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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Passover - Pesach
- The Seder Night
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
In other words, the story of our Exodus from Egypt is not a mere recounting of an event that happened to our forefathers once upon a time. Rather, it is an event the impact of which continues to be felt by every Jew in every generation throughout history.
When one sits down on Seder Night and tells the story of the Exodus to his children, he must feel as if he is recounting an event that happened to he himself. The reason for this is that the Exodus from Egypt did not merely free us from physical bondage - it freed us eternally ("Cherut Olam"). The Exodus from Egypt served to infuse us with a new, free soul, deeply affect by the Divine nature. All of the souls of Israel for all generations left Egypt for eternal freedom. This concept is reminiscent of the idea that, according to our sages, all of the Jewish souls of all the generations were present at Mount Sinai for the giving of the Torah.
What’s more, every single year, on the holy night of Passover, Seder Night, the Divine illumination which was present during the original Exodus from Egypt is renewed. This illumination, though, is very inward, and very deep, and unfelt by the senses. The mind cannot identify this inner manifestation; emotion cannot sense, concretely, the greatness of that which is being revealed. Only special people with deep spiritual capacities truly understand and experience for themselves the same kind of rejuvenation which took place then with the Exodus from Egypt.
The sages therefore teach, "In every generation, a Jew is obligated to regard himself as if he personally had gone out of Egypt." Indeed, deep inside, in the depths of the Jewish soul, a lofty illumination emanates forth in such a way that it acts upon him and elevates him.
According to some authorities, this is the reason that we do not recite a blessing before reading the Haggadah. Just as there is a blessing before every commandment, so too there really ought to be a blessing like, "Blessed are You Who has commanded us to tell the story of the Exodus" over the recital of the Haggadah. It is explained that, in essence, the commandment is fulfilled by identifying, feeling, having an inner experience. In other words, the most important thing is what transpires in one’s heart, and when it comes to things that take place in the heart there is no need to pronounce a blessing.
The commandment to recall the Exodus from Egypt is unlike other commandment. It is not like the precept of Torah study which one fulfills even if he does not understand what he is reading. The same goes for the commandment of hearing the reading the Scroll of Ester or reciting the Hallel prayer of thanks - one need not understand what is written therein.
When it comes to the Passover Haggadah, the true point of the commandment is to understand, to know, and to make an effort to feel as if one had himself exited Egypt. This is the opinion of Rabbi Yehudah Liva, the Maharal of Prague. The story of the Haggadah must be told in a spontaneous manner, bursting out of the depths of the heart. One should not restrict himself to the formal confines of the Haggadah but should attain a renewed sense of the same feeling experienced by the Children of Israel, as if it was happening here and now. This is the essential goal of Seder Night.
From Slavery to Redemption How Does One Fulfill the Obligation to Experience the Exodus
A Moment of Wisdom
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Rabbis in Midrash
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
