The Haggada that is recited at the Seder on the eve of Pesach should be recited with a JOYOUS tone and in an UPLIFTED voice.
It is the celebration of our liberation.
No one can ever take us back into the abject slavery in which we found ourselves as slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt over three thousand years ago.
This is not a nostalgic historical celebration. The Passover Seder is a reenactment. A reliving of what it means to go from the lowest point in human experience, that of degrading slavery, to the heady and uplifting space of freedom and liberty.
Jews have celebrated Passover in the best of times.
Today there are many Passover ‘resorts’ where Jewish families combine the religious celebration with beautiful views and destinations and fine kosher cuisine.
Jews have celebrated Passover during the inquisition.
During the holocaust.
In the Siberian gulags.
And today Jews living in Israel are preparing for Pesach even as they dash in and out of shelters.
Tragically, some families are mourning fallen sons.
When I saw the name of the fallen Israeli soldier a few days ago, I knew it was a relative.
You see Moshe Yitschak Katz was named after his great-grandfather Rabbi Moshe Yitschak Hecht, who was an older brother of my grandfather.
The dynamic Hecht brothers (there were six), American born and bred, became emissaries of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s to build the foundations of Jewish learning and living in the USA starting in the early 1940’s.
Rabbi Moshe Yitschak Hecht spent more than fifty years from his early adult years till his passing, tirelessly heading a Yeshiva day-school in New Haven CT in which thousands of Jewish boys and girls received a Jewish education. It was a labor of love, one that took every ounce of his energy, between covering the perennial deficits and steering the curriculum blending Torah studies and general studies.
Many decades later, his great grandson who felt a passion in his soul to defend our people in Israel enlisted in the Israeli army and in his first deployment in Lebanon, Moshe Yitschak Katz lost his life tragically and heroically.
It is impossible for me to imagine how my second cousin and his family are going to transition from the shiva mourning to the Pesach Seder.
I know that they will.
They are Jewish.
And the Jewish people at their very formation are referred to as G-d’s ‘army’.
They will march on. With determination, hope and positivity.
May G-d comfort them and give them the strength to carry on the legacy of their heroic son.
I quote from the Rebbe’s entry in the Hayom Yom Diary about the Jewish fortitude and absolute commitment:
From the time of the exodus from Egypt the Jewish people are called the "Army of G-d."1 They are also called "servants." The difference is this: A servant performs his master's service which may be on many different levels; he may work at the delicate craft of threading pearls, he may do other kinds of expert work or he may perform simple tasks. His service involves great toil and labor, but this does not constitute mesirat nefesh - a willingness to sacrifice self, to lay down one's life. Soldiers are servants who serve with great toil and labor and with self sacrifice, in wars of defense or attack. The soldiers stand at their posts with the highest degree of stalwart determination, undeterred by the opposing enemy; their service is not one of comprehension, for they act according to the orders of their commander.
The Jews in Egypt were utterly degraded under their severe and bitter affliction. Yet, despite it all, they did not change their names, their language, or their distinctive clothing. With absolute determination they stood at their posts, for they knew that G-d had promised to redeem them.
Whoever behaves as they did under such circumstances is a soldier in the Army of G-d, and the Al-mighty will come to his assistance in a manner that manifests itself in nature - yet transcends nature.
I got an emotional and uplifting note from someone in our community in Bangkok. He came especially to put on Tefilin in honor of Moshe Yitschak, although he rarely does so.
As he put it, ‘that's the least I can do to honor a fallen brother.’
Especially during these tense days and trying times, we need to redouble our efforts to strengthen our mitzvah observance. Especially putting on Tefillin as often as we can (daily besides for Shabbat and Chagim).
Lighting Shabbat and Holiday candles are especially significant as they add more light of holiness to the world.
Our Mitzvah’s are critical and contribute strength and security to our nation.
Let us do our bit as links in the golden chain of the ‘legions of Hahem’ who emerged from the House of Bondage to become the moral lighthouses of the world, chosen by G-d at Mount Sinai to be his special nation, with positivity and joy.
In a joyous upraised voice!
Hopefully things are going well for you, and it is natural and easy for you to rejoice.
If G-d forbid you are going through a challenge of your own, make the effort, even if it requires a herculean effort, to celebrate Pesach, Zman Cherutenu the holiday of our freedom.
The main agendas of the day:
Making sure you have no Chametz in your possession by selling it or disposing of it totally.
Joining a Seder click here.
Getting Matzah for eating on Wednesday (and Thursday) night. (JCafe is open tomorrow (Wednesday) and then again on Sunday-Tuesday of next week selling matzah and other kosher for Passover food items).
Relating and reliving our Exodus from Egypt by saying the Hagada tomorrow night. Click here for Hagada instructions.
May we merit to have the fulfillment of what we proclaim at the end of the Pesach Seder
LESHANA HABAAH BEYERUSHALAYIM
Chag Kasher Vesameach,
A happy and kosher Pesach
Rabbi Yosef & Nechama Kantor