Table of Contents Torah Wellsprings - Pesach Don’t Panic ...... 5 It is from Hashem ...... 10 Quarantine ...... 13 Tefillah ...... 15 Shabbos Hagadol ...... 16 Preparations ...... 18 Knowing Hashem ...... 20 A New Pattern for Miracles ...... 22 The Mitzvah of Sipur Yetzias Mitzrayim ...... 24 Kittel ...... 27 29...... יחץ Belief in Hashem, Alone ...... 30 Everything Happens by Hashgachah Pratis ...... 33 Everything is for the Good ...... 36 37 ...... ומורא גדול זה גלוי שכינה An Inherently Special Night ...... 43 Chumros ...... 44 Perspective ...... 47 When a Chumrah Hurts Others ...... 50 Bedikas and Biur Chametz ...... 54 Lessons from the Prohibition of Chametz ...... 58 Lessons from the Matzah ...... 61 Bitul Chametz ...... 65 A Letter from Reb Shamshon Astropoli zt’l hy’d ...... 66 Tefillah ...... 66 74 ...... מה נשתנה Nirtzeh ...... 75 Annual Salvations ...... 79 Discussing the Miracles ...... 81 A Great Eis Ratzon...... 83 87 ...... כאן הבן שואל Shevi’i shel Pesach...... 88 Torah Wellsprings Pesach

This week’s parashah be able to bring a korban (7:12) discusses about the todah, to thank Hashem for korban todah, a korban which the miracles He will we bring to express our perform for them. gratitude to Hashem.

Rashi writes, “…he We are going through brings a sacrifice to thank very trying times, but it is Hashem for a miracle that important to also focus on happened to him. For the good. Not everything is example, he sailed the seas, bad. crossed a desert, was released from prison, or was ill and became well. When a person brought He must praise Hashem, as a korban todah to the Beis HaMikdash to thank יודו ,(it states (Tehillim 107:21 Praise Hashem for the miracles‘ ,לה' חסדו ונפלאותיו לבני אדם Hashem for His kindness Hashem performed for and tell His wonders to him, this didn’t mean his and life was perfect and he‘ ויזבחו זבחי תודה ’.mankind bring the todah sacrifice.’…” didn’t have any troubles at all. But when he brought Due to the coronavirus the korban todah, he focused many people feel imprisoned and on the good. Similarly, quarantined in their homes. even in these times there is There are also many people a lot of good we can focus who need refuos (healing) on. It is important to do so, and yeshuos (salvations) r’l. so that we don’t despair They are looking forward from the hardships we are to the time when they will going through. Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 5

Don’t Panic cholera plague] to frighten you. Hashem is with us. The Be’er HaGolah (end Trust in Hashem and rely ,הבוטח בה' חסד יסובבנו .of Choshen Mishpat) writes, “I on Him think the Torah commands ‘When one trusts in us to protect our lives (as it Hashem, he is surrounded with kindness’ (Tehillim (ונשמרתם מאד לנפשתיכם states because Hakadosh Baruch 32:10)… As I told you before, Hu created the world with when you have on Whom His kindness…so people to rely, there is nothing to will recognize His fear. Therefore, for greatness, serve Him, keep Hashem’s sake, keep your His mitzvos, and study His spirits up. Each person Torah…and to give them a should encourage his good reward for their toil. fellow man… The counsel Someone who puts his life and the protection from in danger it is as if he… this plague, r’l is that you doesn’t want to serve shouldn’t be afraid… Be מסבב ולא Hashem and he doesn’t afraid from the be afraid from the One) מהסיבה want the reward. There is no greater zilzul and who brought the plague, and hefkerus than this.” not from the plague). Keep your emunah and bitachon But, together with our strong, because that is the caution, we must avoid best protection. Don’t stop panic and depression, and saying the pasuk (Yeshayah be confident that Hashem Hashem‘ ,ה' צבאות עמנו ,(51:12 will save us. is with us…’ Hashem will Rebbe Moshe of Kobrin protect you and your zt’l wrote the following children. Dear brothers… letter to his chassidim (Imros don’t fear anything but Moshe, Igros Kodesh 3): Hashem, alone. When you follow this counsel, the “Don’t allow what’s plague won’t harm you… happening at this time [the Hashem’s sole desire is to 6 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach protect you and to save seeing your salvation, in you from all bad, and to ruchniyos (spiritually) and bless you with all goodness. gashmiyos (physically). So I will also pray for you writes the one who is wherever I go. Dear brothers, be healthy, connected to you with a true strong, and happy. Just love that endures forever.” don’t worry. May I merit Signed…1

1. As it is known, the Rambam was the king's personal doctor. Some of the king's high-ranking officials were jealous that a Yid received this honored position, when there were many professional Moslem doctors around.

The king would respond that there is no doctor who has the capabilities and expertise as the Rambam does, but they insisted that there were very proficient Moslem doctors, too.

The king agreed to test it. The Rambam and a renowned Moslem doctor would be the contestants. Each one would give the other one poison to drink, and whoever can heal himself from the poison has proved himself to be the best doctor in the country.

The gentile doctor gave the Rambam the poison first, and the Rambam, with his wisdom, was able to save himself. (He prepared his students with remedies, and they gave it to him and healed him from the poison.)

Now it was the Rambam's turn to poison the gentile doctor. The doctor drank the Rambam's drink, and died a few days later.

The king called for the Rambam and wanted to know what he did to the Moslem doctor. The Rambam said, "Chas veshalom, I didn’t give him poison. I would never do that to a human being. It was water. But the doctor was so afraid, he died from fear."

We can add that the Rambam knew that the doctor could heal himself from the Rambam's poisons, but when the potion was water, and the gentile doctor didn’t know what it was, or what to Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 7

When there are worries will be strong [with simchah and chalilah a pandemic, it and bitachon] you will be is important to strengthen healed.” oneself with simchah And let your joy and (happiness) and Bitachon bitachon be “contagious” so (faith). As the Divrei Shmuel others will also trust in taught (from the song Yedid Hashem, for that is the If you solution in these times.2“ ,אז תתחזק ותתרפא (Nefesh

expect, he became very afraid until he died from fear.

Fear is also poison. It can be more dangerous than the illness and the dangers themselves. 2. The Chofetz Chaim zt'l once said in his drashah that everyone is obligated to give drashos and to speak with people, and to do whatever they can to strengthen Yiddishkeit, which was becoming weak in his time. When the Chofetz Chaim finished the drashah, he heard some people saying, "Someone like the Chofetz Chaim can encourage others, but what can we do?"

The Chofetz Chaim replied with a mashal:

A king once asked his servants for water and they brought him water that wasn't perfectly clean. He shouted at them, "How dare you bring me unclean water? I am the king…"

The next day, there was a fire in the palace, and the king told his servants to put out the fire. It took them a long time until they purified the water. By the time they brought the water, most of the palace burned down. The king rebuked them, "When there's a fire, it doesn’t have to be purified water. Any water is good to put out the fire."

The Chofetz Chaim explained that we are living in a time when there is a fire in the world (because many people were leaving the path of Torah). At such times, one doesn’t wait for the purest drashos and the purest tzaddikim to bring people back to Torah. Everyone 8 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach

It states (Shemos 15:26), onto you.’ However, with a lesson from our ויאמר אם שמוע תשמע לקול ה' אלקיך grandfather, the Baal Shem והישר בעיניו תעשה ... כל המחלה אשר Tov zt’l, this question is שמתי במצרים לא אשים עליך כי אני ה' If you will listen to easily answered. The Baal“ ,רופאיך Hashem, and you do Shem Tov taught that what’s correct in His eyes… Hakadosh Baruch Hu all the diseases that I placed doesn’t send an affliction on Mitzrayim I will not to a person until He firsts .sadness ,מרה שחורה place onto you, because I sends him am Hashem Your healer.” [Sadness is an illness, as] Chazal (Bava Metzia 107:) say, The Degel Machaneh 83 diseases come from sadness, and 83 is the (ד"ה וכל מדוי Efraim (Devarim Ekev .disease ,מחלה writes, “My brother, the gematriya of renowned chassid, Rebbe Because sadness is the root Boruch [of Mezibuz], asks, of all illnesses and all which diseases were in afflictions.”3 דם Mitzrayim? Was makas (plague of blood) a disease? Similarly, the Toldos ד"ה plague of frogs) a Yaakov Yosef (Mishpatim) צפרדע Was writes, “I heard from (ואלה disease? Were the other makos (plagues) diseases? It my teacher [the Baal Shem Tov zt’l] that when Heaven כל מכות ,should have stated ,All wants to punish someone‘ ,אשר שמתי במצרים לא אשים עליך makos that I placed on Heaven takes away his Mitzrayim I will not place bitachon. Therefore, it is

must do their share to put out the fire. 3. Reb Moshe Betzalel zt'l hy'd writes in the name of his father, the Sfas Emes zt'l, "According to the degree one strengthens himself that the matters that distress him shouldn’t distress him and shouldn’t confuse him, so will Hashem remove this distress from him." Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 9 proper to pray before 91, and 100 of Tehillim. שיר של Hashem that you be strong Chapter 91 is called the song of protection ,פגעים ”.with bitachon against mazikim, hazards. For as long as one has As we say in this chapter, Hashem, You“ ,כי אתה ה' מחסי bitachon, and as long as one is happy, nothing bad can are my shield…” and we ,יושב בסתר עליון בצל שד"י יתלונן ,happen to him. say “Someone who sits under At times cities in Eretz Hashem’s protection, and Yisroel need to be enlarged, is always protected by so more people can live Hashem’s shade…” there. Also, sometimes, the courtyard of the Beis The Gemara tells that HaMikdash needs to be Reb Yehoshua ben Levi שיר של פגעים extended. The Mishnah would say the (Shavuos 2:2) teaches the (Tehillim 91) before going to process of how this is done. sleep, for protection. One can’t add onto the (מצוה תקי"ב) limits of a city in Eretz The Chinuch Yisroel, or to lengthen the discusses this Gemara, measurements of the when he discusses the וחבר חבר courtyard (azarah) of the prohibition of Beis HaMikdash, without (Devarim 18:10-11). He means וחבר חבר following this procedure. explains that one may not say a mantra The Mishnah states, which he thinks will protect “We don’t add on to a city him from being bitten by a or on a courtyard, except snake or scorpion, or to with a king, navi, urim chant over a wound, vetumim, sanhedrin of because he thinks that will seventy-one judges, two heal him. korban todahs, and song…” The Gemara (Shavuos 15:) The Chinuch writes, says that the “song” is “Perhaps you will ask me referring to chapters 3, 30, from the Gemara (Shavuos 10 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach

15:) which states that they hint that I created to remind :people to remain optimistic ,שיר של פגעים would say the קיימו is roshei teivos for קורנה song to protect from ,וקבלו היהודים רעדן ווייניגער נייעס mazikim and hazards (Tehillim 91). And they would “We accept on ourselves to ”.So speak less news .(ה' מה רבו צרי ,say (Tehilim 3 we see that chanting these chapters protects a person It is from Hashem from damage and hazards. The Gemara says that Reb Throughout this trying Yehoshua ben Levi would time, it is important to say these pesukim before remember that it is from going to sleep.” Hashem. It didn’t happen The Chinuch replies, by chance, and it isn’t “Chalilah, this isn’t the because of someone’s ,negligence, etc. Ultimately …חובר חבר prohibition of Rather saying these everything that is chapters rouses a person’s happening was decreed trust in Hashem, and from Above. causes him to rely on His The Mabit (Beis Elokim, kindness, and thereby, he Shaar HaTefillah ch.16) writes, will certainly be protected “In galus (exile), one must from all hazards.” remember that whatever So, it isn’t mantras that happens to him – from the are saving him, but bitachon, minor matters, like stubbing which is increased when one’s toe to the major he says these chapters. afflictions, until one dies– they are all from Hashem. Last week we wrote Hashem has more from the Lechovitzer that hashgachah pratis (divine when there’s plague, one providence) over us during shouldn’t listen to the galus than when we lived news, because it makes on our Land and had our him sad. I’ll add a little kingdom. The difference is Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 11 that now the hashgachah is the plague of Peor…the concealed – due to our sins. plague was for one day And because of the only and Pinchas stopped concealment, there are it. That day, 24,000 people sinners among us who died. By the machlokes have doubts and ask that (dispute) of Korach, Aharon perhaps it wasn’t from stopped the mageifah Hashem. (plague) the day it began… 14,700 people died from “The plague today is that plague. Also, by the different in several ways plague in Dovid’s time from the plagues that took (Shmuel 2, 31)… 77,000 people place when the Jewish died, all in one day. That’s nation was under Hashem’s how diseases used to be. kingship in Eretz Yisroel They didn’t follow the laws [and Hashem’s hashgachah of nature, since no one was revealed]. For example, became ill [preceding the consider the plague that deaths]. But in plagues of came because of the sins of today, a person falls ill… Peor (see Bamidbar 25), and and he lives some days in consider the plague in his illness.” Dovid HaMelech’s times The Mabit also notes (see Shmuel 2, 31). It was how in the past, only the noticeable that the plagues people who deserved came as a punishment for punishment got the plague, their sins. When they did while the plagues of the teshuvah, Hashem had Mabit’s time affected compassion on them [and everyone, even children. the plagues ended]. The plagues in those eras were “It is proper that we supernatural, because give a reason for these people died immediately, differences. I say it is without first becoming ill. because the Shechinah [Thousands of people (presence of Hashem) resided by would die in one day.] By Bnei Yisroel – due to the 12 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach

Mishkan, Beis HaMikdash, other examples, too many Eretz Yisroel, and to count. And it is all Yerushalaim. Hashem’s because Hashem promised והייתם לי סגולה מכל העמים... ,providence over the Jewish them You will‘ ,ממלכת כהנים וגוי קדוש nation was revealed before all. The entire world saw be My treasure among all the miracles and wonders nations… A nation of Hashem performed for priests, a holy nation…’ them when He took them Due to Hashem’s out of Mitzrayim, and then providence over them, He into the desert, and would punish them afterwards when he immediately when they brought them into Eretz sinned. And it was obvious Yisroel, and again when that it was punishment for they were exiled to Bavel. their sins, so they could do Everyone who saw them teshuvah… If someone knew that they were didn’t sin, nothing bad Hashem’s blessed nation. happened to him… When they did teshuvah, the tzarah “There were also (affliction) left them. ‘constant miracles’ that Hashem performed for this “However, ever since nation. For example (Shemos the Shechinah left us, due to No our sins, this hashgachah‘ ,ולא יחמוד איש את ארצך ,(34 one will desire your land’ isn’t as revealed anymore. [and steal your property Now the rewards and the when you leave to go to punishments are concealed. Yerushalaim for the The rewards and the holidays]. The fruits of punishments come in ways Eretz Yisroel were special that leave room for the in many ways. There were stubborn person to think also ten continuous that it is natural. This is miracles that occurred in how it is today: Plagues the Beis HaMikdash (see come in gradually, and Avos 5:5). There are many some of the people smitten Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 13 by the plague become the hashgachah pratis was better, and the plague very clear. When Hakadosh doesn’t begin immediately Baruch Hu wanted to rouse after they committed a people to teshuvah, he sin… This causes some to brought a plague. No harm think it isn’t from Hashem. would befall those who But the wise and the didn’t sin. When someone thinking person did teshuvah, the disease understands that left him. But in our times everything that happens to Hashem’s hashgachah isn’t us in exile – for the revealed. Plagues come in individual and for the ways that appear natural, community – is all caused like a contagious disease and controlled by Hashem’s that passes from one person to the next. The wise עושה ,hashgachah. As it states Hashem recognize that everything‘ ,נפלאות גדולות לבדו does great wonders, alone’ that happens to us in galus because [only Hashem is all Hashem’s providence. knows of the wonders He performs] and the person, Quarantine to whom the wonder happens, isn’t aware of it The Gemara (Bava Metzia (Midrash Tehillim 136). If a 36:) states, “What difference person will think about does it make for the malach everything that happened hamaves, (angel of death) here to the Jewish nation or there?” If it was destined throughout the exile – for that someone will die, no the individual and for the matter where he is, the community – he will malach hamaves can find recognize Hashem’s him. providence in them.” The Mabit writes that In review, in past times, nevertheless, there is a the Shechinah resided benefit in running away among Bnei Yisroel and from troubles (which is what 14 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach people used to do when there remained alone. Hakadosh was a plague). Baruch Hu said to it, ‘You aren’t alone. I will be at The Mabit explains that your right side and I will the self-imposed exile of play with you.’ As it states לוויתן זה יצרת ,(running away is an (Tehillim 104:26 This levyason, You“ ,לשחק בו affliction, which atones. So even if it was decreed that created, to play with it.” he will die, he can be Similarly, we say to those granted life because his who have to be alone, “You sins were atoned for. aren’t alone. The Creator of the world is with you to We repeat this to keep you happy.” encourage those who have to be in quarantine. It definitely is not a pleasant It states (Tehillim 31:8-10), אגילה ואשמחה בחסדך אשר ראית את experience, but accept I rejoice“ ,...עניי ידעת בצרות נפשי ,Hashem’s decree with love because it might be that in Your kindness, because this temporary You saw my afflictions and uncomfortable situation is You know the distress of the yesurim (suffering) that my soul…” It seems that will save you from much Dovid HaMelech is praising worse, chalilah. Hashem for saving him from his troubles. But if The Gemara (Bava Basra that is the correct 74:) states, “Hakadosh translation, the following Baruch Hu created the words of this chapter are levyasan, male and female. difficult. Because two When He saw the world pesukim afterwards, it Have“ חנני ה' כי צר לי ,won’t exist [if these giant states animals have offspring] compassion on me, Hashem killed the female Hashem, because I am levyasan and preserved it suffering.” It seems that he for tzaddikim of the is still suffering, and he future…. The male livyasan wasn’t saved yet. Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 15

The Nesivos Shalom Teϔillah answers that the first The Naom Megadim אשר ראית את עניי ידעת ,praise is praising Hashem tells the following ,בצרות נפשי for seeing me, and for mashal(parable): There was knowing what I am going once a person who was talking to a king. It was his through. That in itself is a first time in the palace, and great comfort. Then Dovid he was mesmerized by its requests that he be totally beauty and majesty. While freed from his yesurim.4 the king was talking to

4. Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk zt'l and Rebbe Zusha of Honipoli were once locked in a prison cell. Rebbe Elimelech was very upset, because there was a smelly bucket in the room, used as a toiled, and he couldn’t say a word of Torah or tefillah. Rebbe Zusha told him, "My dear brother, why are you upset? Hashem granted us the opportunity to perform the rare mitzvah of not studying Torah and not davening at a place where it is forbidden. It would be proper to dance, because we have the merit to do this rare mitzvah."

