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Not only is there a mitzva to eat the Korban Pesach but there are also many halachot of how to eat it. It must be roasted, must not be underdone, must be eaten in one night, and one must not break its bones. The Sefer Hachinuch explains that all of these halachot enable the eating to resemble that of noblemen. Apparently, the Korban Pesach is not just to thank Hashem for saving us (although that is a major part of it). Rather, we are supposed to celebrate in style. But why should we celebrate specifically within the context of a korban?
Before answering, let us see a fascinating passage in the Ohr Hachayim. The Korban Pesach should be eaten along with matza and maror (bitter herbs) (Shemot 12:8). The simple explanation is that even when focused on that which the Korban Pesach represents, we should not forget the hard work that maror represents or the concepts behind matza. However, the Ohr Hachayim (ad loc.) explains that the matza and maror improve the Korban Pesach’s taste. Is good taste the extent of the significance of matza and maror in this context? Actually, the Ohr Hachayim explains that something very deep lies behind the surface of the improved taste.
The Ohr Hachyim says that the Korban Pesach represents the essence of geula (liberation), maror represents the exile, and the matza represents the speed with which the geula was carried out. Just as the physical matza and maror make the Korban Pesach taste better, so too did the speed of the liberation and even the fact that it was preceded by exile give the geula more significance. He explains that Bnei Yisrael wouldn’t have reached the level they did had without the exile that preceded the geula.
Returning to the matter of celebratory eating, let us realize the following. The more we use physical celebration to appreciate our freedom and our status of nobility, the more we can grasp the magnitude of that which Hashem did for our nation when he liberated us from Egyptian bondage with miracles and signs. Let us always appreciate and thank Hashem for the good He bestows upon us.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
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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
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Re’eh
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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.
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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.
