MARCH 2010

The Talmud tells us that when Haman went to Achashveirosh to ask permission to kill all the Jews, one of Haman's complaints about the Jews was that they never show up for work--rather they constantly say to their bosses, today is Shabbos, today is Pesach, etc. One of the commentaries asks why the Talmud only mentions Pesach, as there are other holidays on the calendar, some of which are even longer than Pesach, such as Succot, which would force even more days off work?. And the answer is, as all Jewish mothers know, Pesach requires the most preparation. Luckily nowadays most of us are not involved in harvesting wheat, protecting it from moisture, milling it and baking matzah, but there is still so much work to be done preparing the home and then putting together the Seder(s).  So as I do every year, I will briefly address the holiday of Pesach: 

On the night before Passover, Sunday night March 28th, a ritual “search” for Chametz is conducted in the home and Chametz that is found is burned the next morning. Traditionally observant Jews customarily make a small fire in a garbage can to fulfill this ritual. In some communities special arrangements are made with the fire department to burn all of the community’s chametz at one time. After burning the Chametz a short recitation is made, through which one gives up ownership of and nullifies any Chametz that s/he may not be aware is in his or her possession.

Pesach itself begins this year with the first Seder on Monday night, March 29th. With the early changing of the clock to Daylight Savings Time, nightfall is quite late and it is preferable not to start a Seder until nightfall; if that is not possible, one should try to eat matzah after nightfall. The second Seder, on the night of Tuesday, March 30th, can be celebrated communally at our Synagogue. 

The seder is specifically designed to communicate to children the story of our exodus from Egypt.  Since its inception, the Seder focused on answering the four questions, known as “ma nishtana”, traditionally recited by the youngest attendee. The Seder table is set up to include things not normally on a table so as to stir the curiosity of children. In the place of bread, matzah is eaten as part of the Seder. The simplest reason for the commandment to eat matzah at the Seder is to remember that the Jews were rushed on their way out of Egypt and therefore their bread did not have time to rise.  Matzah is also referred to as the bread of the poor man, commemorating the years of slavery that preceded the exodus.  Bitter herbs, known as maror, are eaten to remember the sad and difficult times of slavery.

Four cups of wine are drunk symbolizing the wording of God’s promise to the Jews while they were in Egypt.  It is customary to recline while eating and drinking at the Seder, as a show of the freedom that was gained with the exodus. A well-known custom is the “stealing” of the Afikoman, a broken piece of matzah which is hidden during the Seder, challenging the children to find it and return it in exchange for a present.  The Haggada, the written guide to the Seder, consists in large part of answers to the child’s questions, relating the exodus story through quotes and commentaries on the Biblical story. 

The seventh day of Pesach commemorates the splitting of the sea, which allowed the Jews to escape the pursuit of the Egyptians. The Torah Portion read that day tells this story. In many synagogues, especially in Israel, this day is celebrated by large crowds gathering and singing the whole night through, commemorating the song that was recited after the splitting of the sea.

More information about the various laws of Pesach and Chametz will follow separately. I encourage everyone to visit my website at http://web.me.com/haxelman/Rabbi_Steven_Axelman/Pesach.html  where more information and links will be found.

Best wishes to all for a Chag Kasher V'samayach--a Happy and Kosher Pesach!

  Rabbi Steven Axelman

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