They started to dance around the bucket. The guard came quickly, and demanded to know why they were so happy. They didn’t answer; they just continued dancing around the bucket. The guard said, "Oh, so the bucket is making you happy!" and he took it away from them.

Now they were able to daven and learn.

Presently, many communities aren't able to daven with a minyan, they aren't able to celebrate simchos with their entire family, the children can't go to cheder, etc. To some extent, everyone is in quarantine. Yet, we can be happy in these times, when we remember that Hashem has given us a rare opportunity to perform to guard our lives, and to guard ,ונשמרתם מאד לנפשתיכם the mitzvah of the lives of others. Let's accept this situation with joy, because this is the test that Hashem chose for us, today. 16 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach him, he was busy observing Shabbos Hagadol the decorated walls and elaborate chandeliers, etc. This Shabbos is called The great“ ,שבת הגדול Shabbos” because it The king then hit him commemorates a great on the head with his staff miracle. to get his attention. The Tur (430) writes, If the man is foolish, he “The Shabbos before שבת הגדול ,will run away. But if he is Pesach is called great ,נס גדול wise, he will understand because a that the king wants his miracle, happened on that attention and that the king day.” wants to speak to him, and that is a wonderful honor. The Tur explains that in Mitzrayim, on this Shabbos, all the Yidden bought a The nimshal is, if one sheep and bound it to their doesn’t speak to Hashem, bedpost. The Mitzrim Hashem might punish him (Egyptians) asked them, to get his attention. The “What are you doing with King wants you to this animal?” They were communicate with Him, concerned, because they and that is the greatest worshipped the sheep. It honor. was their avodah zarah. The Yidden replied, “Hashem This is hinted at in the commanded us to slaughter fortunate is it for a korban Pesach. The ,אשרי העם ,pasuk ,who Mitzrim were very upset ,יודעי תרועה ,the nation knows that even when but they didn’t say ,bad, it is anything. The Tur writes ,רעה matters are The teeth of the Egyptians“ ה' באור פניך ,also very good because the (שיניהם קהות) because this directs hurt ,יהלכון them to turn and look at Jewish people would be Hashem’s face. slaughtering their god, but Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 17 they didn’t have permission for all generations on to say anything. For this Shabbos, and they called miracle, the Shabbos is the Shabbos Shabbos ”…HaGadol ”.שבת הגדול called

Tosfos (Shabbos 87: quoting Others explain that this a Midrash) states a different Shabbos is called Shabbos miracle that occurred on HaGadol in anticipation ,יום ה' הגדול והנורא that Shabbos. “When they for the bought the korban on Hashem’s great and Shabbos, the firstborns of awesome day, when the nations of the world Moshiach will come. As it הנה אנכי ,(gathered in front of the states (Malachi 3:24 שולח לכם את אליהו הנביא לפני בוא יום ,Jewish people and asked Behold I will“ ,ה' הגדול והנורא ’?Why are you doing this‘ They replied, ‘This is a send you Eliyahu HaNavi korban Pesach for Hashem, before Hashem’s great and because He will kill all the awesome day arrives.” firstborns.’ The firstborns went to their parents, and The Chidushei HaRim to Pharaoh, pleading that zt’l taught that just as the they release the Jewish 10th of Tishrei (Yom Kippur) people, but they refused. atones for all sins, similarly, The firstborns declared war Shabbos HaGadol (which and killed many Egyptians. commemorates the miracles of This is the meaning of the the 10th of Nisan) also atones To for all of one’s sins. It is‘ ,למכה מצרים בבכוריהם ,pasuk smite the Egyptians by the called Shabbos HaGadol, firstborns’ (Tehillim 136:10).” the great Shabbos, just as Yom Kippur is called Yoma On this Shabbos we Rabba, the great day. commemorate this miracle. As the Shulchan HaRav To express the concludes, “They specialness of this Shabbos, established that this miracle the Ohev Yisroel zt’l (Likutei should be commemorated Na’ch, Shabbos HaGadol) writes, 18 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach

“The origin and the Pesach. He explained, “Reb fountain of all Shabbosim Yehoshua of Kroli zt’l said of the year comes from two if one doesn’t attain ruach Shabbosim: from Shabbos hakadosh at the Seder, he HaGadol and Shabbos isn’t a human being.5 Teshuvah. They are the Therefore, we must prepare heads of all the Shabbosim for it. I prefer to discuss throughout the year.” financial issues after Pesach…” May we merit keeping this Shabbos with joy, and The Avodas Yisroel zt’l (ד"ה בגמרא ,then its influence will be (Shabbos HaGadol felt on Pesach, and writes, “All other holidays throughout all Shabbosim [Succos, Shavuos, and so of the year. And may we on], the holiness of the holiday doesn’t come to ,יום ה' הגדול והנורא merit the Hashem’s great and the person all at once. One awesome day of the draws the holiness out of redemption, speedily in the yom tov gradually via our days, Amen. the tefillos Maariv, Shacharis and Minchah. But on Pesach, the kedushah of the Preparations yom tov comes to us at once. That’s the reason it’s called which literally means ,פסח Once, at the start of Nisan, the directors of the to jump [because one jumps Satmar institutions came to right into the peak of the the Satmar Rebbe zt’l to kedushah of the yom tov]. discuss financial matters. The Satmar Rebbe asked It follows that Pesach them to come back after needs preparation. A bright

5. Some say that Reb Yehoshua of Kroli said, "If one doesn’t have giluy Eliyahu at the Seder and on Yom Kippur it’s a sign his forefathers weren't at Har Sinai." Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 19 spiritual light will come to be pure in order to down to us and one needs receive this bright light.”6

symbolizes the yetzer חמץ" ,The Avodas Yisroel zt'l concludes .6 hara. We destroy the chametz (the yetzer hara) on erev Pesach, so we can receive the great holiness that is revealed on the night of Pesach…”

The Gemara (Beitzah 2) says, "If an egg was laid today, that is an indication that its shell was completed yesterday. The Imrei Emes Seder) קערה zt'l says that this is the reason we place an egg on the plate). The egg is a reminder that whatever happens tonight, at the Seder, was completed and prepared earlier. The amount of kedushah one receives is dependent on how much one prepared.

There was once a baalebusta who didn’t know how to make cholent, so when she saw an advertisement for a Shabbos cooking course called "Cholent ‘N’ More" she immediately signed up. After several months of studying, she graduated, and even received a diploma, stating that she is an expert, and is capable of making a delicious cholent.

That Shabbos, she told her husband that she will make the cholent, using the ingredients and tricks she learned. On Shabbos morning, however, there was a bad odor coming from the kitchen. The cholent spoiled, and the food was inedible.

She called her teacher on motzei Shabbos to find out what went wrong. Her teacher asked a few questions, but it seemed that her graduated pupil did everything right. Then the teacher asked, "Did you clean the pot before you began?"

She remembered that she didn’t, and whatever was in the pot before she began cooking, ruined the taste of her cooking. Pesach is approaching and we hope to receive the many blessings that this yom tov offers. But we must first clean and purify ourselves so we can receive the great light of the yom tov. If the "utensil" isn't clean, the final product won't turn out right. 20 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach

Knowing Hashem will respond with a resounding “yes.” But emunah has many levels. Yirmiyahu HaNavi says The emunah of the Yidden ,ותופשי התורה לא ידעוני ,(2:8) in Mitzrayim didn’t reach “Those who study Torah the level of daas, didn’t know Me.” Yeshayah “knowledge.” It wasn’t as ,ישראל לאידע ,(HaNavi says (1:3 clear to them as the matters “The Jewish nation didn’t they saw with their eyes. know [Me].” Similarly, the Our goal is to attain emunah Arizal says that in that is as clear and certain Mitzrayim, the Jewish to us as the things we nation didn’t know witness with our eyes. Hashem. The Chareidim (ch.1) clarifies that these We accomplish this by sources don’t mean that speaking about emunah, they didn’t know Hashem and by reviewing emunah. at all. “Even an am ha’aretz (ignorant person) knows As the Lechovitzer zt’l I believe in האמנתי ,Hashem. “If you ask him if said because I ,כי אדבר ,he believes in Hashem, he Hashem

People call a fool, "the chacham from the Mah Nishtanah," the chacham of the Hagaddah.

The Satmar Rebbe zt'l asked, "Why do we call a fool this way? The chacham of the Mah Nishtanah asks wise questions! It would be ".from the Mah Nishtanah תם more appropriate to call him "the

The answer is, the chacham comes on the Seder night and asks wise questions, but where was he until now? Didn’t he see everyone cleaning for Pesach, buying matzah, and so on? Why didn’t he ask his questions then? Why did he wake up only now? Ay, the chacham from the Mah Nishtanah isn’t very wise after all.

Let’s not be that chacham. Let's prepare ourselves for these holy days now. Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 21 speak about emunah (Tehillim spirit immediately turned 116:10). its face to the wall, explaining that he doesn’t The Baal HaTanya says have permission to look at .of Shema the Shechinah אחד of ד' that the is large, and it looks like a large hammer. This implies Reb Chaim Vital asked that one must hammer the spirit why he had into his permission to afflict this ה' אחד emunah of head.7 woman. The Chida zt’l says that The spirit replied, “This we should tell the following woman woke up early in story at the Seder: the morning and was A woman in Tzefas was striking flint stones to make plagued by a dibuk (spirit). a fire, but she wasn’t The Arizal sent his student, succeeding. She became Reb Chaim Vital, to heal frustrated and shouted, her. ‘Let it be for the Satan,’ and with those words, I had When Reb Chaim Vital permission to enter her as came into the room, the a dibuk.”

7. The Sar Shalom of Belz zt'l said to his grandson, Rebbe Yissachar Dov of Belz zt'l, "Eliyahu HaNavi comes to the Seder of every Yid, and there are tzaddikim who see him." The Sar Shalom raised his head to heaven and said, "But an even higher level is to believe that Eliyahu comes to our homes."

The following story demonstrates this point:

the Noda BeYehudah would escort Eliyahu ,שפך חמתך After saying HaNavi z'l, out of his house, and walk with him down the stairs in front of his home. The Chidushei HaRim said that the Noda b'Yehuda didn’t actually see Eliyahu Hanavi but he believed that he was there, and believing is greater than giluy Eliyahu. 22 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach

Rav Chaim asked, “You is to attain a greater level were permitted to afflict of emunah. her just because of that sin?” The purpose of the mitzvah of sipur yetzias The spirit replied, “It is Mitzrayim (telling over the because this woman isn’t story of yetzias Mitzrayim) is to as she appears on the help us increase our belief, outside. She doesn’t believe so that our emunah in yetzias in yetzias Mitzrayim. At the Mitzrayim should reach the Seder, when Yidden say level of daas, knowledge of Hallel and tell the story of Hashem. yetzias Mitzrayim with happiness, she thinks it’s a A New Pattern for joke. She thinks the miracles Miracles never occurred.” The Rishonim teach Rav Chaim asked the that, as a rule, Hashem woman, “Do you believe to minimize ,למעט הנס wants that HaKadosh Baruch Hu miracles. For example, took us out of Mitzrayim Noach’s teivah (ark) didn’t and split the sea for us?” have enough room for all “I believe, and if the animals. It was a occasionally I have other miracle that they all fit in. thoughts, I regret them So why did Hashem totally.” And she began to command Noach to build a cry. large teivah (300 amos long, 50 amos wide, 30 amos high)? Why After she said this, Reb couldn’t Noach build a Chaim Vital was able to small teivah, and then the banish the spirit from her. miracle would have been much greater when all the There are many levels animals found room in the of belief in Hashem and in teivah? The answer is that yetzias Mitzrayim. Our goal Hashem wants to conceal Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 23

His miracles, so that they performs is to save the won’t be so noticeable. Jewish nation. When that’s the purpose, there is a But when we consider principle that Hashem the miracles of yetzias wants to minimize the Mitzrayim, we notice a miracles. But by yetzias different pattern. Hashem Mitzrayim, the purpose was sought to increase the that everyone should miracles. Hashem could recognize and know have redeemed them from Hashem. Being that the Mitzrayim with one makah, purpose was to draw but Hashem performed ten awareness, then the more makos. Why didn’t Hashem miracles the better. Each minimize the miracles, as miracle increased our He usually does? awareness that Hashem created and runs the world. The Dubno Magid zt’l answers with an analogy: The Pri HaAretz (beginning of parashas Bo) adds A bakery places its most that this is the reason attractive baked goods in Hashem hardened the show case. The baked Pharaoh’s heart. If the goal goods that are for sale was to free the nation it aren’t as beautiful. This is wasn’t necessary to harden because the baked goods in Pharaoh’s heart. But when למען תספר שמי ,the window and the baked the purpose is so the entire world ,בכל הארץ goods on the shelves serve two different purposes. will know about Hashem The baked goods on the and His wonders, it was shelves are for necessary to harden consumption, whereas the Pharaoh’s heart, so that baked goods in the window more miracles could take are to draw consumers. place. Generally, the purpose It is always good to of the miracles that Hashem discuss the miracles that 24 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach

Hashem performs. The Mitzvah of Sipur However, it is particularly Yetzias Mitzrayim important to tell the story Before magid, when we of yetzias Mitzrayim, tell the story of yetzias because the purpose of the Mitzrayim, some people miracles of yetzias Mitzrayim read the following section is to teach us emunah. from the Zohar: Through these discussions we acquire a heightened “Every person who tells and improved emunah. the story of yetzias Mitzrayim and is happy with it will be happy with the Shechinah The difference between in the Olam HaBa (world to a segulah and a refuah is come) – which is the greatest that a refuah is a remedy joy of all. He is happy with that can be explained his Master, and Hakadosh scientifically. A segulah is a Baruch Hu is happy with remedy that doesn’t have a the story he tells. Hakadosh logical explanation. It is Baruch Hu gathers all the just a fact that this segulah malachim of heaven and helps and heals. The Yesod says, ‘Come and listen to HaAvodah zt’l says that My praise that My children speaking about yetzias are telling. They are happy with My redemption!’ The Mitzrayim is mesugal for malachim listen and see that emunah. This means that it they are happy with the isn’t solely logical – that by redemption… The malachim talking about yetzias praise Hakadosh Baruch Mitzrayim one will believe Hu for the miracles and for in Hashem more. It is also His holy nation that He has a segulah. In ways that we on earth, who are happy can’t explain, and in ways with His redemption… that we can explain, Thereby, Bnei Yisroel give speaking about yetzias strength to their Master, Mitzrayim increases emunah. just as a king’s power Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 25 increases when his subjects There are commentaries praise him and express who say that the mitzvah isn’t just at the והגדת לבנך their gratitude to him... of Therefore, we must praise Seder. Whenever a child Hashem and tell this story... asks his father a question If a person will ask, why related to yetzias Mitzrayim, do we have this mitzvah? the father has the mitzvah to teach him about ,והגדת לבנך The answer is] of course] one must retell all of yetzias Mitzrayim. But we Hashem’s miracles. His strive to have the children words go up to heaven and ask questions about yetzias all the angels gather and Mitzrayim at the Seder, praise Hakadosh Baruch because this night is mesugal Hu. This brings honor to for teaching emunah. Hashem above and below. The Ohev Yisroel ”.ברוך ה‘ לעולם אמן ואמן explains that on the Seder The Yesod Yosef (85) night the message of writes, “Whoever says emunah will be engraved the…Haggadah with clearly in the child’s heart happiness, without any and mind, in a way that anger, without laziness, can’t be achieved any other and without feeling that day of the year. Therefore, it’s a chore, chas veshalom… the Mishnah (Pesachim 10:4) If“ ,ואם אין דעת אביו מלמדו ,the Shechinah spreads out says its wings on him to save the child isn’t wise enough him in all places and in all to ask questions, his father travels, and he merits should teach him to ask miracles...”8 questions.” We want the

