From weddings and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs to business functions and lectures, our facility is a great setting and location for your special occasion. BAS Rabbi's Message for March 2010
Are we going to observe Passover this year?
posted February 28, 2010
At first blush, it seems like a rhetorical question. Of course, why wouldn’t we? However, as we all know, there is a great deal of inconvenience in preparing for Passover: time, money, and great effort. The expenditure is large on all accounts. One has to consciously decide to celebrate Passover and to actively engage oneself in following the traditions. It certainly doesn’t just happen of its own accord.
In his book, Torah Today, Pinchas Peli offers a commentary on a verse from the Passover narrative In Exodus 10:26, Moses instructs Pharaoh that all Israelites and even their animals are part of the Exodus: “Our own livestock, too, shall go along with us—not a hoof shall remain behind: for we must select from it for the worship of the Lord our God; and we shall not know with what we are to worship the Lord until we arrive there.”
According to Peli: When it comes to the worship to God, one should not expect to find ready-made formulas. True worship of God requires ever-new wonder and discovery through painful trial and error, ever-new decisions and leaps of faith. “We shall not know with what we are to worship the Lord until we get there.”
What new ideas, insights, and experiences will we bring to the Passover festivities this year? What will we deem appropriate to share with others? Will we be innovative, infusing the seder with some new traditions, a creative reading, for example, or Miriam’s cup? Will we explore the many options available, or perhaps stick to the tried and true beautiful family traditions that are so special and meaningful to our household, or a combination of both?
Openness, inclusivity, and engage- ment are signposts toward a most significant and enjoyable seder.
Rabbi Haim of Sandz, one of the great Hassidic masters who lived a hundred years ago, would train his disciples in the ways of worship of the Lord.
Once he stood at the window of the house of study as his students were passing by: “Come here”, he called over to one of them. “Tell me, if you would happen to come across a wallet full of money on the Sabbath, when a Jew is not allowed to handle money, what would you do? Would you pick it up?”
“Of course not,” the young Hassid rushed to answer. “You fool, you”, the master retorted as he called over another young student. “And you, what would you do in a similar situation? Would you pick up and take the wallet full of money”?
“Oh, yes,” replied the young Hassid, after hearing the reprimand the master bestowed on his friend.
“You sinner, you!” the master scolded the second Hassid and called over a third one; “And what would you do?” he inquired.
The third Hassid, after having listened to the master’s rebuke of the two young Hassidim who preceded him, replied hesitantly, “Well, I do not know. At finding the wallet full of money, I would struggle with myself in deciding whether or not to take it. I hope I would be able to make the right decision.”
“At last we have the real answer,” Reb Haim turned to his disciples.
Truly, “we shall not know with what we are to worship the Lord until we get there.”
May this Passover be a most special and joyous celebration for you, your family, and friends. May we strive to make it so.
Be part of our Second Seder; a musical, fun-filled, informative celebration. Observe Passover in a most special way Tuesday evening, March 30, 6:00 PM.
A wonderful Passover to all,
Rabbi Mark L. Shrager
.........................................................................................................................