Parshat Bo: Creation of Self Mrs. Shira Smiles

The first mitzva in the given to the culminates with anticipation of the future affects. Therefore, Chazal say, “Zrizim Jewish people as a nation was Kiddush Hacho- redemption and the hope of returning to our makdimim l’mitzvot.” One should perform desh. Why this particular mitzva? The land. mitzvot with alacrity, because otherwise Seforno explains that slaves have no clear The second aspect of Kiddush Hachodesh is physical aspects will present themselves to concept of time because their time is not their that we have the ability to rejuvenate and renew prevent one from fulfilling a good deed. The own. A slave is not obligated in time related ourselves, like the moon. Its waxing and problem with more time in Egypt was not the mitzvot because he lacks time consciousness. waning reflects a dimension within us. Just as effects of impurity. It was time itself. At the Only free men, who are in control of their time we sanctify the moon, we must sanctify moment of conception, the Jewish nation had to and can fill it with spirituality, can understand ourselves. The Sefat Emet notes that the rise above nature. The redemption had to be in the essence of time. Sanctification of time and beauty of is that no thirty days can go the blink of an eye so that no physical forces freedom are bound together. Therefore, to by without rejuvenation. Kiddush Hachodesh is would overpower them. mark the Jewish people’s emergence as a our monthly reminder, prompting us to ask The definition of a Jew is Kiddush Hachodesh. liberated nation, they were given the mitzva of ourselves, “Where are we? What have we It is a mitzva that taps into the dimension of time Kiddush Hachodesh. done to transform our lives? How have we and creates newness. The way to create Creation exists in the dimension of time. It become different?” It is the power of change vibrancy is not to caught in the sluggishness continually evolves and reshapes itself. and reflection. Rav Wolfson notes that every of the moment but to grab the opportunity. However, only man can sense the passage of month is connected to Nisan, the first month, Similarly, the difference between chametz and time and appreciate its beauty and whose definition is chidush, renewal. Kiddush matza is a difference of time. Chametz left to significance. There are three dimensions of Hachodesh as the first mitzva tells us that the age will spoil. Matza, in contrast, has staying time: retrospection, anticipation, and apprecia- foundation of all mitzvot is performing good power. Allowing the dimension of time to take tion. Retrospection is when the past becomes deeds with hitchadshut. Our challenge is to affect, means inviting the limited forces of the present. One can relive and retell an experi- take every mitzva and attach it to the first nature into our lives. ence long gone as if it was happening at the mitzva which commands us to grow, change, Judaism is about expressing time. A difference moment. Anticipation is man’s projection of and re-energize our lives. of a few minutes can alter the status of the visions and aspirations into the future. This Rav Tatz asks, Hashem took us out in haste same action. If one studies Jewish law, he can takes us beyond the present and moves us because we were almost at the fiftieth level of become sensitive to a time-conscious relation- forward into a future vision. Appreciation impurity. However, we find that at the culmina- ship with Hashem. How do we tap into the embraces the present as inherently worthy. tion of the exile, the Jews were busy with power of chiddush? The key is the first halachic These three aspects come to the fore on the mitzvot such as and korban Pesach. obligation of a Jew in Shulchan Aruch, Seder night. The first part of the hagada How can we say that they were at such a low “Hitgaber k’ari.” Strengthen yourself like a lion. focuses on retrospection. We are commanded level? The Maharal explains that spirituality is Arising each morning with vigor, like the king of to see ourselves as if we were leaving Egypt. contradicted by unnecessary expansion of beasts, will transform our day into one that is Hallel is a song of appreciation, in which we physical dimension in time and space. If one spiritually elevating and everlasting. rejoice in the present moment. The Seder moves fast one can overcome its stifling

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