8. The Chasam Sofer (Drashos vol.2 p.252.) writes, "We are guaranteed that even in this bitter exile, when we sit and tell the story of yetzias Mitzrayim to our children to implant in them yiras Hashem, Hashem's kindness is on us, as it was when we left Mitzrayim." 26 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach child to ask questions, to Mitzrayim. But the rest of obligate us with the the year, when there’s on this darkness in the world, the והגדת לבנך mitzvah of night when emunah makes son isn’t able to take in the such a strong impression father’s words and truly on the children. believe them.” Every year, at the Seder, The Ohev Yisroel writes, Reb Yaakov Yosef Weiss z’l “The truth is, even if the from Manchester would child asks his father these tell his family how he was questions other times saved in the Holocaust. during the year, the father This is his story: must also answer him… Nevertheless, the holy “I was sent to the camps Torah teaches us that together with a close throughout the year, even childhood friend. I if you tell your son the encouraged him to trust story of yetzias Mitzrayim, that Hashem will save us, the words will not settle in but he wasn’t able to accept his heart. Therefore the… such words. לא אמרתי ,Haggadah teaches One day, the Germans .אלא בשעה שיש מצה ומרור מונחים לפניך This means on the night of announced that it was our Pesach, when the mind is turn to go to the showers. open for understanding... We knew that this meant the light of wisdom is the gas chambers. My revealed, and emunah and friend bitterly asked me, bitachon hovers over all ‘What do you say now?’ Jewish people, at this time, “I replied, ‘Chazal say, when you will answer your even if a sharp sword is son and you will tell him resting on one’s neck, he the entire story, the father’s shouldn’t lose hope.’ words will certainly enter the son’s ears, and he will “The Nazis pushed us truly believe in yetzias into the gas chambers, but Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 27 the doors didn’t close. The Tur (115) explains There were so many people. that we are saying, I was near the door, so a “Hashem, You are our Nazi pulled me out. That Father, and a father is saved my life…” obligated to teach his children Torah. Therefore, Reb Yaakov Yosef Weiss like a father, open our would repeat this story hearts and teach us Torah.” each Seder night, and he Rebbe Yissacher Dov of said he received his strong Belz zt’l said that this also emunah from his father who happens at the Seder. would strengthen their Hashem keeps the entire emunah at the Seder. Torah, including the to tell ,והגדת לבנך mitzvah of At the Seder we have our children the story of to yetzias Mitzrayim. We are ,והגדת לבנך the mitzvah of tell our children the Hashem’s children, so at miracles that occurred at the Seder, Hashem teaches the time of yetzias Mitzrayim. us emunah. He opens our This is our annual time for hearts to grasp the transmitting emunah to the wonderful miracles that next generation, and due to occurred. And when the holiness of the night Hashem is the teacher, we and the holiness of the will surely perceive the mitzvah, our words have a lessons very well. deep effect on our children’s neshamos. Kittel

In Shemonah Esrei we The head of the family Return customarily wears a kittel“ ,השיבנו אבינו לתורתך ,say us, our Father, to Your at the Seder, because it Torah.” Why do we call resembles shrouds. The Hashem, “Father,” in this Chasan Sofer zt’l explains brachah? that this is to remind him 28 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach that there will be a time important, and they should when he will be dressed in take it to heart. shrouds, and then he won’t be able to teach his children Rebbe Shmelke of about yetzias Mitzrayim and Nickelsburg zt’l said that if belief in Hashem. He a niftar would come down should take advantage of from heaven to this world the Seder night to teach for only a few moments, he them the fundamentals of will certainly use his time emunah, for if not now, well. He wouldn’t squander when?9 those few moments idly and waste them. This Reb Shimon Shwab zt’l explains why we wear a said that children don’t kittel for the Seder. It is to always take their father’s help the head of family messages seriously. They imagine that he was think, “He’s just saying it, dressed in shrouds, buried but he doesn’t really mean in the ground and came it.” However, when the back to the world for a father is about to die, then short time, to perform the the children know that Seder. After imagining everything the father says something like that he will is very important. Fathers utilize the time well. wear a kittel at the Seder, clothes resembling shrouds, The Maharal (Hagaddah (ענין לבישת הקיטל ,so the children should shel Pesach understand that everything compares the kittel to the the father is telling them white clothes that the Kohen about emunah, etc. is very gadol (High Priest) wore on

9. After the Beis Yisroel of Gur's zy’a Seder, when he was taking off his kittel he said, "Earlier tonight, we put the kittel on and now we’re taking it off. There will come a time when we’ll wear a kittel and never take it off…" Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 29

Yom Kippur, when he good deeds in front of entered the kodesh kadoshim. them, so they can learn from you. Taking this a step ,והגדת לבנך ,further, we can understand On the words ,ותחוי לבנך ,that when we perform the Onkelus writes Seder, it is like we are “Show your children.” It is entering the kodesh a night when the parents kadoshim.10 show their qualities to their children so they can learn .from their ways יחץ

Rebbe Meir of Djikev This idea is alluded to zy’a (Imrei No’am) says that a with yachatz. We hide and parent shouldn’t conceal put away the larger half of his good deeds from his the matzah. This implies children, so that they can that we should be humble learn from him. This is the and conceal most of our meaning of the pasuk good deeds. But the most children search and find ,מה רב טובך ,(Tehillim 31:20) the afikomon. This is because אשר צפנת ,of your good deeds you should conceal. on the Seder night, when , ליראיך but for those we instill emunah into the , פעלת לחוסים בך who rely on you – your children, it is proper to do your reveal even that half, which , נגד בני אדם ,children

, שלום עליכםWhen the Seder is on Friday night, some don’t say .10 the song that greets the Malachim, before Kiddush. One of the explanations for this is because at the Seder it is like we are in the וכל אדם לא יהיה באהל ,(kodesh kadoshim, about which it states, (Vayikra 16:17 No man may be in the Ohel Mo’ed when the“ ,מועד בבאו לכפר בקדש cohen gadol enters the kodesh kadoshim…” The Yerushalmi (Yoma 5:2) שלום עליכם adds that even malachim may not be there. We don't sing at the Seder because the house receives a holiness similar to the .and the malachim cannot remain with us for the Seder קדש קדשים 30 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach is generally concealed, so For example, when the children can learn from someone asks him, “How their parents.11 will you manage your upcoming expenses?” he Belief in Hashem, Alone replies, “Hashem will help. Also, I plan to do this, and We say in the Haggadah, I plan to do that…” This ,person believes in Hashem כנגד ארבע בנים דברה תורה: אחד חכם but not exclusively. It is .ואחד רשע also Hashem. It isn’t ,ואחד אחד .exclusively Hashem ,אחד Notice that it states by the chacham (wise one) in means that when אחד חכם stated by ואחד contrast to the rasha (wicked one). The one trusts in Hashem alone, he is wise. But when one ואחד רשע in וא“וadded that he trusts in ואחד indicates that the rasha of says the Haggadah believes in Hashem and also in the One Hashem, but he something else he is called also believes in something rasha. His bitachon isn’t else. complete.12

11. We put aside the larger half of the matzah for later. The Sfas Emes zt'l (5652) teaches that this implies that the inspiration and growth of this night will remain for the rest of the year. 12. Consider the following mashal: Witnesses and evidence pointed towards the guilt of someone accused of murder. The defense attorney said, “My client didn’t commit the crime. The true murderer will be coming into the courtroom in less than five minutes and he will admit in front of the judge and jury that he committed the crime.”

The jury, the judge, the witnesses, and everyone in the courtroom, kept looking towards the door to see who would come in and admit that he committed the crime. But five minutes passed, and Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 31

The Maharal (Gevuras proper that this korban be Hashem 60) writes, “All the divided into sections… mitzvos of the korban pesach Something that’s cut into ...oneness… sections isn’t one ,אחדות are about Everything about this על כרעיו ועל קרבו [It states] (Shemos 12:9) [and Rashi korban is about oneness. writes, ‘Roast it all at once: ,בבית אחד יאכל ,its head together with its “It states feet together with its ‘You shall eat it in one innards…’] because it isn’t house’ (12:46). The korban

then ten, and the doors remained closed.

The judge said to the defense attorney, "Why did you lie to us? No one is coming, and you knew that."

"That’s true,” the defense attorney said, “however, what happened in this courtroom these past ten minutes proves that the witnesses are false. As you saw, everyone in this courtroom was looking towards the door, including the witnesses who claimed my client committed the crime. Now, if they witnessed the murder and are certain that my client committed the crime, why were they interested to know who would come in? It should be obvious to them that no one is coming in. Why were the witnesses looking towards the door? That's my proof that they are false witnesses…"

However, the judge reached an opposite conclusion. He said, "It’s true, everyone was looking to the door, including the witnesses, but I noticed that the accused didn’t look towards the door, even once. It's obvious that he committed the crime, and he knew that no one was coming.”

The nimshal is, when one believes that Hashem is the source for parnassah, and for all one’s needs, he won't be looking around to see who can help him. He will do hishtadlus, because that is everyone's obligation, but he knows that Hashem alone is helping him, and no one else. There is no reason to look elsewhere for help. 32 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach can’t be divided and roasting the meat takes out eaten…in two different its juices, and the meat places (see Pesachim 86.). This becomes firm and solid. [It demonstrates oneness. becomes ‘one’ by roasting it]… This also explains שה תמים בן ,And it states“ A perfect sheep, one why it can’t be semi-roasted‘ ,שנה Roasted meat .(נא) year old…’ (12:5). It must be ‘one’ in years, too. If it was demonstrates oneness, and two years old, it wouldn’t it is proper that the korban be one… should be one for the One …goat or Hashem) שהSpecifically a“ sheep) is sacrificed, and not עצם ,Similarly, it states“ ,שה calf, because a ,עגל an Don’t break the‘ ,לא תשברו בו due to its delicate nature is totally one. As Chazal say… bones,’ for this would be ‘When a sheep injures one limb, its entire body feels dividing it… In short, the it…’ The explanation is, a korban pesach should be is very delicate; it doesn’t whole because it is to teach שה have a heavy nature like us that Hashem is One. The oxen… Therefore, when Jewish nation has this one of its limbs is injured, mitzvah because Hashem the entire sheep feels the is One and therefore, He pain… [ this makes it ‘one’]. chose the Jewish nation, ”...who is one אל תאכלו ,And, it states“ ,ממנו נא ובשל מבושל כי אם צלי אש ’Don’t eat it half-baked or The lesson of the korban cooked. Only roasted on Pesach is that Hashem is the fire…’ (12:9) … This is ,one. For our subject ,אחד because when something is cooked in water or in any this means we should turn other liquid, the meat to Him alone, and trust particles separate. But solely in Him. Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 33

Everything Happens by – and that is the true order Hashgachah Pratis of the world. The first Ani Maamin This night is called אני מאמין באמונה שלימה ,states Seder, order. But are we שהבורא יתברך שמו הוא ... עָשָׂה וְעוֹשֶׂה commemorating something I believe“ ,וְיַעֲשֶׂה לכל המעשים that is in order, or with complete faith that something totally out of the Creator, blessed be His order? Aren’t the miracles name…did, does, and will that occurred totally distant do all deeds.” The top from the order of how the matzah represents our world is generally run? that everything - עָשָׂה belief in that happened in the past However, when we was from Hashem. The know that everything middle matzah represents happens through hashgachah that everything - עוֹשֶׂה pratis, there is no difference happening now is according between miraculous times to His will. The bottom and natural times. They are matzah represents our both expressions of the everything—יַעֲשֶׂה belief in “order” that Hashem that will happen in the chooses. At the Seder we future will be from Hashem. become aware that nature We break the middle isn’t the order of the world, matzah because it is hardest Hashem’s will is. for us to believe that even the present, that everything Matzos are round, to that is happening now is symbolize a cycle, an order completely Hashem’s (see Rashi on Bereishis 25:30). By decree. we break the round יחץ matzah to remind ourselves In the Haggadah it וירעו אתנו המצרים כמה ,that things don’t just run states שנאמר... וישמע ה‘ את קולנו כמה .on their own cycle שנאמר... ויוציאנו... ביד חזקה... כמה Everything runs only The Mitzrim“ ,...שנאמר through Hashem’s decree 34 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach afflicted us, as it says… redeemed you when the Hashem heard our prayers, weather was comfortable as it says… Hashem took [for travel]; when it wasn’t us out of Mitzrayim…with too hot and it wasn’t too an outstretched arm, as it cold, and there was no says…” rain.”

The Chidushei HaRim It seems odd that the zt’l translates this paragraph weather should be as follows: “The Mitzrim mentioned. The joy of the ;redemption was so great ,כמה שנאמר ,afflicted us because Hashem decreed did the Yidden really care it. We went out of about the weather? ,כמה שנאמר ,Mitzrayim To understand the ques- because Hashem decreed tion, imagine that a Holo- it.” Everything happens by caust survivor told you Hashem’s decree. The that he jumped out the hardships and the window of a moving train. salvations, the great The train was headed to- matters, and the seemingly wards the concentration trivial matters, they are all camps and he managed to according to ,כמה שנאמר save his life by taking the Hashem’s decree and will. huge risk of jumping out In the Torah it states the window. Would you ask him, “How was the היום אתם יוצאים ,(Shemos 13:3) Today you are weather that day? Was it“ ,בחודש האביב leaving, in the month of hot, cold, or raining?” He Aviv.” will probably respond, “Don’t you understand Rashi asks, “Don’t we what I’m telling you? My know when they left life was saved! The weath- Mitzrayim? Moshe was er was completely unim- telling them: Take notice of portant.” Nevertheless, the the chesed Hashem Torah tells us to take note performed for you: He of the comfortable weather Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 35

that הספיק בצקם של אבותינו להחמיץ Bnei Yisroel enjoyed when they left Mitzrayim to teach we eat matzah because this us that everything, even is what they ate at the time the seemingly trivial, of yetzias Mitzrayim. This weather related detail is teaches us that Hashem’s orchestrated by Hashem will always prevails. If for the benefit of His Hashem wants Bnei Yisroel people. Nothing is to eat matzah, they will do insignificant. It is all part of so as slaves and as free the seder, order of the world men. Because everything is in which we live. in His hands and happens by His decision alone. Similarly, in life, it isn’t only the major issues that We add that even when are pre-destined and a human being who has planned by Hashem. Even free will, does something the minutest details are to you, that too is part of predestined and planned Hashem’s hashgachah. by Hashem. As it states (Bereishis ולאביו שלח כזאת עשרה חמרים ,(The Yidden enslaved in 45:23 Yosef sent“ ,נשאים מטוב מצרים Mitzrayim were probably looking forward to the time his father ten donkeys…” when they would be free The Maharal (Gevuras Hashem men, when they could eat 10) explains that donkeys wholesome bread, instead don’t know what they are of the poor man’s bread – carrying, nor do they know matzah. But when they left why they are carrying it. Mitzrayim, they were Yosef sent his father ten eating matzah again! As donkeys to hint to his father that his ten brothers הא ,we say in the Haggadah aren’t responsible for לחמא עניא די אכלו אבהתנא בארעא .This is the bread of selling him to Mitzrayim“ ,דמצרים affliction that we ate in Like donkeys, they didn’t Mitzrayim,” and we say, know what they were doing. They thought they מצה זו שאנו אוכלים... על שום שלא 36 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach were acting on their own, Their host told them, but they were really “In this house, we celebrate carrying out Hashem’s true freedom. In many plan. “Don’t be angry at homes, the tables are my ten brothers who sold beautifully set, the children me. Ultimately, it was sit with derech eretz (proper Hashem’s plan that I conduct), dressed in their should be sold to Mitzrayim finest yom tov clothes. The –and that’s the primary sight is a delight to behold. reason that everything But that isn’t freedom, occurred.” because they are enslaved to this perfect state. If anything was out of order, Everything is for the Good they wouldn’t know how to handle their disappointment. But in this A renowned mechanach home, we believe Hashem (educator) of Yerushalaim, is leading us in the very whose wife wasn’t best way. Therefore, we are emotionally stable, brought happy with everything that a few bachurim to his home happens to us – and that is for the Seder. Halachah true freedom.” יהא שולחנו ערוך (states, (472:1 The On Erev Pesach Reb“ ,מבעוד יום כדי לאכל כשתחשך table should be set in the Bertze z’l (a chassid of Rebbe daytime so one can start Asher of Karlin zy’a) set the the meal [and begin the Seder table himself (as he Seder immediately] when would, every year), and left it turns nighttime…” But for shul to daven Maariv. in this home, everything was topsy-turvy. It seemed Meanwhile, at home, that they didn’t even begin his wife’s apron got caught preparing the home for the on the tablecloth, and as yom tov. The bachurim were she walked by, the matzos taken aback. and wine fell to the floor. Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 37

