B"H
Tuesday, Adar 26, 5778 / March 13, 2018
Questions & Answers about the Pesach Seder
Q. During all other times of the year, after reciting the blessing over the first cup of wine, we can drink as many cups of wine as we want, without reciting a blessing over each cup. Yet, at the Seder we drink four cups of wine and we recite the blessing over the wine (“Borei Pri Hagafen”) before eachcup. Why?
A.The reason we drink four cups at the Seder is to commemorate the fourexpressionsof redemptionwhich G-d used in connection with the Exodus. Each cup represents a different expression and is a separatemitzvah, thus a separate blessingis required for each cup.
Another reason is that the lengthy passages of the Hagadah and the discussions we are encouraged to have about the story of the Exodus constitute an “interruption” between the cups of wine and thus necessitate an individual blessing for each cup.
Q. At the Seder, when we eat the matzah and drink the four cups of wine, we are required to sit in a recliningposition. One of the Four Questions is why do we recline at the Seder. What is the reason to this question?
A.In ancient times, noblemen would eat in a recliningposition. 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 freedomthrough action and recline when performing the special mitzvot at the Seder.
Q. Why do we recline on the leftside, not on the right side?
A. Our sages established that we recline on the left side when eating or drinking for safety reasons, so that the food should not accidentally enter the upper part of the windpipe, which may cause chocking.
Q. Before reciting the Hagadah, we break the middle matzah. We hide the bigger part for the Afikoman, to be eaten at the end of the meal. The smaller piece we put back onto the Seder plate. What is the reason for breaking the middle matzah before reciting the Hagadah?
A.In the Torah, Matzah is called, “Bread of affliction.” Although, at the Seder, we celebrate our freedom, we also remember and recall our slavery and affliction. One can appreciate the miracle of freedom even more, after remembering the pain and suffering before becoming free. Thus, we recite the Hagadah over the brokenmatzah – which represents the bread of affliction.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
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In memory of Parents Jeno Zoldan ( 5th of Shvat) and Margaret Zoldan (26th of Adar) . You are always remembered, and missing from our daily lives.
B"H
Thursday, Adar 28, 5778 / March 15, 2018
Questions & Answers about the Pesach Seder
The book from which we read at the Seder is called, “Hagadah.” The prayer book from which we pray is called, Siddur.” The Torah from which we read in the synagogue is called, “Torah.” The Torah in book form from which we study is called, “Chumash.” The Book of Psalms is called, “Tehillim.”
Q. What is the reason for these various names for these holy books?
A. The reason the book used for the Passover Seder is called, “Hagadah,” is that “Hagadah” comes from the Torah expression “V’Higadta,” which means you shall “Tell.”
The Torah commands “And you shall TELL your son on that day (Passover).” There is a special Mitzvah to tell our children the story of the Exodus and answer their questions about it. Because it is the book from which we fulfill the mitzvah of telling the story of Passover, it is called “Hagadah.”
The daily prayer Book is called “Siddur,” because “Siddur” means “order.” It comes from the same root as “Seder.” The prayers are a compilation of various passages from the Torah, the Prophets, Psalms, Mishna etc. The prayer book is called Siddurbecause all the prayers are found there in their proper order. One needs to only look in the Siddur and find the daily prayers, the Shabbat prayers, the holidays prayers and all other blessings and prayers, without having to look for them in their original sources.
“Tehillim” means “praise.” The reason the Book of Psalms is called “Tehillim” is that in there we find 150 chapters which are full of praise to G-d. Most of them authored by King David.
The word, “Torah,” comes from the word, “Horaah,” which means guidanceand teaching. The Torah is our guide because it teaches us between right and wrong. It teaches us the proper way of life.
“Chumash” comes from the word “Chamesh” which is “five.” The reason that the book form of the Torah is called, Chumash, is that the Torah is divided into FiveBooks.
