- Shabbat and Holidays
- Passover - Pesach
Another lesson of preparation for Pesach is how exact life is. A small amount of chametz – even only a true particle – is enough to render our food inedible on Pesach. We see how in nature, in the human body, in medical research, in computer science, in almost every facet of life, the smallest deviation from the norm creates major consequences later. Pesach reinforces the basic Jewish concepts that there really are no small things in life and in relationships. One foolish word, one misspoken statement can destroy a lifelong relationship. A small act of kindness can change a person’s entire life – both for the giver and the receiver. And the same is true for an act that lacks kindness, compassion and sensitivity. The small act of kindness of the daughter of the Pharaoh in rescuing a Jewish infant from the crocodile infested waters of the Nile changed all of human civilization and world history. The pettiness and spitefulness of those who informed on Moshe almost derailed the whole process of Jewish redemption from Egyptian slavery. The realization that there are really therefore no small things in life and in our existence is certainly one of the major preparatory mindsets that ready us for the Pesach holiday. Thus most if not all of the laws regarding Pesach and in Temple times regarding the Pesach sacrifice center on seemingly minute issues because on the road to Jewish redemption there are no small things – everything is important and crucial.
Another mindset preparation for Pesach is the reinforcement of the importance of family in our lives and actions. All Jewish holidays are family oriented, as is all Jewish life, but Pesach is especially so. The Torah emphasizes this point in stating that the Pesach sacrifice was to be "a lamb for every house." In our time the family structure of many Jews has disintegrated, leading to great personal and national problems. People are afraid to commit to creating a family of their own – witness how many singles now populate the Jewish world. People realize that committing to marriage and to a particular spouse is an act of faith and bringing Jewish children into our dangerous world is an equal if not greater act of faith. And faith is unfortunately a commodity that is in very short supply in today’s Jewish society. Pesach reminds us of the fact that we the Jewish people are in essence a family with all of the glory, problems and peculiarities that this entails. And that part of the task of family life is to ensure that the family will continue to exist and that selfish betrayal of the family always brings with it elimination from the greater eternal book of the Jewish people. So part of our Pesach preparations is the renewed commitment to family continuity and growth. If these Pesach ideas permeate our minds and hearts as we engage in all of the necessary physical work that lead up to Pesach we can be assured that this Pesach, like all other Pesachs, past and future, will be special, meaningful and joyous for all concerned.