When Reb Ber’tze came is from Hashem, and home, he found the house everything is for the good. in a messy state, and his wife moping in bed. There are four sons in the Haggadah. Rebbe Hirsh She blamed him for Rimonver said, “In my שאינו יודע לשאול what happened. She said, opinion, the “Why weren’t you more (the one who can’t ask questions) is careful with the matzos the best off. because he and wine? You put them at doesn’t ask any questions. the edge of the table, where He accepts everything that they can topple over happens to him with easily!” emunah. He knows that this is how it has to be. Reb Ber’tze said, “It wasn’t my fault and it As we say in the וירד מצרימה אנוס על פי ,wasn’t your fault. This was Haggadah that by Hashem’s ,הדיבור Hashem’s plan.” And Reb Ber’tze celebrated the Seder decree we went down to with joy. Mitzrayim. The galus (exile) to Mitzrayim, and The next morning Rebbe everything that happens in Asher of Karlin zt’l spoke our life is determined and about the Sedarim of decided by Hashem and people in his generation everything is for the best. (which he perceived with his ruach hakadosh). And then he ומורא גדול זה גלוי שכינה said, “But the Seder of Reb Ber’tze was greater than all There are many others. No one reached the indications that the heights which he attained.” Shechinah is present at the This was because he Seder. remained happy despite his overturned Seder table The Mishnah (Pesachim They“ ,הביאו לפניו ,and upset wife and because 114) states he believed that everything bring before him [the 38 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach karpas]…” It seems it Hashem Himself is at the ועברתי בארץ ,Seder, as we say ,הביאו לו ,should have stated I came to” ,מצרים אני ולא מלאך They bring him [the“ karpas]” (as the Mishnah before the land of Mitzrayim, I They pour and not an angel…” How“ ,מזגו לו ,this one says him…”). The Tiferes Shlomo can we speak before the answers the discrepancy King? by explaining to us that the Mishnah is alluding to The Maharil says that if everything we do on the a person has collateral from night of the seder. This a non-Jew, he may place it night is before Him, before on his table on Pesach תע"ב Hashem. (quoted in Magen Avraham The Chasam Sofer .(סק"ב We also say in the (Drashos Shabbos HaGadol vol.2 ונאמר לפניו שירה Haggadah, p.255) explains, “Due to the We will say before holiness of telling the story“ ,חדשה Him a new song.” The of yetzias Mitzrayim, the entire Seder takes place tumah of those utensils before Hashem. won’t affect us, even if they The Shlah HaKadosh weren’t toveled.” (quoted in Mishnah Berurah 473:71) states that we The Maharal teaches us shouldn’t read magid while that the malachim were We can Hashem’s emissaries to .(הסיבה) leaning back explain that this too is perform the makos. To because the Shechinah is protect Klal Yisroel, present. (Similar to the Hashem raised the Yidden halachah that one doesn’t recline above the malachim. The at the Seder when his Rebbe is makos didn’t affect them present.) because they were on a higher level. Makas bechoros Reb Shimon Shkop zt’l was performed by Hashem ועברתי ,would have a taanis dibur Himself. As it states I passed“ .בארץ מצרים אני ולא מלאך ,at the Seder. He explained Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 39 through Eretz Mitzrayim, I and the sefarim suggest that and not an angel…” there is a holiness in just saying these words (see So how were the Yidden Yesod v’Shoresh HaAvodah). saved? The Maharal teaches קדש ,that Hashem elevated the Notice the order holy (2) pure. This is (ורחץ, (Yidden up to His level. 1 the order that the malachim ,חלק אלו-ה ממעל They became a kivayachol, united with use, as we say in Shacharis, ,וכולם פותחים את פיהם בקדושה ובטהרה Hashem, and thereby they were saved. kedushah precedes taharah. This explains why this Generally, human which beings must be pure, and ,פסח yom tov is called means to jump (Rashi Shemos then they can become holy .(טהרה וקדושה) On this holiday, we .(12:23 jump up to Hashem’s level, But at the Seder, we keviyachol. jump to a higher level – to The Seder has fifteen the level of malachim. We simanim, which is the order begin with kedushah. Afterwards, comes the קדש ורחץ כרפס :of the Seder etc. Customarily, we say forty-nine days of sefiras ,ורחץ these titles before ha’omer when we attain performing the mitzvos, taharah, too.13

13. There are hints to avodas Hashem in these words, and in the order of the Seder.

if a person ,קדש ורחץ :Rebbe Yochanan Rachmistrifka zy'a taught which is ,כרפס wants to sanctify and purify himself, the path is the first rule is to keep the mouth ,כ׳לל ר׳אשון פ׳ה ס׳גור roshei teivos for shut. By avoiding forbidden speech, one is able to attain holiness means that when you do speak, say only half יחץ מגיד .and purity of what you were planning to say. Chassidim once heard Rebbe Yehoshua of Belz zt’l silently repeat 40 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach

Rebbetzin Chavah Leah face, and she admitted that married the Chasam Sofer’s she couldn’t. son, the Ksav Sofer zt’l. Her sisters-in-laws told her The Avnei Nezer said, about their father’s “My father-in-law (the Rebbe wondrous Seder. They told of Kotzk zt’l) always appeared her that it is literally like a malach, but at the impossible to look at the Seder, he appeared like a Chasam Sofer’s face at the saraf (a higher angel). On the Seder, because his night of the Seder, the countenance shines so Rebbe of Kotzk was brightly. elevated in a manner that we didn’t see by him, even Rebbetzin Chavah Leah on Yom Kippur…. During didn’t believe them. She the second half of the Seder, thought it was imaginations. sparks of fire spurted from אביר הרועים ע"ג,) ”…At the Seder she tried to his mouth .(שמ"ד look at her father-in-law’s

etc), before he קדש ורחץ כרפס יחץ) to himself the simanim of the Seder began the Seder. Chassidim explain that he was reminding himself of all the wonderful steps of the Seder, so he could keep each step and he regrets that they נרצה properly. Sometimes a person reaches had so many special opportunities at the Seder that he didn’t take full advantage of. Therefore, even before starting the Seder, Rebbe Yehoshua of Belz zt'l reminded himself of the order of the night. This reminder would inspire him to take advantage of all the mitzvos of this holy night. etc. are called simanim. When קדש ורחץ ,The order of the Seder someone claims a lost object, he had to give evidence of ownership and then he can get back the lost object. Throughout the year, due to his sins, a person can lose some of his holiness. We can say that when he does all the simanim of the Seder he can get his lost kedushah back. Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 41

The great emotion and bed” – and you are speaking yiras Shamayim of these directly to Hashem. tzaddikim at this time is understood, because of the At the Seder, we also holiness of the night. As say some words in Aramaic. .etc ,הא לחמא עניא ,we say in the Haggadah, We say The Arugas HaBosem ,ובמורא גדול זה גילוי שכינה “[Hashem took us out of zt’l explains that Hashem is Mitzrayim] with immense present at the Seder, fear; the Shechinah was therefore we can speak in present.” Aramaic.

חד The Gemara (Shabbos 12) The Seder ends with .which is also Aramaic ,גדיא states that one shouldn’t daven in Aramaic because This hints that Hashem is the malachim don’t present from the beginning understand that language. of the Seder until the end. But when the Shechinah is This also sheds present, one may daven in understanding on why the Aramaic, because his Seder night is such an words are spoken directly auspicious time for tefillah. to Hashem. He doesn’t Hashem is present and need the malachim to therefore whatever we understand them and to request has a strong impact elevate his tefillos in order in Heaven. that they should reach ,כל דכפין ייתי וייכול ,Hashem. We say “Whoever is hungry, come For example, when and eat.” What will be if visiting the sick, one may there are many hungry pray for the ill in Aramaic people and they all accept because the Shechinah is our offer and come to the present – as it states (Tehillim Seder? How will we have Hashem enough room for all of“ ,ה‘ יסעדנו על ערש דוי ,(41 supports him on his sick- them? How will we have 42 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach enough food for all of The Chasam Sofer zt’l them? explains that this is all because when there’s The Chasam Sofer zt’l holiness there is room and .bounty תקס"ב ד"ה drashos Shabbos HaGadol) answers that on this (כי תבאו night, our homes receive The Chasam Sofer the holiness of Eretz writes, “In past times, Yisroel, and wherever many people lived in Eretz there’s holiness there is Yisroel. Today, there isn’t plenty of room and enough room in Eretz abundance. Yisroel for that amount of people. The holy city As Chazal (Avos 5:5) say, “No one ever said he Yerushalaim, which was doesn’t have a place to holier, contained all the sleep in Yerushalaim.” Due people of Eretz Yisroel [on to the holiness of the yomim tovim] and no Yerushalaim, there was one ever said he doesn’t always enough room for have a place to sleep in whoever came. Yerushalaim. All those people were able to go to courtyard of the ,עזרה the עומדים ,Chazal also say they Beis HaMikdash, because it ,צפופים ומשתחוים רווחים stood in the Beis HaMikdash was even holier. They next to ,צפופים tightly, one next to the would stand ,רווחים other, but when they one another, and bow bowed down, everyone with plenty of room. The had place. Midrash states that in the times of Yehoshua bin Chazal also say that the Nun, the entire nation was sufficient for stood between the two לחם הפנים all the Kohanim present. poles of the Aron. This is Even if one received only a because holiness doesn’t tiny bit of the bread, it was take up space in this enough to satiate him. physical world… This also Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 43

to having knesiyos will move to Eretz ,הסתפקות applies to enough food. Hashem’s Yisroel.’ Our houses will blessing was in their food also move to Eretz Yisroel. and in all their utensils. This is the meaning of the השתא הכא לשנה הבאה ,This happened due to the words We are here‘ ,בארעא דישראל holiness of the Jewish people and the holiness of now. Next year this house the land. will be in Eretz Yisroel’…” and therefore an aspect of “With these ideas, I Eretz Yisroel exists at the Seder, and there will be כהא לחמא עניא די אכלו ,explain This is the bread of room and food for’ ,אבהתנא poverty our forefathers ate everyone. in Mitzrayim with hunger and suffering.’ We are still An Inherently Special eating the same poor-man’s Night bread [because we are כל ,poor]… Nevertheless אז רב נסים (The Piyut (poem ,דכפין ייתי ויכל כל דצריך ייתי ויפסח talks about theהפלאת בלילה Whoever is hungry, come’ and eat with us.’ There will many miracles that be enough. As Chazal say, happened on this special ‘The entire nation can eat night. Many of the miracles the same korban Pesach.’ happened even before Our apartments and homes yetzias Mitzrayim. It seems will become spacious, and that this night is inherently there will be room for all special (and not only because the guests. This is perfectly the redemption from Mitzrayim logical, because as we tell took place on this night). Hashem’s wonders and miracles our house becomes The piyut says: like a miniature Eretz Yisroel. Chazal (Megillah 29.) Avraham Avinu say, ‘In the future, the batei conquered four mighty midrashim and the batei kings on this night. 44 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach

On this night Hashem weeks before yetzias warned Lavan in a dream Mitzrayim occurred! that he mustn’t harm Yaakov. The Kedushas Levi (ויושע ה' ביום ההואBeshalach) Hashem also came to explains that it isn’t the Avimelech in a dream on miracles of yetzias Mitzrayim the first night of Pesach, that happened on this night telling him that he mustn’t that makes the night harm Sara. special, rather, it is because the night is special that the Yaakov fought with the miracles occurred. He malach and won, on this writes, “There are days night. when Hakadosh Baruch Yitzchok blessed Hu bestows His goodness Yaakov, on this night. to His nation, Yisroel, and reveals His love to them. The Targum Yonasan The most mesugal day for (Toldos 27:1) says that this is Pesach.” Yitzchok said to Yaakov, “My son, on this night all As the Midrash says, the angels in heaven are “What is Hashem occupied praising Hakadosh Baruch with on the first night of Hu, and the treasuries in Pesach? He is occupied heaven are open.” This all with performing miracles happened before yetzias for Klal Yisroel.” As the אז רוב ניסים הפלאת ,Mitzrayim! piyyut says Most miracles“ ,בלילה The Torah (Shemos 12:16) happened on this night.” May we merit miracles this וביום הראשון מקרא קדש וביום ,says .The year as well“ השביעי מקרא קדש יהיה לכם first day [of Pesach] is a holiday and the seventh Chumros day is a holiday…” This pasuk was said on Rosh Rebbe Simchah Bunim Chodesh Nissan, two of Peshischa zt’l taught that Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 45 generally one doesn’t need this work?” The Pela Yoetz to be excessively machmir (Elef HaMagen, Bishalach) (stringent). The exception is explains that the rasha is chametz on Pesach, because asking, “Why do you have each chumrah creates an so many chumros on ornament for the kallah (the Pesach? Isn’t keeping Shechinah). halachah enough? Why do you need to add more and Indeed, there are many more chumros?” chumros when it comes to אילו היה ,Pesach – each family and We tell the rasha community has their own that if he was ,שם לא היה נגאל set of stringencies – and it in Mitzrayim, he wouldn’t is important to keep these be redeemed. chumros in a spirit of joy. Rebbe Bunim calls the chumros “ornaments for the The Pela Yoetz explains kallah (Shechinah)”, and when that this is because we were one adorns a kallah for her redeemed from Mitzrayim chasunah, there is an because Klal Yisrel 14 atmosphere of joy and practiced chumros. excitement. We should keep the chumros in a He explains: similar happy spirit. At kriyas Yam Suf the The rasha in the malachim said, “The Yidden .are also idol worshipers מה העבודה ,Haggadah asks Why do you do Why should they merit to“ ,הזאת לכם

14. Perhaps the Yidden in Mitzrayim had chumros to safeguard them from chametz, like the chumros we have today. Or perhaps it is referring to the chumrah that they didn’t change their names, language, and clothing, to protect them from intermarrying and intermingling with the Egyptians. 46 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach be saved while the Mitzrim because they would go are drowned?15 beyond the letter of the law and do more. Why, indeed, were they saved? However, the rasha in the Hagadah doesn’t want It was because of the chumros. He only wants to chumros that the Jewish do what is obligatory, and nation practiced. As the no more. We tell him, “We Gemara (Brachos 20:) says, were saved because of our Hashem has compassion chumros. If you were there on the Jewish nation, even you wouldn’t be saved.” when they don’t deserve it, because they go beyond Often, the chumrah is a the letter of the law, and family custom, and then are machmir (stringent). one must be even more “Hashem says, ‘How can I careful to uphold it. As it Don’t“ ,אל תטוש תורת אמך ,not have compassion on states the Jewish nation? I abandon the Torah of your obligated them to bench(bless) mother,” and Chazal say birchas hamazon when they that this pasuk is referring eat bread to satiation, but to abiding by the customs they are stringent, and they of our forefathers. bench after eating only a kezayis…’” There was a chasan (a Belzer chassid) who wasn’t Even if the Yidden planning on wearing a didn’t deserve kriyas Yam shtreimel after his chasunah. Suf, Hashem had Rebbe Yehoshua of Belz compassion on them zy’a asked him about that.

