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B"H
 
Monday, Adar 29, 5777 / March 27, 2017
 
Q. On Shabbat and holidays, after reciting the blessing over the first cup of wine (Kiddush), we can drink as many cups of wine as we want, without reciting another blessing over each cup. Yet, at the Seder we drink four cups of wine and we recite the blessing over wine before each cup. Why? 
 
A. The reason we drink four cups at the Seder is to commemorate the four expressions of redemption which G-d used for the Exodus. Each cup represents a different expression of redemption and thus is a separate mitzvah. Because they are four separate mitzvot, we make a separate blessing before drinking each cup.
 
Q. At the Seder, when we perform the mitzvah of eating the matzah and drinking the four cups of wine, we are required to sit in a reclining position. What is the reason for this?
 
A. In ancient times, noblemen would eat in a reclining position. It was a sign of freedom. The average person, especially a servant, did not recline. At the Seder, when we celebrate our freedom from slavery, the rabbis instituted that we demonstrate our freedom by reclining as noblemen when performing the special mitzvot at the Seder.
 
Q. Why do we recline on the left side, not on the right side?
 
A. Our sages established that we recline on the left side so that the food should not accidentally enter the upper part of the windpipe, which may cause chocking.
 
Q. Why, when eating the maror (bitter herbs), we do not recline?
 
A. The maror is to remember the bitter slavery we endured in Egypt. It is not a sign of freedom. 
 
Q. What is the reason for filling the "Cup of Eliyahu (Elijah)" at the Seder?
 
A. The four cups which we drink at the Seder commemorate our past redemption. The "Cup of Eliyahu" symbolizes our future and ultimate redemption with the coming of Moshiach. According to tradition, Eliyahu HaNavi (Elijah the prophet) will be the one to inform us of Moshiach's arrival. May it occur speedily in our days!
 
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Wednesday, Nissan 2, 5777 / March 29, 2017
 

Pesach is celebrated every year on the 15th day of the Hebrew month Nissan, because it is the day in which G-d liberated the Jewish people from Egypt.
 
Although the secular dates for Pesach will vary from year to year, the Hebrew date is always the same - 15 of Nissan. It is due to the different amount of days in a year between the Hebrew and secular calendars that they don't conform from year to year.
 
This year Pesach begins Monday night, April 10. Although Monday is only the 14th day of Nissan, but in the Hebrew calendar the next day begins from the night before - the day follows the night. Thus, Monday night is already considered Tuesday.
 
Q. Did the 15th day of Nissan have any significance before the Exodus?
 
A. Yes. On the 15th of Nissan, 400 years before the Exodus, Yitzchak (Isaac) was born to Abraham and Sarah. It was a great joyous time, as Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90. In fact, the name Yitzchak, means laughter. The birth of Yitzchak brought great happiness to Abraham and Sarah.
 
Q. Is there any connection between these two events which took place 400 years apart? Was the 15th of Nissan chosen to be the day of the Exodus at random or was there any significance that G-d chose that particular date?
 
A. G-d told Abraham 430 years before the Exodus, about the Egyptian exile where his descendants will be enslaved. G-d said to Abraham, "Your children will be strangers in a foreign land for 400 years." (Genesis 15:13). The 400 year count began with the birth of Yitzchak. Thus, the 400 years were up on exactly the 15th of Nissan, the day in which Yitzchak was born. G-d didn't leave us in Egypt even one extra day. He took us out exactly 400 years to the day. Thus, the Exodus on the 15th of Nissan was determined 400 years earlier, when Yitzchak was born. 
 
Q. The book from which we recite our prayers all year long is called, Siddur. Why is the book from which we recite at the Seder called, Hagadah? 
 
A. The Pesach Seder is especially designed with the children in mind. We speak of the four sons; the children ask four questions; we are told to begin the Seder as soon as possible after the evening service, while the children are still up. The children are major players at the Seder.
 
The Hagadah gets its name from the commandment in the Torah, "Vhigadta L'bincha" - "You shall tell your son." The Torah commands us specifically to make sure to tell our children, on the night of Pesach, about the Exodus. "Hagadah" comes from the word, "V'higadta" - to tell.
 
