Shabbat and the Exodus from Egypt

Hi,

"We say in kiddush [that Shabbat is] 'a memorial for the exodus from Egypt,' as stated in Pesachim 117b; the Tur strained regarding this, for Shabbat commemorates Creation! He explained that the phrase refers to 'days of holy convocation' – [the line in kiddush should read: 'it is the first of the days of holy convocation, which are a memorial for the exodus from Egypt.'

"In the name of Rambam, the Tur wrote that Shabbat itself commemorates the exodus from Egypt, for in the exodus from Egypt it was clarified that He is Divine, first, creating, desiring and capable, and this is what Shabbat itself teaches.

"But Ibn Ezra wrote simply that Shabbat commemorates Creation, and the rest of the slave on Shabbat commemorates the exodus from Egypt. This is explicit in the second appearance of the Commandments (Devarim 5:14), 'So that your male and female slave will rest like you, and you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, etc.'"

(Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein, Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 271:27)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

Haggadah: Kadesh!

Hi,

We name each section of the Haggadah, and the first section is called "Kadesh". This is an odd title; "Kiddush [Sanctification]" is the proper name for the action we perform, while "Kadesh [Sanctify!]" is an imperative, a command.

Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook viewed this, indeed, as a command. He wrote, in his characteristically florid poetry:

The most active root of sanctification, the individual's, with which we act upon the day, emerges with the departure from Egypt, with the revelation of implemented truth, immutable in the radiance with which it affects each individual. This is the power of freedom, the departure from the house of slaves...

Therefore, with holy emotion, all declare on the night of the sanctification of this holiday - the source and foundation for all of the Divine holidays preserving the national memory... the wealth of the points of life added on that holiday on each specific level of Israel's holiness - this holiday which sanctifies the times, on this day it is declared to each Jew that he must recognize the worth of his actions, planting righteousness and receiving a reward of truth: Kadesh!

(Olat Re'iyyah: Haggadah shel Pesach, Kadesh)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

Peace in the home

Hi, "Rava said: It is obvious to me that if person has a choice between (1) acquiring fuel to illuminate his house for Shabbat, and (2) acquiring fuel for the Chanukah menorah, he should acquire fuel to illuminate his house for Shabbat; the importance of household peace overrides the mitzvah of publicizing the miracle of Chanukah. "It is also obvious to me that if a person has a choice between (1) acquiring fuel to illuminate his house for Shabbat, and (2) acquiring wine for kiddush, he should acquire fuel to illuminate his house for Shabbat; the importance of household peace overrides the mitzvah of kiddush." (Talmud, Shabbat 23b) חג אורים שמח, Mordechai

The reward for care in mitzvot

Hi,

"Rav Huna said: One who is careful regarding Shabbat lights and Chanukah lights will merit to have children who are Torah scholars. [Rashi explains that this is linked to the verse, 'For a mitzvah is a lamp, and the Torah is light.']

"One who is careful regarding mezuzah will merit to have a beautiful dwelling.

"One who is careful regarding the tzitzit will merit to have a nice garment.

"One who is careful regarding the mitzvah of kiddush will merit to fill barrels of wine."

(Talmud, Shabbat 23b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Why stand for Kiddush?

Hi,

We stand when reciting kiddush on Friday night, at least for the first paragraph, because that paragraph serves as testimony to Gd's creation of the world and because the initials of the opening words spell out Gd's unpronounced Name, Yud-Hei-Vav and Hei (Yom Hashishi Vayechulu Hashamayim).

Some sit even for the first paragraph. Kiddush is supposed to be established in the location of one's meal, and one establishes a location by sitting down. Either custom is appropriate.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 271:10; Mishneh Berurah 271:45-46)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Linking Pesach and Shabbat

Hi,

Food for thought; what is the Pesach and Shabbat connection? Isn't Shabbat universal [Creation of the World] and Pesach only Jewish [Exodus from Egypt]?

"Rav Acha bar Yaakov said: One must mention the departure from Egypt in kiddush [for Shabbat]. Regarding the departure from Egypt it says 'So that you should remember the day', and regarding Shabbat it says 'Remember the day of Shabbat, to sanctify it.'"

(Talmud, Pesachim 117b)

חג כשר ושמח,
Mordechai

Marrying Shabbat

Hi,


"Just as a man and woman become married when the Kallah (bride) enters the Chuppah, so Shabbat becomes married to the Jews at its entrance, with Kiddush."

(Maharsha's comment to Bava Kama 32b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The Menorah, the Shabbat Candle, Kiddush and Peace

Hi,

Introductory note: One of the main purposes of Shabbat lights/candles is to illuminate the home, so that people will not trip over things or get into fights in their frustration in the dark.

"If a person must choose [financially] between Shabbat lights and Chanukah lights, or between Shabbat lights and kiddush for Shabbat, then Shabbat lights have precedence, for the sake of domestic peace...

"Peace is great, for the entire Torah was given for the sake of creating peace in the world, as it is written, 'Its paths are paths of pleasantness, and all of its ways are peace (Proverbs 3:17).'"

(Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Laws of Chanukah 4:14)

Have a great day,
Mordechai