A Pesach lesson: Performing mitzvot personally

Hi,


"The Torah says, ‘The nation carried out its dough before it could rise, their burdens bound up in their clothes, upon their shoulders.’

"R’ Natan asked: Did they not have animals? But the Jews loved the mitzvot, and they went and did it themselves in order to receive reward for going and doing…"

(Midrash, Mechilta d’R’ Shimon bar Yochai 12:38)

Have a great Moed,
Mordechai

Lifting the Seder Plate

Hi,

[During the Seder, at "Ha Lachma Anya," we lift the Seder Plate.]

"One could explain the practice simply, based on this midrash:

"It is written (in Psalms), 'From the refuse, Gd will lift up the poor.' This refers to the Jewish people, who were sunken in Egypt, and Gd elevated them."

(Taamei haMinhagim 530, from Matei Aharon)

Have a wonderful Yom Tov,
Mordechai

Hiding the afikoman

Hi,

"One reason why we hide the afikoman is so that children will see and ask why we are hiding away matzah before we have even eaten. Through the answer we will come to tell the story of leaving Egypt."

(Taamei haMinhagim 527)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Dipping twice

Hi,

"One reason we dip twice [at the Seder] is:

"We dip once to remember the redemption from Egypt, regarding which it is written [for the Pesach offering brought on the night of the redemption], 'You shall take a hyssop bundle and dip it.'

"The second dip is to remember the exile, which was for the sin of selling Joseph, regarding which it is written, 'They dipped his tunic in blood.'"

(Taamei haMinhagim 524, citing Shelah)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

A Beautiful Seder Table

Hi,

"All year long, it is good to avoid beautiful utensils, in order to minimize any feeling of status, to remember the destruction of the Temple. This does not apply for the Seder night, though, because the Torah instructed us to demonstrate freedom, such as by using silver and gold implements and brightly colored clothing."

(Maharil, Seder haHaggadah #4)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Three matzot at the Seder

Hi,

"One reason why we use three matzot is to commemorate the three se'ah measures of flour [that Sarah prepared for the visiting angels in Genesis 18] on Passover.

"We break one of the matzot in order to remember the splitting of the Sea, as well as the Jordan River [when the Jews entered Israel in Joshua 3], which occurred on Passover."

(Taamei haMinhagim 520, citing Daat Zekeinim miBaalei haTosafot)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The Seder Kittel - An exercise in humility

Hi,

[Note: A kittel is a simple white robe, worn by grooms under the chuppah in many Jewish communities, and also used as one of the tachrichin burial shrouds.]

"One reason to wear a kittel at the seder is to keep one from becoming arrogant in his joy; thus one wears the garment of the deceased."

(Taamei haMinhagim 503, from the Taz)

Have a great day,
Mordechai