to save a nation from the" ,לקחת לו גוי מקרב גוי Similarly, it states .15 midst of a nation." The Jewish nation wasn't noticeably different than the Mitzrim. It wasn't so clear that they should be saved and not the Egyptians. Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 47

The chasan replied, “Clothes It states (Devarim 1:44), The Slonimer .בשעיר עד חרמה don’t mean anything to me. A shtreimel…a hat… tzaddikim explained, “To they’re the same to me. veer away from a family What’s inside the person is custom, even a hairsbreadth ,עד חרמה ,ends with ,(בשעיר) ”.important destruction, and totally The Rebbe told him the falling away from following Gemara (Gittin Yiddishkeit. 60:): The Haggadah therefore לא כרת הקב“ה ברית עם ישראל a ,כופר בעיקרcalls the rasha a אלא בשביל דברים שבעל פה שנאמר כי non-believing Jew. As we על פי הדברים האלה כרתי אתך ברית ואת explained, the rasha doesn’t Hakadosh Baruch” ,ישראל want any safeguards. But Hu made a pact (bris) with without these safeguards, Yisroel solely because of one can fall to low levels, the oral Torah. As it states until he becomes a non- (Shemos 34:27), “Because of believer. For these reasons, these words [the oral keeping family chumros are Torah] I am making a bris essential. with you and with Bnei Yisroel.” Perspective What is the oral Torah in our times, now that the Although chumros are Mishnah and Gemara were essential, especially a written down? Rebbe family custom, one must Yehoshua of Belz said, “In be cautious with them, our generation, the oral because taken the wrong Torah is the customs, the way, it can cause one to fall minhagim. Customs are so rather than to grow. important that for them, Hakadosh Baruch Hu It is important to put makes a bris with the Jewish things into perspective, people.” and to know what is a 48 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach chumrah and what is heard, there is a mitzvah to halachah. refrain from speaking what will not be heard.” Sometimes a person transgresses a chumrah and When the Noda he feels depressed, as B’Yehudah passed by, the though he transgressed priest greeted him first. halachah itself. This is This was a good sign. The taking the chumrah too far. Noda B’Yehudah answered his greeting in a friendly Consider the following manner, and they shared a story: few pleasant words. Then the Noda B’Yehudah A student of the Noda continued on his way. B’Yehudah left the path of When the Noda B’Yehudah Torah and eventually came home, he asked one became a priest. The Noda of his students to invite the B’Yehudah contemplated priest to his house. The how to bring him back. priest arrived soon After making some afterwards. inquiries, he heard that the priest has a set time each The Noda B’Yehudah day when he relaxes on his came straight to the point. porch and watches the He asked his former passersby. The Noda student, “Why did you B’Yehudah decided to pass leave the path of Torah?” by at that hour and greet him. If the priest returns “One Pesach, when I his greeting, it meant that was eating teig [in that era there is hope to bring him yeshiva students ate in the back to Judaism. But if he homes of the townspeople] ignores him, there is a kernel of wheat was nothing he can do to help found inside one of the him. As Chazal say, “Just pots. The head of the as there is a mitzvah to say household sent me to ask something that will be you whether we may eat it. Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 49

You said that the food is regret all your sins and permitted according to return to Hashem.” halachah, but because of the chumros of Pesach, it The student followed would be proper not to eat this counsel and he became it. a baal teshuvah.

“I returned to the house Rebbe Shlomo of Bobov and told them what you zt’l once came to Baron said. They were G-d fearing Rothschild, and the Baron people and immediately greeted him with immense accepted your psak (Halacha honor. The Baron showed ruling). They were about to the Rebbe that he has a throw everything out, but I special house for Pesach. wanted to eat it, so I asked “This way I know my them to leave a portion for house is perfectly clean me, and I ate it with relish. from chametz.”

“But I immediately The Baron noticed that regretted what I did. I felt the Rebbe remained silent, like a rasha for consuming so he asked, “Aren’t you questionable food. I impressed with this couldn’t stop thinking chumrah?” about how I succumbed to temptation. Due to my The Rebbe replied, “My depression and despair, I grandfather was the fell to low levels. Eventually, Tzanzer Rav, and as you as you see, I became a know, he wasn’t wealthy. priest.” Nevertheless, if he felt something was important, The Noda B’Yehudah or even ideal, money never exclaimed, “But I told you prevented him from doing that it was permitted. There what he thought was was no sin at all! I was just important. My grandfather recommending a chumrah. never had a Pesach house. Therefore, from now on Apparently, he didn’t 50 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach consider it a necessary matter too far. chumrah. Embarrassing another Yid is a de’oraysa, a sin from the “Matzah is made Torah. This consideration specifically from should come before any ingredients that can become minhag and chumra. chametz. We don’t make matzah from potatoes or Reb Meshulem Igra zt’l rice, only from flour and ate matzah only at the water, which have the Seder (as a precaution from tendency of becoming chametz). And even then, he chametz. Hashem wants us ate only from the matzos to be in a challenging place, that he baked himself, with and to pass the test…” extreme caution.

The Baron praised the Once, on erev Pesach, Rebbe for his wise response Reb Meshulam Igra’s and gave him a large children were hungry, and donation (3000 reinish. He the maid was thinking continued donating this what she could give them. generous sum the following The chametz was already years, too). burned. She found some matzah – she didn’t realize So, we see that not every that these were Reb chumrah should be pursued. Meshulem Igra’s special It is important to keep this matzos – and she gave in mind. them to the children.

When a Chumrah Hurts When the rebbetzin Others discovered that her husband’s matzos were Some people have no given to the children, she regrets when they harm decided to leave home and and embarrass others in return just in time for the order to uphold a chumrah. Seder. She didn’t want to That is certainly taking the be home when her husband Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 51 found out that his matzos chose to be cautious with were taken, because she the latter. knew he would be upset. Rebbe Pinchas Koritzer’s When she came home, son once got angry with she found her husband in the maid when she put good spirits. “He probably matzah into the soup doesn’t know yet,” she (rendering the soup gebroks). thought. With tears in her Rebbe Pinchas Koritzer eyes, she told her husband told him, “Now you may that the maid mistakenly eat this matzah too.” He gave away his matzos. was telling him that getting angry and insulting others, He said, “So what’s the is worse than gebroks. problem? There are other matzos in the house. I’ll A chasan, only a couple use those.” of weeks after his chasunah (wedding), was participating When the Satmar Rebbe in his father-in-law’s Seder. zt’l repeated this story, he When the soup was served, expressed his admiration he found a wheat kernel in for Reb Meshulam Igra that his plate. His in-laws said he passed this difficult test. they cleaned the house He didn’t become angry very well, and they don’t with the maid, or with his know how this happened. wife for not being more on But the chasan abruptly top of things. He believed took his wife, and left the that this was bashert, and house. He felt that he therefore there was no couldn’t trust his in-law’s reason to be angry. level of kashrus. This left everyone feeling He realized that his uncomfortable and stringencies were a ashamed. chumrah, while becoming angry and insulting others He went directly to Rav is a Torah prohibition. He Shmuel Salant zt’l, the Rav 52 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach of Yerushalaim, and told they could get to the him what happened. He afikomon before chatzos. was certain the Rav would say he did the right thing Reb Binyamin zt’l said, by leaving the house. “The rebbetzin worked hard to prepare the meal. She The Rav took the may be upset if we rush chasan’s streimel, shook it through the meal without forcefully, and a few wheat enjoying what she kernels fell out. Apparently, prepared.” on the Shabbos before his Reb Binyamin added, chasunah, wheat kernel “All the chumros we have confetti were thrown at the at the Seder aren’t worth chasan (as customary) when anything if it will cause he had his aliyah leTorah, another Yid to krechtz and they were still in his (sigh).” streimel. Reb Shlomo Frishtik It wasn’t his in-laws shlita would eat machine who were at fault. The matzos, growing up in his chasan was guilty for not father’s home. When Reb cleaning his streimel. He Shlomo Frishtik married embarrassed his wife and Rebbe Gedalya Moshe of his in-laws in the name of Zvhil’s zt’l daughter, Reb righteousness, and it was Shlomo Frishtik was all an error. wondering whether he should eat machine matzos One year, at the Seder when he visits his father, of Reb Binyamin or whether, in honor of his Rabinowitz zt’l (dayan of the wife and in honor of the Eidah haChareidis, Yerushalaim) prestigious lineage that he shulchan orach began just just joined via marriage, he twenty minutes before should respect their custom chatzos. His children began and eat solely hand matzos. serving the meal quickly so The couple was supposed Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 53 to go to his father’s home family wanted to stop him, for the Seder, and he didn’t but Rebbe Shlomke know whether they should signaled to them that they eat the machine matzos. shouldn’t say anything.

He asked the rabbanim The Rebbe explained, of Yerushalaim for counsel, “In heaven, you will not be and they advised him to asked whether you ate ask Rebbe Shlomke Zvhiler gebroks or not. You will be (his wife’s grandfather) asked whether you watched directly. your eyes, and whether Rebbe Shlomke replied, you guarded your tongue “In heaven they won’t ask from hurting another 16 you whether you ate hand Yid.” matzah or machine matzah. They will ask you only two Rebbe Yochonon questions: (1) Did you Twersky of Tolne zy’a was guard your eyes? (2) Did extremely careful not to eat you guard your mouth gebroks, as this was the from hurting another Yid?” strict minhag of the tzaddikim of Chernobyl for Once, a guest in Rebbe many generations. Once, Shlomke of Zvhil’s home on chol hamoed, the 19th of was eating gebroks. Some Nissan, the Rebbe lead a members of Reb Shlomke’s tish in honor of Rebbe

והייתם ,(The Jewish nation is called segulah, as it states (Shemos 19:5 .16 which is a vowel ,סגל comes from the word סגולה The word .לי סגולה that has two dots above one dot below. They represent the two a special ,סגולה eyes and one mouth. Guard these, and you will be a treasure for Hashem.

How does a mikvah purify? Rebbe Shlomke zt’l said that it is because in a mikvah one closes his eyes and mouth, and that purifies... 54 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach

Aharon of Karlin’s yahrtzeit. obligation. Often, one At the end of the table sat should keep his family’s a litvishe man eating gebroks. chumros, even when it He was dipping his matzah causes some discomfort into the soup. The chassidim and unease. But it is around him were appalled important to keep in mind and they rebuked him that it isn’t a simple harshly. The embarrassed question, and every man quickly pushed his situation should be soup away. weighed individually.

The Rebbe asked his Bedikas and Biur Chametz gabbai to bring him another bowl of soup. The gabai We begin with a story turned to go into the that demonstrates the kitchen to bring it, but the heights a person can attain Rebbe said, “No, I want the by doing the mitzvah of soup that was pushed to bedikas chametz (searching for the middle of the table.” Chametz) with mesirus nefesh (sacrifice). Everyone was shocked, because they knew it was Reb Shimshon Pinkus gebroks. The Rebbe zt’l learned in the Chevron explained, “When people yeshiva, and he was the embarrassed this Yid for only bachur of his rented eating gebroks, it created a apartment who planned on kitrug (prosecuting angel) over staying there for Pesach. me and my family. I want This meant that bedikas to eat his soup to appease chametz was his this man, and to save him responsibility. from shame.” He studied the halachos In conclusion, as well, and on the night of important as these customs bedikas chametz he checked and chumros are, honoring for chametz for several our fellow man is a greater hours. Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 55

Then he remembered enjoyed each word of the that he hadn’t yet checked Haggadah, as he had never the roof. The roof wasn’t before. He also felt very only his responsibility, it closely connected to was the responsibility of Hashem the entire time. everyone who lived in the After the Seder he felt so apartment building. But inspired that he couldn’t knowing that people tend fall asleep. He stayed to rely on others, he realized awake all night studying that if he didn’t take care and learning about yetzias of it himself, perhaps no Mitzrayim. one would. Reb Shimshon tells how He climbed up on the the entire Pesach was roof and found it very exalted, and how after cluttered and dirty. It was Pesach, he continued to almost impossible to do grow higher and higher, bedikas chametz there. He and he attributes it all to would need to clean up the bedikas chametz that he first, and then do bedikas performed with mesirus chametz. nefesh. He realized that this would take hours (and he He said, “If I have any was already tired) but he kept quality today, it’s because reminding himself, “I’m of that mitzvah d’rabbanan doing the mitzvah of bedikas of bedikas chametz, which I chametz” and that gave him did with mesirus nefesh.” the strength to continue. By the time he finished Reb Shimshon was niftar bedikas chametz, it was on the 12th of Nisan. He already morning. was buried the next evening, on the 13th of He thought he would Nisan, the night of bedikas be tired at the Seder, but he chametz (that year Pesach was found that he wasn’t. He on Motzei Shabbos). 56 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach

Chazal say, Hashem is because bedikas chametz fills the lives of tzaddikim. signifies getting rid of all They are niftar on the day the tumah (impurity) and they were born. Reb aveiros (sins). Shimshon Pinkus’s life was completed on the date of Reb Akiva Eiger zt’l his great elevation. writes in a letter, “When the Jewish people lived in Reb Yeruchem, the their land, erev Pesach was mashgiach of Yeshivas Mir a joyous holiday. On this zt’l, elaborates on the day everyone brought the immense purity a Yid korban Pesach and said attains on erev Pesach when Hallel. Today’s erev Pesach he gets rid of the chametz, should be similar… We which symbolizes getting should be busy with rid of all one’s bad and mitzvos all day long, sins. He said, “If we came burning the chametz, to this world just for these preparing for the Seder…” it would also ,דיינו ,mitzvos be worthwhile.” The Bas Ayin (Drush lePesach, Metzora) writes, “Erev When Rebbe Moshe Pesach…when a person Mordechai of Lelov’s sister does teshuvah sheleimah once came to visit her (complete repentance) before brother, the Rebbe asked Hashem, and eradicates all her, “Do you remember the chametz and all the bad our father’s bedikas in his heart, it is an eis chametz? It took all night ratzon (auspicious time), and it was performed with greater than the entire tears and hisorerus…” This year…”17

17. The Bas Ayin adds, "When it is the sixth hour [of the morning] when the chametz, which represents the yetzer hara, is removed, is open [at its upper מצה of 'ה begins, the מצה and the time for Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 57

When we burn the the war of Gog and Magog, chametz, the world is is which will take place then. cleansed from impurities, and the tefillos we say at A Russian czar passed this time are answered. an evil decree against the Jewish community. An The Ateres Yehoshua of activist of the Jewish Djikev zt’l would recite the community discovered that tefillah of Rebbe Elimelech the decree could be of Lizensk zt’l18 when he abolished by giving a large burned his chametz. bribe to one of the ministers.