Q. Why is it preferable to use round hand bakedmatzot for the "Seder Plate?"
A. The Torah refers to the matzah which the Jewish people baked when leaving Egypt as "ugotMatzot" (cakes of matzah). The word "ugah" commonly represents something round. The round hand baked Shmurah matzah are similar to the matzot Jews baked the very first time, while still in Egypt, for their first Seder. The round Shemurah Matzah give our Seder a special connection to the original Seder performed by our ancestors.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
B"H
Friday, Adar 29, 5778 / March 16, 2018
This Shabbat is a special Shabbat. It is Shabbat Rosh Chodesh, the first day of the New Hebrew month, Nissan. Every Rosh Chodesh there is a special Torah reading for Rosh Chodesh.
It is also Shabbat Parashat HaChodesh – the fourth Shabbat in which we do a special Torah reading at this time of the year.
This Shabbat we begin the third Book of the Torah, the Book of Leviticus with the reading of Parashat Vayikra. Because of the above three Torah readings, from different places in the Torah, we will remove three Torahs from the ark and read from them.
The Book of Leviticus deals with the various sacrifices which were offered in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later in the Holy Temple.
In the beginning of the Parsha G-d tells Moshe to speak to the children of Israel and say unto them, “When a man will bring from you an offering to G-d...” The Parsha continues with the specifications and details of the various sacrifice offerings.
Our sages ask, The Torah is speaking about an animal offering which a person brings to the Temple.
It should have said, “When a man from you will bring an offering to G-d.” The way it is worded in the Torah, “When a man will bring from you an offering to G-d,” seems that the offering is “from you” - from the person himself?
Our sages answer that the Torah teaches us an important lesson. The word “offering” in Hebrew is “Korban,” which can also mean, “to come closer.” The Torah tells every Jew, “in order to become spiritually closer to G-d, a person has to make a personal sacrifice from themselves (“from you”).
In other words, one should not become discouraged when observing mitzvot and performing good deeds takes effort. G-d puts us through various tests so that through our efforts to overcome the obstacles, we become closer to G-d.
Our sages tell us in Pirkei Avot (Chapters of our Fathers), “The greater the effort, the greater the reward!”
When we make an effort to perform mitzvot, study Torah or give charity, we are sacrificing from ourselves, which brings greater reward.
Tonight (Friday night) and Shabbat is Rosh Chodesh.
SHABBAT SHALOM & A HAPPY ROSH CHODESH
Montrealcandle lighting time: 6:44/ Shabbat ends: 7:47
B"H
Monday, Nissan 3, 5778 / March 19, 2018
Pesach (Passover) will begin next week, Friday night, March 30. Pesach is a seven day holiday in Israel and eight days in the Diaspora.
The holiday of Pesach is associated with the number four. Four questions are asked. The Hagadah speaks of Four sons and we drink Four cups of wine at the Seder.
Q. Why is the Seder connected with the number four?
A. When G-d told Moshe to go liberate the Jewish people from Egypt, He used four expressions of redemption. The four cups of wine at the Seder correspond to the four expressions of redemption mentioned in Exodus (6:6-7):
G-d said to 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'ga’alti") with an outstretched arm and with great judgment. And I will take you ("V'lakachti") to Me for a people and I will be to you a G-d.”
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. 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. Thus, this cup is called, “Cup of Eliyahu.” May it occur speedily in our days!
Q. Why do we open the door for Eliyahu (Elijah the Prophet)?
A. As mentioned, The "Cup of Eliyahu" symbolizes our prayer for the ultimate redemption with the coming of Moshiach. Opening the door teaches us that it is not enough to desire Moshiach, but we have to actively do something to hasten the coming of Moshiach and to let him in.
Another reason for opening the door is that the Torah calls the night of the Seder "Leil Shimurim" - "The night of guarding". On this night, G-d takes special care to guard the people of Israel. Opening the door expresses our belief that we are not afraid, for G-d is watching over us.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
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