason for "wrapping" the Afikoman before hiding it?
A. In describing the story of the Exodus, the Torah tells us that at the time of the Exodus, Jews "took their dough before it was leavened.. bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders." By "wrapping" the Afikoman, we recall the fact that the dough was "bound in their clothes."
Q. Why do we “hide” the Afikoman?
A. 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.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
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In loving memory of Moshe Altman - Moshe Aharon ben Chaim Yehuda - of blessed memory
Yartzeit was Sunday, 11th of Nissan. May his soul rest in peace in Gan Eden.
From the family