Rebbe Aharon of Belz He began a fundraising zt’l rarely cried, but when campaign, to raise money he burned the chametz (and for the bribe. He spoke for Purim) he with many rabbanim and קרובץwhen he said would cry. asked them to raise money from their congregants. He Tzaddikim taught that also sent a letter to Rebbe the war of Gog and Magog, Aharon of Chernobyl zt’l, which heralds the coming asking him to raise money of Moshiach, will take place from his many chassidim, on erev Pesach, during the but Rebbe Aharon didn’t three hours when people respond to the letter. are burning their chametz. The activist sent people In the Hoshanos (Succos) to explain to Rebbe Aharon ,save the importance of the bribe“ ,הושענא שלש שעות ,we say us three hours.” We are and the severity of the praying to be saved from situation (and even Rebbe

corner], which represents that whoever wants to come in with teshuvah, can come through there." 18. The tefillah is printed at the beginning of many siddurim and many machzorim. 58 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach

Yitzchak of Skvere zt’l came to severity of chametz. his brother, Rebbe Aharon, to Therefore, I turn to the convince him to raise money) Midrash. The Midrash says but Rebbe Aharon still chametz on Pesach didn’t want to raise money represents the yetzer hara. for this. One must banish the yetzer hara from himself and On erev Pesach, when search for it in all the Rebbe Aharon Chernobyler corners of his thoughts. was about to burn his Even the smallest drop chametz, he said, “Some say must be eradicated. This we annul gezeiros (decrees) explanation is correct.” with money, but that’s not correct. We annul all evil In Warsaw, there was a decrees when we burn the watchmaker who was a chametz.” tzaddik nistar (hidden tzaddik). The Chebiner Rav Lessons from the purposely broke his watch Prohibition of Chametz so that he would have a reason to enter the store in Chametz represents the the hope that he would yetzer hara. As the Gemara receive a brachah from him. (Brachos 17) says, “Master of The watchmaker the world; You know we understood the Chebiner want to do Your will. Who Rav’s intention, so he said, שאור שבעיסה ?prevents us “What do you want from the chametz in“ ,ושעבוד מלכיות me? I’m a simple person.” the dough and the government taxes.” Rashi The Chebiner Rav שאור שבעיסה explains that means the yetzer hara. replied, “If you won’t give me a brachah, at least tell The Radvaz (chelek 3 siman me a dvar Torah.” 977) writes, “In pshat (simple basic explanation), I didn’t find The tzaddik obliged. He an explanation for the said the following: Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 59

The Rema (432:2) writes for something even if we that there is a custom to know where it is. The ,ויחפש put out pieces of chametz Torah calls it before bedikas chametz, so searching.” that the brachah won’t be said in vain. Sometimes, When we do bedikas the person who is making chametz it’s an ideal time to the bedikas chametz will put search for our yetzer hara. out the pieces of chametz You may know about your himself, before he begins. yetzer hara, but as we’ve seen, that is also called The commentaries ask: “searching.” Look for it If he knows where the again, find the yetzer hara pieces are, this isn’t called that you know is there, see searching for chametz! where it plays a role in ,בדיקה He knows exactly where your life, and take steps the chametz is!? towards doing biur chametz, totally cleansing yourself But we can bring a proof from the yetzer hara. that this is called searching. The Pnei Menachem zt’l ויחפש ,It states (Bereishis 44:12)19 said, sometimes a person ,בגדול החל ובקטן כלה וימצא “[Yosef’s servants] says, “What can I do? searched, starting with the Hashem gave me this yetzer oldest son and they hara! It isn’t my fault.” But completed their search we reply, “Pieces of bread with the youngest son.” were placed in your home They searched for Yosef’s so that you can find them goblet, although they knew and cleanse your house where it was (see Rashi). This from them. Similarly, proves that we can search although the yetzer hara

19. The Gemara (Pesachim 7) uses this pasuk, along with several other pesukim, in reference to bedikas chametz, to prove that one searches for chametz with a candle. 60 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach was given to you, it’s your We don’t say the brachah job to get rid of it.” when we burn the chametz. This hints that our One of the translations obligation is to try and do is to fight, as it states the best we can. We can’t מצה of make a brachah on the ,אנשי מצותך ,(Yeshayah 41:12) “those who battle with results because they aren’t you,” because we must put always in our hands. But up a battle against the we can make a brachah on 20 yetzer hara. our attempts to cleanse ourselves from all bad, and The Beis Ahron writes, that is all that Hashem “The difference between requests from us. is only a small חמץ and מצה (.which isn’t in the As Chazal (Pesachim 8 ,’ח line (in the This signifies a state, one checks for .(מצה of 'ה as , עד מקום שידו מגעת ,drop of bad. One must get chametz rid of the drop of bad that’s far as his arm can reach. in his heart, throw it deep He isn’t expected to do into the sea, and come close more than he can. to the drop of good that’s inside him…” And if we try, Hashem will help us succeed. He will help us get rid of the על ,We say the brachah by bedikas chametz. chametz that’s within us.21 ביעור חמץ

20. The world says (in jest): Why do people bury the dead? It's If we will not protest, and .(ער לאסט זיך) because they don’t protest allow the yetzer hara do whatever it wants with us, we will be buried alive. We must protest, take control of our life, and fight the yetzer hara.

Don’t see" ,ולא יראה לך חמץ ולא יראה לך שאור ,(It states (Shemos 13:7 .21 chametz, and don’t see sourdough…" We can say that this is warning people not to go around with a sour face. Their face should beam with happiness. Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 61

Lessons from the Matzah moment – without kneading the dough…” If Tzaddikim said, “One you leave the dough idle, it should be involved in will become chametz. avodas Hashem (serving Hashem), constantly. If one Matzah also hints to the doesn’t have strength to virtue of humility, an concentrate on Torah, he avoiding anger. should say Tehillim. If he doesn’t have strength for The Rambam (Hilchos Tehillim, he should give Deios ch.1 and 2) teaches that tzedakah…” but always be each attribute has a good active and do something in side, and therefore, the Hashem’s service. correct way is to follow the “golden middle path.” For The Satmar Rebbe zt’l example, one shouldn’t be said that the way matzah is excessively joyous, neither made represents this ideal. overly sad; one shouldn’t When one visits a matzah be too generous with his bakery, he is amazed by money, on the other hand, the constant work that goes one shouldn’t be extremely into making the matzos, stingy, either. The middle which hints to always path is the ideal path to being active in Hashem’s take. service. However, the Rambam As it states in Shulchan writes (Hilchos Deios 2:4) There are [two] attributes“ לא יניחו העיסה בלא ,(Aruch (459:2 Don’t leave that a person shouldn’t“ , עסק ואפילו רגע אחד the dough idle – even for a follow the middle path. He

This can .שלך אי אתה רואה אבל של אחרים אתה רואה ,Chazal (on this pasuk) say be translated, you shouldn’t see your own sourness, but you should see the sourness of others, and see what you can do to help them. 62 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach

כי כל ,(should be totally distant It states (Vayikra 2:11 שאור וכל דבש לא תקטירו ממנו אשה from them. One is All leaven and all“ ,’לה arrogance…22 This also applies to anger. It is a very honey shouldn’t be bad trait and one must be sacrificed for Hashem.” extremely distant from it, Why? to the furthest extent possible. One should train Rebbe Chaim Hamdura himself not to get angry, zt’l explains that leaven even when circumstances (chametz) represents arrogance24 and honey [might] warrant anger.”23 represents anger.25 Thus, כל שאור ,the pasuk is saying ,arrogance and anger ,וכל דבש We see that regarding avoid ,לא תקריבו ממנו אשה 'ה anger and arrogance, one must totally cleanse himself using them, not even for from these negative traits. Hashem’s service.

22. The Rambam elaborates on the evils of arrogance: "Chazal ,Be very, very humble.' And they say' ,מאד מאד הוי שפל רוח ,command 'Whoever is arrogant, it is like he is denying Hashem's existence.' And they say, 'Cursed is the one who has arrogance,' even just a little bit of arrogance." 23. The Rambam elaborates: "The early scholars say, 'Whoever becomes angry, it is like avodah zarah.' And they say, 'Whoever becomes angry, if he is wise, his wisdom leaves him. If he is a navi, he loses his nevuah.' Those who get angry often, their lives aren't a life. Therefore, the chachamim commanded that one should distance himself from anger until he doesn’t get angry even over matters that deserve anger. This is the good way…" 24. Chametz represents arrogance, because the dough becomes filled with air like the heart of someone who is arrogant. ,poison ,עכס This is because honey is made by bees who have .25 .anger ,כעס spell עכס and the letters Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 63

A person should never The bachur said he didn’t claim, “Now, for Hashem’s take on anything. Reb sake, I must become Dessler told him the angry…” following mashal:

Or “In this situation, I Many, many years ago, must become arrogant. someone from a third And it is for Hashem’s world country came to honor.” Avoid using these New York City and was traits, even for Hashem’s astounded by the many service. skyscrapers he saw. Someone told him, “On the When someone is top floor of the empire state arrogant, and when building, the tallest someone is angry, his heart building of New York, fills with air. The matzah there is an observation teaches us to be humble deck. You can go up there and serene. and see the entire city of Rebbe Shlomo Dovid of New York.” Slonim zt’l says that the the break in its “Amazing!” the man) ’ה broken upper left side) hints to a replied. “But who can walk broken heart, to humility. up all those steps to the top The primary difference of the building?” ’ה is the מצה וחמץ between The difference “You don’t have to walk .’ח and the between them is the broken up the stairs. You can use heart, humility. the elevator.”

One year before Pesach, The foreigner never Reb Eliyahu Dessler zt’l heard of an elevator before, asked a bachur, “Which so this person explained to kabbalah tovah did you him briefly that you go into accept on yourself as a a room, press the button of preparation for Pesach?” the floor you want to get 64 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach to, and the elevator will With each small kabbalah, bring you there.” one can grow immensely.

The man went into the The Satmer Rebbe zt’l elevator but didn’t press compared this to two any button. The door people going to an escalator, closed, it turned dark, and but one took one step more he was afraid that he was than the other, and he got being locked inside. onto the escalator and his Panicking, he pressed a friend didn’t. He will reach random button, and as it great heights, while his turned out, he pressed the friend will remain on the emergency button. The ground level, all because of emergency personnel freed that extra step that he took. him from the elevator, and they asked him, “When This is the specialness you came into the elevator, of a kabbalah tovah. It is a why didn’t you press the small step that lifts us up button for the highest very high. floor?”

מצה and חמץ He replied, “I didn’t The words believe that pressing a represent the specialness of button could bring me to a drop of good. The only the top floor. It takes so difference between the is a חמץ and מצה much effort to climb up all letters of has ח those stairs. How could it small line that the doesn’t. This ה be achieved by the mere and the push of a button?” implies that minor breakthroughs (like the small and small ('ה Reb Dessler explained breach in the to the bachur that it is the steps can make the same with tiny kabbalos. difference between chametz We think they are and matzah, between insignificant, and can’t get holiness and impurity. us very far, but it isn’t so. What seems minor to you Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 65 generates immense the earth, to you. And then spiritual growth. the yetzer hara won’t be able to entice you. Bitul Chametz

Reb Gad’l Eisner zt’l The mitzvah of bitul told the following parable: chametz alludes to this concept. Bitul means that Someone was once one decides in his heart carrying expensive (and he says it with his mouth) diamonds and he saw that he doesn’t want the thieves walking behind chametz. He says that he him. He thought, “If I begin considers the chametz to be, like dust on the ,כעפרא דארעא to run, they will know that I’m carrying valuables, and earth. When one has this they will surely attack me attitude towards sin, one and steal my wealth. I’m can overcome the yetzer better off walking calmly, hara. like I have nothing to fear.”

The nimshal is, the best Another way to way to overcome forbidden overcome bad temptations temptations is to not want is to want good things. If them. If you will want you want good, and you them, but you run away desire mitzvos, from them because you automatically you will not know they are forbidden, desire bad things. the temptations will run, and catch up to you, and bring the temptations to The Beis Aharon zt’l you. Therefore, a wiser says that this is hinted to ,מבטל בלבו ,approach is to decide in with the words your heart that you don’t “annul it in your heart.” want these temptations. With your heart’s yearning They are nothing to you. for goodness, you annul They are like the dust of the chametz and the bad. 66 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach

A Letter from Reb that he hadn’t studied the Shamshon Astropoli zt’l letter of Reb Shamshon hy’d Astropoli that year. He studied it right then and Erev Pesach is an ideal there, and he had siyata time to study the letter dishmaya (Heavenly assistance) written by Reb Shamshon and was saved from the Astropoli zt’l hy’d (printed in Nazis. many Haggados). He promised that whoever The Erloy Rav also said reads this letter on erev that his grandfather, the Pesach will be saved the Hisorerus HaTeshuvah, would study that letter מכל מכשול ומיתה ,entire year each year. When he was 94 משונה ושום אונס ואל ימשלו בו אויביו וכל years old, he didn’t get שונאיו יפלו תחתיו ובכל אשר יפנה יצליח This means he will be around to studying the .וישכיל saved from all accidents, letter, and he was niftar hazards, and troubles, and that year. That year, he he will be successful in didn’t have the promise of everything that he does. protection.

The letter seems Teϔillah kabalistic but is actually not so difficult to In this section, we will understand. If one reads it discuss that one should slowly, he can understand pray on this holy night, it. It is worth studying, when the gates of heaven ideally on erev Pesach, and are open and Hashem is you will thereby earn near. All our requests will immense protection. be answered when we turn to Hashem on this holy The Rav of Erloy zt’l night. told that during the Holocaust, in the month of The Rema says (Darkei Elul, he was in great Moshe): “Speaking about danger. He remembered yetzias Mitzrayim is like a Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 67 tefillah, because we are door]. The king sees that saying Hashem’s praises. he already left, so the king That is why we wash our also leaves. Rather, a like we person should appease ,[ורחץ hands [by wash our hands before Hashem with praises of davening.” yetzias Mitzrayim and then Hashem will come close to Every morning we say him. And when Hashem is and at night we say ,אמת ויציב nearby, he should ask of A primary theme .אמת ואמונה Him what he needs.” of these brachos is yetzias Mitzrayim. And we conclude the brachah by Hashem loves the .praises of yetzias Mitzrayim ,ברוך אתה ה‘ גאל ישראל ,saying thanking Hashem for When we discuss yetzias redeeming Bnei Yisroel Mitzrayim, Hashem comes from Mitzrayim. close to us, and He wants to hear our requests. Rashi The Gemara (Brachos 4:) explains that it is foolish to states, “Who is a ben Olam give up this opportunity, HaBa? It is someone who and to leave before Hashem says Shemonah Esrei opens the door and lets us immediately after this ask for all our hearts’ brachah.26 desires. Rashi explains that when one doesn’t start This lesson applies to Shemonah Esrei the Seder as well. At the immediately, “it can be Seder, when we sing compared to the king’s Hashem’s praises of yetzias friend who knocks at the Mitzrayim, Hashem is near, king’s door, [and he leaves and it is a good time to ask before the king opens the Hashem for our needs, and

.איזהו בן עולם הבא, זה הסומך גאולה לתפילה ,As the Gemara says .26 68 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach

Hashem will grant them to entire family into a us. dungeon. He traveled to the Apter We shouldn’t be stingy Rav zy’a for Shabbos with our requests. We HaGadol to receive a should ask for great things. brachah. As it states (Tehillim 91:11), Erev Shabbos, the gabai אנכי ה‘ אלקיך המעלך מארץ מצרים הרחב I am Hashem told him that the Rebbe“ ,פיך ואמלאהו your G-d who took you couldn’t receive him, so out of Mitzrayim, open the innkeeper decided that your mouth wide [ask for a he would go to the Rebbe lot] and I will fill your on motzei Shabbos. requests.”27 Shabbos afternoon, at the Shabbos HaGadol There was once an drashah(lecture), the Apter innkeeper who was very Rav delivered a very deep behind in his rent. The halachic shiur, which this poritz (landlord) warned him Yid didn’t understand at that if he doesn’t pay up all. Then the Rebbe began his debt, he will throw his discussing the Haggadah.

widen your mouth? It should ,הרחב פיך Why does the pasuk say .27 ".Open your mouth" ,פתח פיך have said

When one widens his mouth, he smiles. Thus, we can explain that the pasuk is saying, "Smile, be happy, and Hashem will provide all your needs."

Chazal say, "If your teacher is like a malach, learn Torah from him. But if he isn't like a malach, don’t learn Torah from him." In what way should a teacher resemble angels? One aspect we know about malachim is that they are happy, for they serve Hashem with song and joy. A teacher should be similar to the malachim, happy and lebedig. If he’s a happy person, he is suited to be a teacher of Torah. Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 69

He said, “When we reach before the police arrested it’s a very special him. “I know I can trust ונצעק אל 'ה moment for tefillah. If one you, because you are needs parnassah, a refuah, or Yidden. I need you to if one works for a poritz watch my money for me.” and doesn’t have money to He brought in two barrels pay the rent, and the poritz filled with gold coins and threatens to throw him out said, “You can keep one on the street, and a Yid barrel for yourself. Send shouts at this point in the me the other one when I Haggadah, and begs for a send you information of salvation, Hashem will my whereabouts,” he then save him.” turned around and left.

