Haggadah: Koreich - Why have a sandwich?

Hi,

Once we eat matzah and marror separately, why do we combine them for a sandwich in Koreich?

The Torah instructs us regarding the combination of the korban pesach, matzah and marror, in Shemot 12:8 and Bamidbar 9:11.

The Talmud (Pesachim 115a) records a debate regarding the proper interpretation of the Torah's instruction in Bamidbar 9:11, "They shall eat [the korban] upon matzah and marror." Hillel debates the rest of the sages, and there are two views as to what their respective positions were:

1. Rabbi Yochanan: Hillel says a sandwich is acceptable; the Sages say it is unacceptable;

2. Rav Ashi: Hillel says a sandwich is necessary; the Sages say it is unnecessary.

Therefore, we eat the two items separately to satisfy Rabbi Yochanan's understanding of the position of the Sages, and we eat them together to satisfy Rav Ashi's understanding of the position of Hillel.

This is why we preface Koreich by saying that we are eating the sandwich to commemorate the Beit haMikdash, as Hillel did it.

For more on the technical issues surrounding the sandwich, feel free to download my audio shiur here.

חג כשר ושמח,
Mordechai

The Message of Hillel, in Koreich

Hi,

"The trait of Hillel, the lover of peace and pursuer of peace, who loves HaShem's creatures and brings them close to Torah, to the sacred preserve of the nation of Gd, the entire nation, will return to us.

"We will speak of peace to all of our scattered members and all of our factions, and the light of redemption which comes together with the mention of the Pesach and the Matzah, the signs of redemption, will sweeten for us the impressions of the bitterness of exile, and its spiritual and material pain, as symbolized by the Marror.

"Thus we will merit redemption, which will spread upon us the protection of peace and the light of truth - quickly, in our own times."

(R' Avraham Yitzchak haKohen Kook, Haggadah shel Pesach)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The necessity of servitude and freedom

Hi,

"We must understand these two forces, that of servitude and that of freedom, not as separate forces which operate independently, each with its own role, but as two joined, complementary forces...

"The overall goal will be realized only with the knowledge and recognition that these two forces are not contradictory, but are joined in creating the world’s ultimate Freedom, the honor and the powerful desirability of which is not revealed unless it is crowned by exalted Servitude, servitude before the King of Glory, which is also the ultimate freedom.

"Therefore, the perfect form of Freedom comes when it is bound together with Servitude, such that a person will find within himself the total control which is suitable for a truly free person, who reigns as well upon the greatest of forces, which is the force of freedom itself."

(Rav Avraham Yitzchak haKohen Kook, Haggadah shel Pesach, on Koreich)

Have a great day,
Mordechai