 
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

Monday, Nissan 7, 5777 / April 3, 2017

 

Questions & Answers on the Pesach Seder, which will be celebrated Monday night, April 10. In the Diaspora we also have a second Seder, Tuesday night, April 11.

Q.  During the year, after reciting the blessing over bread (“Hamotzi”), we dip the bread in salt before eating it.  Also, during the other Passover meals, we dip the matzah in salt,or put salt on the matzah, after the blessing.  Why, at the Seder, when we make the blessings over the matzah, many do not dip the matzah in salt?

A.Because eating the matzah at the Seder is a special mitzvah, for which a special blessing, except for the regular Hamotzi blessing, is recited.  Because of the importance of this mitzvah, we do not want to take away from the taste of the matzah. We want to get the pure taste of the matzah, without any additives.

Q.  Why do we refrain from eating roasted meat at the Seder?

A.  The Passover sacrifice, which every Jew had to bring, in the days of the Holy Temple, had to be eaten roasted.  Today, when we do not have the Temple, we refrain from eating roast, in order not to create the impression that the meat we eat at the Seder in any way resembles the Passover sacrifice, for we are forbidden to bring sacrifices outside the Temple.  

Q.  Why is it important to eat the Afikoman beforemidnight?

A.  The matzah eaten for the Afikoman represents the Passover sacrifice at the time of the Temple.  The meat of the sacrifice had to be eaten before midnight. 

Q.  Why do we eat the Afikoman at the endof the meal?

A.  The Afikoman is eaten at the end of the meal just like the Pesach sacrifice, in the days of the Temple, had to be eaten at the endof the meal. The reason is so that the taste of the holy Pesach sacrifice will remain with us even after the Seder. The same with the taste of the Afikoman, which represents the Pesach sacrifice, should also remain with us even after the Seder.

There is an important lesson in this. It teaches us that the experience and message of the Seder, the meaning of spiritual freedom, must stay with us long after we have finished the physical Seder. It is an experience which should be internalized and carried forward with us throughout the year.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

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Reminder: Don’t wait to the last minute to return the contract of the sale of Chametz.

Please remember our Pesach Torah Fax fund raising campaign.

B"H
 
Monday, Nissan 7, 5777 / April 3, 2017
 
Questions & Answers on the Pesach Seder, which will be celebrated Monday night, April 10. In the Diaspora we also have a second Seder, Tuesday night, April 11.
 
Q.  During the year, after reciting the blessing over bread (“Hamotzi”), we dip the bread in salt before eating it.  Also, during the other Passover meals, we dip the matzah in salt,or put salt on the matzah, after the blessing.  Why, at the Seder, when we make the blessings over the matzah, many do not dip the matzah in salt?
 
A. Because eating the matzah at the Seder is a special mitzvah, for which a special blessing, except for the regular Hamotzi blessing, is recited.  Because of the importance of this mitzvah, we do not want to take away from the taste of the matzah. We want to get the pure taste of the matzah, without any additives.
 
Q.  Why do we refrain from eating roasted meat at the Seder?
 
A.  The Passover sacrifice, which every Jew had to bring, in the days of the Holy Temple, had to be eaten roasted.  Today, when we do not have the Temple, we refrain from eating roast, in order not to create the impression that the meat we eat at the Seder in any way resembles the Passover sacrifice, for we are forbidden to bring sacrifices outside the Temple.   
 
Q.  Why is it important to eat the Afikoman before midnight? 
 
A.  The matzah eaten for the Afikoman represents the Passover sacrifice at the time of the Temple.  The meat of the sacrifice had to be eaten before midnight.  
 
Q.  Why do we eat the Afikoman at the end of the meal?
 
A.  The Afikoman is eaten at the end of the meal just like the Pesach sacrifice, in the days of the Temple, had to be eaten at the end of the meal. The reason is so that the taste of the holy Pesach sacrifice will remain with us even after the Seder. The same with the taste of the Afikoman, which represents the Pesach sacrifice, should also remain with us even after the Seder. 
 
There is an important lesson in this. It teaches us that the experience and message of the Seder, the meaning of spiritual freedom, must stay with us long after we have finished the physical Seder. It is an experience which should be internalized and carried forward with us throughout the year.
 
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
 
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Reminder: Don’t wait to the last minute to return the contract of the sale of Chametz.
Please remember our Pesach Torah Fax fund raising campaign.
 

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