Various thoughts based on Pesach observance and the Pesach Haggadah
when the Beis HaMikdosh (the Holy Temple) stands, we bring the Korban Pesach (special Pesach sacrifice). The procedure requires that people form groups before bringing the Korban Pesach, and then Seder night, only the people of the pre-arranged group eat the Korban Pesach. There is an additional regulation that requires that the men eating the Korban Pesach have already had Bris Mila (circumcision).
The Rabbis ask, what is the connection between Bris Mila and Korban Pesach? They explain, there are two levels of partnership between HaSh-m and a Jew. One is on the individual level, one is on the group/ community level. Before one can make a commitment on the community level, one must first make the personal (individual) commitment. Thus one is required to have Bris Mila, the sign of the personal commitment, before one is able to participate in the Koban Pesach, which represents the community (group) commitment.
from the Pesach Haggadah - The four sons -
Chazal (the great rabbis) emphasize that the main idea of Pesach and the Pesach seder is to ask and answer questions. Thus the seder opens with the "four questions" and we read that even if we were great learned people, we would still need to ask the four questions.
The Chassidic masters, referring to the discussion of the "four sons", state further that one must understand that for a person to grow, one must ask questions. Even the son "who doesn't know to ask" is forced into wondering and asking. But as seen from the difference between the "wise" son or the "simple" son and the "evil" son, one must not stand off on the outside, looking inwards. One must be inside, asking the questions to better understand how, what and why we observe HaSh-m's commands.
from the Peasch Haggadah - In each generation -
We are told that each person in each generation must "see" himself as if he was personally ensalved in Mitzraim (Egypt) and then feel and experience the exodus. Can anyone really feel the experience of Mitzraim? A number of the Chassidic masters explain that the word "Mitzraim" can mean either Egypt or "narrow boundaries". Each person in this world is constrained by "narrow boundaries" in everyday life, especially in the battle against the bad influences in our lives. Thus say the Masters, it is not so hard to feel the Egyptian slavery part of the "Mitzraim experience" - the challenge is to achieve the exodus!
Back to Home Page