This Yid was certain The Yid and his family that the Rebbe was talking continued the Seder to him. When Shabbos was joyously. Hashem had over, he didn’t wait to already sent them the speak to the Rebbe. He had money they needed to pay already received the the poritz, and more. counsel he needed. When he came home his wife The goyishe (gentile) asked him what the Rebbe neighbor never returned, said, and he told her that so both barrels filled with she will soon find out. gold became theirs. Pesach night, when they After Pesach, they they both traveled to the city to buy , ונצעק reached prayed and shouted to new clothes, because now Hashem for a salvation. they didn’t have to dress in Shortly afterwards, there rags anymore. They also was a knock on their door. went to the Apter Rav to It was a non-Jewish thank him for the miracle acquaintance. He told them he performed. He told that he had just killed his them, “You don’t have to wife and needed to escape thank me. You caused the 70 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach miracle to happen on your Gerrer Rebbe, he told them, This year, ask your father“ .ונצעק own, through your why you aren’t engaged Many people yet.” experienced yeshuos when in the They understood that ונצעק they prayed by Haggadah. his intention was that they should ask their Father in I know the following heaven for a shidduch, but story first-hand: one boy took the Rebbe’s counsel literally. At the There was a family that Seder he asked his father, was having a hard time “Why aren’t I engaged finding shidduchim for their yet?” older sons. One was twenty-five, one was The father started to twenty-seven, and one was cry, and his three older thirty. They all had full sons cried together with beards and weren’t him. engaged yet. Their mother said, “It’s They all learned in the yom tov. It isn’t the right Gerrer yeshiva. It was the time to cry.” custom in that yeshiva that before yom tov the bachurim They knew she was would gezegen [take leave] right. They stopped from the Gerrer Rebbe, the thinking about their plight, Leiv Simchah zy’a, before and they celebrated going home. The Rebbe joyously the rest of the would call them kasha Seder. fregers (“question askers”) because they were returning After the Seder, the home to ask the Four father said, “Let’s say Questions from their Tehillim, from chapter 90 fathers. When these three until the end, and pray that older bachurim came to the our sons be engaged” Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 71

Chodesh Iyar, one of his leg, and that was the them was engaged. Sivan last time. Since then he the second son was never needed another shot. engaged, and by Tamuz the third son was engaged. Rebbe Yosef Yitzchok of Lubavitch zy’a said, people Here’s another story of today think that all they a very special Yerushalmi lack is that Moshiach couple who were childless should come. But in for eleven years. On Pesach, Mitzrayim, they they would go either to his understood that waiting parents or to hers. But one isn’t enough. There’s also a year he told his wife, “This need for tefillah. The geulah .ונצעק time, we’re staying home.” came because of their

In the privacy of their I want to share a letter that I received from a .ונצעק home, they made a They shouted to Hashem member of our chaburah for a salvation. A year later who lives in Beis Shemesh. they had a child. after all our ,תשע“ז In“ There was a person who preparations for Pesach, had a problem with his we sat down joyously for legs. He often experienced the Seder together with my immense pain, and he brother-in-law. There was would take shots only one matter that marred periodically to somewhat our joy. My brother-in- stabilize the situation. This law’s five-year-old son was was going on for years. born with a cleft lip, and One Pesach, he was he couldn’t speak. He had celebrating the Seder in his many corrective surgeries, brothers’ house. When they but he still couldn’t speak. he left the All that came out of his ונצעק came to room and poured his heart mouth were sounds. Every out to Hashem. Motzei Yom sound he made was like a Tov he received a shot for dagger in his parent’s 72 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach heart. To make matters making up for so much lost worse, the cheder recently time…” told him that the child couldn’t continue learning The letter concludes, “I there, because of his used to wonder: What is impaired speech. the source from the rishonim that we should use the Seder for prayers. It doesn’t הא When we reached“ seem to be a time of prayer. we remembered ,לחמא עניא שו“ת דברי יציב אבן) But then I saw the vort from the Beis that our three (העזר סו“ס פ“ג whatever a ,כל דכפין :Aharon daily tefillos (Shacharis, he ,ייתי ויפסח ,person needs Minchah, Maariv) were a speaking) פה סח should have established by the avos on mouth) and pray to Hashem the first day of Pesach. for a salvation, because Furthermore, someone with prayer, all our needs showed me the Likutei can be fulfilled. We then that the (ר"א) Moharan prayed that this boy should Targum (Eichah 2) states that be healed and that he be on Pesach people shout able to speak and learn during the tefillah. As it Torah like all people. ,קול נתנו בבית ה' כיום מועד ,states ‘they shouted in the Beis “After the Seder was HaMikdash like on a completed, the father of holiday.’ And the Targum את כקל עמא דמצלין בחגא ,this boy said to his wife, writes פתח לו Like the voices of‘ ,דפסחא implying that the , opening of their son’s the nation who pray on speech abilities was up to Pesach.’ Therefore, what them to attain through better time is there for tefillah. They said Tehillim tefillah than at the Seder, with tears the entire night. the day that the avos In the morning, a miracle established tefillah?” occurred; their son started מ‘ :has three letters מצ“ה speaking. He spoke so When each of these .צ' 'ה much, it was as if he was Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 73

אבימלך, ויאמר אבימלך לא ידעתי מי עשה three letters is spelled out את הדבר הזה וגם אתה לא הגדת לי וגם מ“ם :in full, it looks like this .אנכי לא שמעתי בלתי היום The added letters .צדי“ק ה“א (all letters besides the primary are called the The Ahavas Shalom (מצ“ה letters filler letters. The Sar explains these pesukim in ,מילוי אברהם :Shalom of Belz zt’l said the following way of signifies the tzaddik and מילוי that if you take the symbolizes the King אבימלך I will“ ,אקדי“ם it spells מצה come first…” The Sar of the world, Hakadosh והוכח אברהם את .Shalom said that that this Baruch Hu אבימלך על אדות באר המים אשר גזלו hints that some tefillos The tzaddik asks ,עבדי אבימלך aren’t answered immediately, but the tefillos Hashem, “Why are the will be wellsprings of Hashem’s ,אקדים of Pesach answered immediately. bounty being stolen away from us and taken by the There is a custom to eat slaves – the nations of the an egg by shulchan aruch. world?” The Meiri teaches that לא הגדת ,beitzah is often pronounced Hashem replies is from הגדת The word .לי which also means “to בעי Hashem is .מגיד request.” This hints that the word the tefillos said at the Seder answering, “At the Seder will be answered.28 you didn’t pray to me by also on וגם אנכי .magid אנכי The passuk says (Bereishis Shavuos, when we read I didn’t hear your ,ה‘ אלקיך והוכח אברהם את אבימלך ,(21:25-26 I only hear ,בלתי היום .prayers על אדות באר המים אשר גזלו עבדי

28. Rebbe Leibele Eiger said that we eat eggs at the Seder to indicate that just as an egg becomes a chicken when it is warmed under a hen, similarly many great things can happen to us on this night, but we must bring warmth— our enthusiasm and joy — and then we will merit it. 74 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach your prayers on Rosh Nishtanah. As it states ונשמע קולו בבאו אל ,(Hashanah (which is called (Shemos 28:35 The sound was heard“ הקדש .(hayom when he entered the Hashem says, “I hear sanctuary…” your tefillos on Rosh quotes ויגד משה Hashanah, but you don’t The pray to me at the Seder or kabbalah sources that on Shavuos — two special asking Mah Nishtanah is times for tefillah. That’s the mesugal for having an open reason your bounty is heart for learning Torah. being stolen, and that you “Therefore, I made it the aren’t receiving the custom in my house that blessings you desire.” whoever comes to me for the Seder should say Mah Nishtanah, and I daven for מה נשתנה them that they should have The Belzer Rebbes an open heart for Torah. מה would clap their hands And after everyone says I say it as well.”29 ,נשתנה before saying Mah

29. Reb Shlomo Zalman Aurbach zt’l asked some children the day after the Seder, “Did you ask Mah Nishtanah?”

“Yes.”

“And what was the answer?”

”.עבדים היינו“

“Did you ask those questions last year?”

“We did.”

“And what was the answer last year?”

”.עבדים היינו ,The same“ Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 75

Nirtzeh and wine – but he never asked for help and he Nirtzeh means that after hoped that this time would we completed the Seder, be no different. we believe that Hashem is happy with our mitzvos. The Chozeh, with his We are also certain that we ruach hakodesh, knew about earned immense gains – Reb Shmuel’s predicament. with both spiritual and material blessings. The wealthy Reb Shlomo Konskuli z’l came to the To explain this, we Chozeh of Lublin for a begin with a story that brachah. The Chozeh told happened with Reb Shmuel him that Reb Shmuel Karov of Karov zt’l, a student of needs help for yom tov, and the Chozeh of Lublin zt’l. he should send him food. Reb Shmuel never asked Through Reb Shlomo for financial aid from his Konskuli’s actions, a fellow man. One erev delivery of scrumptious Pesach, he didn’t have foods arrived at Reb anything in his home – he Shmuel’s door moments didn’t even have matzah before Pesach. He was

“So, if you received an answer last year, why did you ask the same questions again this year?"

The children tried to explain in various ways.

Reb Shlomo Zalman said, “When I was eight years old, I walked with my father to the Kosel the morning after the Seder, and on the way home, Reb Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld zt'l asked me the same question: 'If you asked Mah Nishtanah last year, why did you ask it again this year?' But the difference between me and you is that when Reb Yosef Chaim asked me this question, I cried, and when I asked you this question, you tried to answer me in various ways…” 76 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach extremely happy to have explanation he gave was merited a salvation, and that the second Seder was that he didn’t have to break made with immense his kabbalah never to ask humility and with a broken for financial help. heart., This is what made the second Seder Reb Shmuel’s Seder was extraordinary. immensely joyful and uplifting. He thought he We never know what is never had such a good most precious to Hashem. Seder before. At times, a Seder we think to be terrible and not too The second night he successful is really was very tired, so he went considered to be most to sleep before the Seder. desired by Hashem. The When he awoke it was late, main objective is to try our and he had to rush through best and to believe that the Seder to get to the whatever level we attain afikomon before chatzos. He before or during the seder thought that the second we will merit all the Seder wasn’t as good as blessings that were the first one. available for us on that night. When he came to the Chozeh, the Chozeh said The rasha of the Haggadah As .מה העבודה הזאת לכם ,with his ruach hakadosh), “Let’s says) think about Reb Shmuel’s the Haggadah clarifies, the Sedarim: The first Seder rasha’s problem is that he for you, and“ ,לכם ולא לו ,was celebrated with a lot of says kavanah, but even so it not for him.” He thinks the wasn’t a perfect Seder The Seder is for others – for second Seder however, tzaddikim – but not for now that was special! No himself. He doesn’t believe one in the world made that his Seder could be such a wonderful and holy worthy and special to Seder like that one…” The Hashem. Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 77

The Beis Aharon zt’l “If someone doesn’t believe (Pesach p.85:) warns us that that on the Seder night he we shouldn’t make this can rise from the lowest same error. He writes, “The level to the highest level, Seder isn’t only for people he is the rasha of the who are on high, lofty Haggadah.” levels. It’s for every Yid, regardless of the level he is The Gemara (Pesachim מתחיל בגנות ומסיים ,on. One must believe 116.) says We begin with the“ ,בשבח ”…this disgrace [our slavery and Alexander chassidim our spiritual lowliness] and used to go to their Rebbe conclude with the praise for the Seder. It was one of [that Hashem redeemed us their largest gatherings of and brought us to His the year. All the chassidim service].” The Yismach wore special kittels that Yisroel zt’l says that this came with extra-large pattern repeats itself each pockets. One pocket held a year at the Seder. Even if bottle of wine for the four one was at a lowly level at cups and one pocket was the beginning of the Seder, for the matzah. when he concludes the Seder, he is in a higher One chassid (who was place. niftar a few years ago) remembered a Seder that Through performing was held in Alexander, by the mitzvos of the Seder, the Yismach Yisroel. He we climb to very great told the following: spiritual heights.

ואשא ,(When the Yismach It states (Shemos 19:4“ I carried“ ,אתכם על כנפי נשרים Yisroel came to the tish to begin the Seder, his face you on the wings of was white. He was quiet eagles…” Why does the for a few moments, and Torah mention specifically then he said in a loud voice, a non-kosher bird? To teach 78 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach us that someone who is brought him close to serve impure with sins Him through observing the automatically becomes mitzvos of the night pure by yetzias Mitzrayim, This is the translation and by celebrating the and deeper meaning of the Seder. to jump up to :פסח word levels that he couldn’t Similarly the Chasam reach the entire year.30 (תק“ף בתחילתו Sofer (Drashos writes, “Just as one is As a child, the Imrei obligated to imagine that Emes zy’a asked his father, he left Mitzrayim, so one the Sfas Emes zt’l, why we must imagine that he was wear a kittel at the Seder. an idol worshiper and now The Sfas Emes answered, [on this night] Hashem “Yom Tov we wear nicer

means when זבח פסח הוא לד ,Rebbe Shlomo Karliner zy'a taught .30 ,פסח הוא לה ,slaughters and overcomes his yetzer hara ,זבח ,a person he jumps up all the way up to Hashem's throne. The Chareidim teaches that when the malachim see the high levels Yidden reach and they ask, "Why do they deserve this? How did they reach the Kisei haKavod so easily?" The answer is, Hashem knows how difficult it for a Yid to choose good in this lowly world with so many temptations. Due to his challenges, his good deeds are spectacular, and enable a Yid to reach very high levels, so quickly.

Many use a radish or a potato for karpas. Radishes and potatoes grow in the ground. This suggests that even those who are symbolically beneath the ground, on a very low spiritual level, become elevated at the Seder.

a ,רעטיך The Beis Yisroel zt’l said, “All year round you’re worth a radish, [a Yiddish expression for something that doesn’t have much value]. But now you merited to be placed on the Seder table." Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 79 clothing and we don’t want “all generations,” Hashem them to get ruined. We takes us out of Mitzrayim wear a kittel to protect the (source of hardship). It states, ”to take them out“ ,להוציאם ”.clothing in future tense (although this Years later, the Imrei pasuk is discussing after they left Emes remembered what Mitzrayim). This is because his father told him, and he it is referring to every was certain that there was generation, because we some deeper message will also go out of hidden in his father’s Mitzrayim. words. As the Haggadah says, בכל דור ודור חייב אדם לראות את עצמו The Imrei Emes In every” ,כאילו הוא יצא ממצרים concluded that his father was alluding to the Pesach generation one is obligated seder when we rise to great to consider himself like he heights and become like a is leaving Mitzrayim.” The new person. We must be Sfas Emes zt’l says that one careful to retain this should imagine this, cleanliness and not tarnish because this is what occurs, our souls again. We each year. On Pesach, we therefore wear a kittel to leave our problems and ensure that this new level hardships behind. will remain with us. The Sfas Emes adds, Annual Salvations “According to the degree that one believes he’s leaving Mitzrayim, so will ליל ,(It states (Shemos 12:42 ”.it happen שמרים הוא לה‘ להוציאם מארץ מצרים... This night is” ,לדורותם awaited for by Hashem to As the Apter Rav zy’a take them out of Mitzrayim, writes, “When one says the ,אשר גאלנו וגאל את אבותינו ,in all generations.” The brachah Beis Aharon zt’l says that ‘Who redeemed us and this pasuk indicates that in Who redeemed our 80 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach forefathers…’ and believes Mitzrayim they made a that even in our generation Seder at night precisely the Hashem continues to way we make a Seder in redeem us, he will be saved our times, and they also from any kind of trouble.” told the story of yetzias Mitzrayim. They trusted We were redeemed that they will certainly from Mitzrayim because leave Mitzrayim. This is we had bitachon. When we what brought down have this trust, in our times, Hashem’s kindness, and we merit the redemption. caused their redemption. And just as we were The Meor Einayim (Tzav) redeemed then, we will be writes, “At the Yam Suf the redeemed in the future.”31 malachim prosecuted and said that the Yidden also worshiped avodah zarah. If The Rabbeinu b’Chaya so, why indeed were they (Shemos 12:13) writes, “The saved? He answers that in blood on the doorways

31. Reb Elyah Lopian zt'l says that he heard from a talmid chacham in Kelm that he was by his grandfather, the Malbushei Yom Tov for the Seder. Before the Haggadah, the Malbushei Yom Tov sat in his place for a few minutes with great emotion. Then he said, "Just as we are making the Seder now with our family, so too is the entire city is making the Seder, exactly in the same manner, with matzah and marror, etc. The entire country is making the Seder this way, and also the entire world. Do you know where we saw this Seder? We saw it by our fathers. They saw it from their fathers, going all the way back to the generations of the rishonim, emoraim, tanaim, until the people who left Mitzrayim and received the Torah. Hashem said to the generation that received the Torah You saw what I did in" אתם ראיתם אשר עשיתי למצרים,(Shemos 19:4) Mitzrayim." Rashi writes, 'It isn't a tradition that you received, it isn't just words that I am telling you. It isn't a testimony. Rather, you saw what I did in Mitzrayim." Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 81 didn’t prevent the plague wonders happen. from entering their home. Therefore, it is impossible Rather…whoever believed to count them. and trusted in Hakadosh Baruch Hu, and he wasn’t This can be the אילו לא הוציא ,afraid of Pharaoh and his translation of הקב"ה את אבותינו ממצרים הרי אנו ובנינו decrees, and he publicly If Hakadosh“ ,משועבדים sacrificed the Egyptian god…he is a tzaddik. He Baruch Hu wouldn’t take trusted in Hashem, so he us out of Mitzrayim, we deserves to be protected and our children would be from the mashchis enslaved…” We can (destroyer).” explain this to mean that we wouldn’t have a way to Similarly, the Seforno free ourselves from our present personal galus. But וככה ,Shemos 12:11) teaches) ,You through yetzias Mitzrayim“ ,תאכלו אותו מתניכים חגורים were prepared to travel... and through the mitzvos This shows you trusted we perform in connection without any doubt in the to this, and particularly redemption. They had this through our bitachon that emunah while they were Hashem will redeem us, still enslaved.” When we we can have yetzias will also show this trust, Mitzrayim each year. Hashem will save us from our present exile. Discussing the Miracles

