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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions
Answer:We must distinguish between the basics of the Seder and additional enhancements. You captured the Torah’s basic mitzva to tell about Yetziat Mitzrayim (the Exodus) on Seder night, as formulated by the Rambam (Chametz U’matza 7:1) and indeed p’sukim throughout the Torah. Let us add other central points.
The account of Yetziat Mitzrayim is not only an example of Divine kindness, but its associated miracles serve as a linchpin of our belief system (see Ramban, Shemot 13:16), similar to Matan Torah. The Torah stresses regarding both (see Shemot 10:2 and Devarim 4:9) the importance of the inter-generational chain, including parents and grandparents, confirming our deep belief. I have made a point at the Seder to have my children’s great-grandmother recall a Seder with her grandparents, where the latter fully believed the unbroken chain of testimony they relayed. I urged my children to tell this to their great-grandchildren. (Such links in the chain can extend over 200 years).
Chazal found it important to connect the remembrance of Yetziat Mitzrayim to both p’sukim and the mitzvot of the day. The core of Maggid consists of the Rabbinic elucidation of a four-pasuk summary of the story (Arami Oved …- Devarim 26:5-8). Rabban Gamliel says we must mention pesach, matza, and maror and explain their connection to the story of Yetziat Mitzrayim in order to fulfill our mitzva.
All these basics can be accomplished by joint reading of the Haggada with basic comprehension. But the Rabbis tell us that whoever increases the scope of talking about Yetziat Mitzrayim is praiseworthy. How is this done best? The simplest way is to continue speaking about the miracles and events (Rambam ibid.:1). Yet, this is not easy to do. There is no consensus of the texts one should use to provide additional stories of miracles. There are rarely family traditions (as there certainly were in the first generations) of what our ancestors experienced other than the general account of the Torah and Chazal.
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions (654)
Various Rabbis
52 - A Ben Chutz La’aretz Flying Out of Israel on Yom Tov Sheini
53 - The Focus of Discussions at the Seder
54 - Pumping Air from a Wine Bottle on Shabbat
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Our children are supposed to be the focus of the Seder, and we should strongly consider their needs and interests. Generally, the abilities and religious needs of the speaker and the audience play a major role (Rambam, Sefer Hamitzvot, Aseh 157; narrative of the Four Sons). Some people internalize the message of Pesach best through theatrics, song, emotional expression, art, …, and these can all be employed as appropriate.
The Rambam does not mention halachic discussion in this context, but the Rosh (Pesachim 10:33) and Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 481:2) do, as the answer to the Wise Son implies. Considering the aforementioned idea of connecting the story to the performance of the mitzvot, it makes sense that the details of the mitzva are related as well. Therefore, halachic discussion of Pesach is in the spirit of the evening as long it does not qualitatively harm focus on relating the story deeply (see B’tzel Hachochma VI:47).
As Hallel and the custom to read Shir Hashirim after the Seder indicate, focusing on our relationship with Hashem is also in the spirit of the night.
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions Ask the Rabbi: Omitting Tachanun in Selichot in the Presence of Simcha
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
