As we prepare for Pesach, the thoughts of cleaning, preparing the house, and making everything just right for the holiday can often leave us feeling overwhelmed. There’s the frantic pace of organizing our homes, our schedules, and our hearts. On Rosh Chodesh I went to the beach, a momentary escape amidst the rush, where I took time to tovel my new dishes for Pesach. It was a chance to combine business with pleasure, to be reminded that while we are so busy getting our families ready for the holiday, we cannot forget to get our own souls ready. Pesach is not just about preparing our homes; it’s also about cleaning our hearts, preparing them for the new beginnings that the holiday brings.
This year, with everything happening in our homeland, I feel an even deeper connection to the meaning of the holiday. It’s not just about the historical redemption of our ancestors, but also about the redemption we are living through right now. We are in the midst of a real, full force war. We must see ourselves as though we’ve just come out of Egypt. To see ourselves as if we came out of Gaza, where our brothers and sisters still remain. We must feel as if we were just redeemed just like the hostages who just came out. Not just reenacting a story from the past but living through it again. Just like our ancestors felt the weight of slavery and then tasted the sweetness of freedom, we too are experiencing our own journey of redemption.
Rabbi Ashkenazi gave insights to this beautiful night of Pesach. There are two mitzvot that have always united the Jewish people – the brit milah and the Pesach seder. Rav Ashkenazi shared that these two mitzvot are the ones that all Jews, no matter their background or status, observe. And why? Because Eliyahu HaNavi comes to both of these events. There’s a deep lesson in this. Eliyahu HaNavi once complained to Hashem about the Jewish people, saying that they were not keeping the commandments properly. In response, Hashem said, “Let me show you how my children observe the brit milah and the seder, how they come together year after year to perform these mitzvot with love and devotion.” Eliyahu HaNavi was shown the power of Jewish faith and tradition, reminding us that even in our darkest times, our commitment to our faith shines through.
As we sit at our seders this year, we are not only reliving the past; we are living in the present. We are living through a time when the Jewish people are once again fighting for freedom. Our hearts go out to the hostages held in Gaza, to the families whose loved ones are suffering, and to those who are enduring unimaginable hardship. Yet, we find strength in knowing that we are not alone in this struggle. The redemption that we celebrate at the seder is not just a historical event; it is a living, breathing part of our existence today.
The work that we do now, as we prepare for Pesach, with ourselves and with Hashem let us not forget the children, they too, need our attention. As much as we give to others, let us not forget to be present for them, to help them see the deeper meaning of this holiday.
At the seder table, as we recite the Haggadah, we not only recount our ancestors’ journey from slavery to freedom; we also reflect on our own journey. We are living in a time of great change, and we are part of that change. The struggles of the past are not gone; they are with us, as we continue to face the challenges of today. But as we sit together this Pesach, we are reminded of the strength of our people, the love of Hashem, and the power of our faith. We are free, and we will continue to fight for our freedom, for the safety of our families, and for the return of all our loved ones. Let us remember that there are people who cannot afford to make this seder and buy pretty things for the holidays. Keep them in mind, help others reach out. Make sure that everybody can sit in this holiday and feel like we are the sons of the King.
Pesach is not just a holiday; it’s a reminder of the strength and resilience of the Jewish people. As we prepare our homes and our hearts in this special time, let us remember that our redemption is not just something of the past but something that is happening right now. Let us pray for the safety and release of all the hostages, for the healing of our nation, and for peace to come to our land. May this Pesach be one of true redemption, and may we see the coming of Mashiach.
