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A PASSOVER TIDBIT OF TORAH

A PASSOVER TIDBIT OF TORAH

By Rabbi Shawel

As we begin our Pesach Seder you may be familiar with these words, “This is the bread of affliction that our fathers ate  in the land of Egypt. Let all who are hungry enter and eat, and all who are needy come and celebrate Pesach”.

This statement is, in fact, one of Jewish law. We should be willing to share all our festive meals with the hungry. The invitation is even made in Aramaic, the spoken language at the time of the writing of the Haggadah, so that a hungry person  passing by could understand it. Why do we make such an invitation only at Pesach and not at the other festivals? Are we  not obligated to be hospitable all the time?
In the Vilna Goan’s book “Aderes Eliahu,” it lists the three greatest events in world history: the Creation of the World,  the Redemption from Egypt, and the Giving of the Torah. These three events are unique because, each of them represents an ongoing process, and because we are partners in the process. Although Hashem created the universe we are  His partners in the continuation of creation by having children, planting trees or just being good and kind.

And when Hashem gave the Torah to us, it didn’t stop there. We are to be part of the process in our learning and sharing it with others. In this way, the Torah is being given every time a Jew learns another aspect of Torah.

Redemption is also a continuing process, starting with the Redemption from Egypt, and culminating in the final redemption where peace will reign with the coming of the Mosheach. A person’s contribution does not need to be on a grand  scale; all that is asked is to do your part. We’re not asked to populate the entire world and we’re not asked to share our  Torah knowledge with everyone. We’re asked to do what we can, starting on a personal level and hopefully sharing with  others. So it is with Redemption. Every time we redeem a single person, we are involved with Redemption. If you know  someone who is hungry, go out of your way to feed him. If you know someone who needs a sympathetic ear, listen to  his problems. If you know someone who needs a job, try to help him find one. In this way, you’re doing your share in the
continuing process of Redemption.  Based on this explanation we now understand why we are to be extra careful during this holiday to invite guests to our  sedarim. Since one of the central themes of Pesach is Redemption we show we are a partner with Hashem in this on going process. May we live to see the final redemption soon in our days!

Wishing all of us a chag kosher v’somayach!