The Sfas Emes (5638) Talking about the explains the pasuk (Iyov miracles, causes them to .happen again עושה גדולות עד אין חקר ונפלאות ,(9:10 Hashem does“ ,עד אין מספר great deeds… wonders, As the Noam Elimelech writes, “When (ד"ה ולמען without a number.” The zt’l (Bo reason there is no number Hakadosh Baruch Hu does to the wonders of Hashem a miracle for Bnei Yisroel… is because each year new in the future, in whatever 82 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach generation, when Bnei reason Zeresh told Haman Yisroel need [this miracle]… they should hang Hakadosh Baruch Hu Mordechai. She said that performs it for them, any other type of murder because Hashem’s they would try to carry compassion in this matter out, such as drowning, was already roused. This is burning in a furnace, etc., the translation of the pasuk, the Yidden would study about the miracles and ,ולמען תספר... אשר התעללתי במצרים ‘So you will tell what I did salvations that happened in Mitzrayim.’ When you to the Jewish nation in the tell [the miracles of yetzias past, and the learning itself Mitzrayim], it rouses that will cause the miracle to compassion again…”32 repeat itself. The only type of murder that did not The Igra d’Kalah (Ekev) bring about a miraculous writes in the name of salvation was hanging. tzaddikim that when a person needs a yeshuah, Hashem therefore made like refuah, hatzlachah, or to a brand-new miracle for cross a sea without harm, Mordechai and saved him. then he should discuss miracles that occurred in Chazal say, “Whoever this regard to the tzaddikim studies about a korban olah, of the past, and this will it is like he brought an cause the miracle to happen olah…” The Sfas Emes (5648) to him too. adds that when one studies about the slavery of The Igra d’Kalah Mitzrayim, it is like he was explains that this is the enslaved in Mitzrayim. It is

the more we ,כל המרבה לספר הרי זה משובח ,We say in the Haggadah .32 הרי ,speak about yetzias Mitzrayim, the better. The Arizal explains he will earn more kindness from Above. Because by ,זה משובח בחסדים speaking about the miracles, he is drawing them down again. Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 83 like it happened to him. olah…’ This also applies to Therefore, if it was bashert the story of yetzias for him to go through mitzrayim. Speaking about hardships, it is as though it is considered as if we he endured those hardships were there in galus.” simply by speaking about their slavery. A Great Eis Ratzon

The Sfas Emes writes, The Tiferes Shlomo zt’l “Hakadosh Baruch Hu sent writes, “It is amazing, the us to galus in Egypt…so many great things…that when people speak about occur in the upper worlds it, it will be instead of with the matzah, with the actual yesurim. As Chazal sipur yetzias Mitzrayim, and (Menachos 110) say, ‘Whoever with all the other mitzvos studies about a korban olah, the Jewish nation do at the it is like he brought an Seder on this night!”33

33. The Maharil writes, “Don’t take any of these matters lightly. Even if there are aspects of the Seder that seem insignificant to you, be wise and keep them, because nothing is superfluous.”

Even if one doesn’t know the great secrets of the Seder, they happen automatically when we go about the customs and halachos of the Seder.

Rebbe Shalom of Shatz zt'l said that this is the reason the kaarah is round. This signifies that we go around, doing all the customs and halachos of the Seder, and all the brachos and all the wonders that have to take place, will occur, automatically.

To explain this a drop more, the Rebbe of Shatz gave the following mashal:

Someone tied a donkey to a mill, and as the donkey walked circles around the mill, the wheat kernels were ground into flour. The donkey doesn’t understand what it is doing. If it could speak it 84 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach

Esther decreed a three night, there is immense joy day fast, which also in heaven. All the malachim included the Seder night. celebrate the many mitzvos That year, instead of eating klal Yisroel perform. matzah and maror, the Mordechai wanted to show Jewish nation fasted.34 heaven a world without the Jewish nation, a world Why did they have to without all the mitzvos of fast just then? They could the Seder. have fasted later on. All the joy and The Tiferes Shlomo zt’l celebration and bounty answers that Mordechai would be missing. This wanted to show Heaven would arouse Heaven to what it would look like if save the Jewish nation. Haman’s plan would be successful and the Jewish The Tiferes Shlomo nation would be destroyed. writes, “A great commotion Every year, on the Seder arose in heaven when no

would say, “This person is doing tzaar baalei chaim! Why is he having me walk round and around for no reason, without getting anywhere? I understand that I must serve my master when we go someplace, but why he is taking me around in circles?"

The donkey doesn’t realize that it is accomplishing very much with each time it goes around.

The same is by the Seder. We don’t understand what we’re doing with the Seder plate and with all the other customs and halachos of the Seder, but we still go through the traditions of the Seder happily, and this process accomplishes great matters, and brings us amazing brachos.

ויעבר The Gemara (Megillah 15.) teaches that this is the meaning of .34 Mordechai transgressed…” He transgressed the laws of“ ,מרדכי Pesach, because he declared a fast day. Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 85 one made a Seder that imprisoned within four night. The malachim asked, high walls. If there’s a tiny “What’s happening? breach in one of the walls, [Where is all the spirituality he can hammer away at and bounty that comes to that aperture; widen the the world when the Jewish breach, until he is able to people make the Seder?’ escape. The Seder night They were told that the provides us with that small Jewish people didn’t make opening. Throughout the the Seder that year]… This demonstrated to Heaven year, everyone has that if Haman’s plan “fortified walls” succeeds, and there surrounding him, which he wouldn’t be a Jewish can’t break through. For people, chalilah, the entire some people it’s lacking world would cease to parnassah; for others it’s exist.” health issues, and other forms of tzaros, rachmana Reb Eliyahu Gutmacher litzlan. People feel trapped; zt’l answered that Mordechai and Esther they don’t see a way out. decreed a fast on the night At the Seder, there’s a crack of the Seder because they in those fortified walls. We wanted to take advantage can pound on the gap (by of the greatest eis ratzon of taking advantage of these holy the year to annul Haman’s times), the breach will open decrees. Their tefillos at that wide, and everything can time were immediately change. Even one’s mazal answered, and indeed, can change for the better Haman was hung on the on this night. This is the second day of Pesach. reason Mordechai and Reb Eliyahu Gutmacher Esther wanted their three- describes the specialness of day fast to include this this night with a mashal: night – a special time for Consider a person tefillah. 86 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach

in the Haggadah אחד The Bnei Yissaschar zt’l should once passed through the be different?” home of a simple person on the Seder night, and The Bnei Yissacher told heard the baal habayis read the chassidim who were with him, “This Yid took כנגד ארבע בנים :the Haggadah the four children of the דברה תורה אחד חכם, ואחד רשע, ואחד This simpleton Haggadah and made them ....תם into kriyas Shema.”35 אחד pronounced protractedly and forcefully, in the manner people say When people repeated in kriyas Shema. this story to Rebbe אחד Yehoshua of Belz zy’a, he became very excited, but The Bnei Yissaschar he didn’t explain why. His knocked at his door and son, Rebbe Yissacher Dov asked the baal habayis why of Belz zy’a, explained his .that way אחד he said father’s happiness:

The man replied, “My There are matters that father told me that one are dependent on one’s mazal. Among them are אחד should stretch the word when saying Shema. Why wisdom, wealth, and

35. There is indeed an association between the Haggadah, the four מעשה בר' אליעזר ור' יהושע ור' :sons, and Shema. We say in the Haggadah אלעזר בן עזריה ור' עקיבא ור' טרפון שהיו מסבין בבני ברק...עד שבאו תלמידיהם ואמרו להם רבותינו, A story of Reb Eliezer, Reb Yehoshua, Reb" ,הגיע זמן קריאת שמע של שחרית Elazar ben Azaryah, Reb Akiva, and Reb Tarfon were reclining [at the Seder] in Bnei Brak…until their students came and said, ‘Our teachers, the time to read Shema of Shacharis, of the morning, has come.’"

ש'אינו יודע לשאול (2) ח'כם (is roshei teivos for the four children: (1) (3 שחרית On the Seder night we seek to instill in our children of .ר'שע (4) ת'ם .ה' אחד all levels the awareness that Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 87 children. What should a A chassid of Rebbe person do if he was born Yechiel Yehoshua of Biala with a mazal to be poor, zt’l waited many years for unwise, or childless, and children. When the Rebbe the like? How can he went to draw the water for to make matzos, the ,מים שלנו change his destiny? It is written in sefarim that when chassid went over to the in kriyas Shema, Rebbe and requested a אחד one says he can change his mazal. brachah for children. The The Bnei Yissaschar Rebbe advised him to revealed that kriyas Shema daven for children right is also during the Seder before Mah Nishtanah. when reciting the paragraph of the four sons., Thus, at But the chassid rushed the Seder one has the through his Seder (because potential to change his he wanted to attend the Rebbe’s mazal. Seder after he finished his own) and he forgot to daven for children. When he came to the Rebbe’s tisch, the Rebbe כאן הבן שואל asked him, “Why didn’t It states (Pesachim 116.), you daven for children?” “They pour him a second and The chassid utilized ,וכאן הבן שואל ,cup of wine this is where the child whatever was left of the asks…” The Beis Aharon night to pray for children, (p.79:) explains that now and that year he had his every Yid can request from salvation. his Father in heaven anything he wants. The Rebbe of Alexander (Akeidas Yitzchak) zt’l said that can also be by Mah Nishtanah one can כאן הבן שואל at this point pray for children and one ,כאן ,translated .can pray for good children ,הבן שואל ,of the Haggadah .כאן הבן שואל ,one can ask for children. As it states 88 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach

I know of a yungerman reminded himself that it is who didn’t have children in parashas Bo. He gave for many years. One of over the vort of theOr today’s tzaddikim advised Hachaim in parashas Bo to him to study Hagadah shel his shiur, which says that Pesach, which he did. He by speaking about yetzias studied it with the rishonim, Mitzrayim, one merits and soon afterwards he children. came to say that Hashem performed a miracle for Ten months later he them. The Rebbe was also bore his first child. surprised that the segulah Shevi’i shel Pesach worked so quickly. The The seventh day of .והגדת לבנך ,It states Or HaChaim HaKadosh Pesach is mesugal for teaches, telling the story of attaining emunah. Rebbe yetzias Mitzrayim is mesugal Mendel Riminover zt’l that one day you will be writes, “I heard from a able to tell the story to your student of Rebbe Elimelech own children. of Lizensk zt’l who said in the name of his teacher, There was a dayan who Rebbe Elimelech, that the didn’t have children for most ideal time to attain four years after his emunah sheleimah is the wedding. In Elul, he was night of the seventh day of giving his weekly shiur on Pesach. At this time, also Or HaChaim Hakados. He strengthen your connection was looking for the vort with holy tzaddikim, regarding bearing children. because that will help you He thought that it was in attain emunah sheleimah. by the This is because about this ,כי תבוא parashas ,(day it states (Shemos 14:31 ,ארמי אובד אבי discussion of They“ ,ויאמינו בה' ובמשה .which we read at the Seder When he didn’t find the Or believed in Hashem and in HaChaim there, he Moshe.” Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 89

By kriyas Yam Suf it right to take it, since they They worked for the Mitzrayim for so“ ,ויאמינו 'בה ,states believed in Hashem.” It many years.) Saying that you seems that before kriyas want to borrow, when you Yam Suf their emunah really want to keep it, is wasn’t perfect. also something that is done by those who don’t have The Drashos HaRan full power and have no (Drush 11) explains that the other way to get the money. Jewish nation had two questions that disturbed These were their two their emunah: (1) Why did questions. they tell Pharaoh that they are leaving for only three But then they saw kriyas days? They should have Yam Suf, they understood told him the truth; they are that Hashem wanted leaving forever. (Especially Pharoah and his army to after makas bechoros when chase the Jewish nation Pharaoh was ready to send them and drown in the sea. out for good.) Using tricks Pharaoh wouldn’t have and saying “We are going chased after them had the only for three days” when Jewish nation told Pharaoh you are planning to go for that they are leaving and longer is generally done by never coming back. It was people who are afraid, who the fact that they said that aren’t fully in control. But they are going only for Hashem was taking them three days, and now he out of Mitzrayim, so why discovered that they were was this scheme necessary? going for longer, which spurred Pharoah to chase (2) Why did they tell the them. Egyptians that they want to borrow their clothing, Furthermore, the gold utensils, etc. They Egyptians wouldn’t be should have said that they interested in chasing after are taking them. (They had a them if the nation asked 90 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach them to give them their perfect day, the day Bnei gold and silver ornaments. Yisroel sang shirah.” But since they told them that they were only The Midrash states, borrowing it, and now it Nachshon ben Aminadov seemed that they aren’t was first to jump into the coming back, this roused Yam Suf. The water reached their anger, and they went his nostrils. He shouted, Save“ ,הושיעני כי באו מים עד נפש .to retrieve their wealth These two “untruths” was me because the water is to enable the great miracle smothering my soul,” and of kriyas Yam Suf to occur, that is when the sea split. and with it the destruction Tzaddikim say that the of the Mitzrim. lesson of this yom tov is to Now, everything made serve Hashem with mesirus and they nefesh (as they did by the Yam ,ויאמינו 'בה ,sense believed in Hashem. Suf) and then miracles will happen to you. Our goal however is to trust and to believe in The Tzemech Tzedek Hashem without asking zt’l said: “Shvi’i shel Pesach any questions at all, even is Rosh Hashanah for when things don’t make mesirus nefesh.” sense to us. Because we Also, the Reishis know that we are in good Chachmah (Shaar Ahavah 8:6) hands, and everything is writes that the lesson of the best way it can be. Shevi’i shel Pesach is to Shevi’i shel Pesach is a have mesirus nefesh, and very special time. The Beis then miracles will occur. Aharon zt’l (p.93:) writes, Rebbe Michel of “The six days of Pesach are Zlotchev zy’a teaches: a preparation for the seventh day, the primary When a person serves day of Pesach. It is the most Hashem beyond his natural Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 91 limits ¬– as this happened, the middas hadin is when they entered the sea preventing… The solution with self-sacrifice – Hashem is that the nation should will act with him beyond fortify themselves with the rules of nature and will emunah with a complete perform miracles for him.36 heart. They should go into the sea even before it splits, having bitachon that I will The Or HaChaim perform a miracle for Hakadosh (Shemos 14:14) them… This will generate writes, “Hashem said to the miracle, and the sea Why are‘ ,מה תצעק אלי ,Moshe will split …” you praying to me? … I also want to perform a miracle [to split the sea] The Chozeh of Lublin but they aren’t worthy, and zt’l says: The miracles of

36. The Midrash says that when the Jewish nation were crossing the Yam Suf, angels in heaven were prosecuting, saying the Yidden don't deserve to be saved.

The Sfas Emes zt'l asks, could it be that at this point, after Hashem performed the ten makos and also kriyas Yam Suf, the Jewish nation wouldn't be saved?

The Sfas Emes replies that the Yidden would certainly be saved. The only question was whether they would be saved in their own merit, or because of Hashem's chesed. Hashem wanted the Jewish nation to be deserving of their salvation. Indeed, in the merit of our mesirus nefesh we were worthy of kriyas Yam Suf.

The Avnei Nezer asks, just as Hashem told the Yidden in Mitzrayim to do milah and the korban Pesach so they could merit yetzias Mitzrayim, Hashem could have given mitzvos to the Jewish nation at the Yam Suf, and they would merit the miracle.

He answers, no other merits were needed, since they had the merit of mesirus nefesh. 92 Torah Wellsprings - Pesach kriyas Yam Suf are did all the waters in the commemorated twice a world have to split? year: once on Shevi’i shel Pesach, the day the miracle The Sar Shalom of Belz occurred, and the other zt’l explains that this time is when we read teaches us that until today, on Shabbos the waters split, and בשלח parashas Shirah. This is hinted at in salvations come to Bnei ,because Yisroel. Particularly ,(אז ישיר of) אז the word means teaching, and salvations that are אל"ף refers to learning and associated with kriyas Yam teaching the parashah of the Suf, like shidduchim and week, and we learn parashas parnassah. hints to the 'ז The .בשלח seventh day of Pesach. The Ateres Tzvi writes, “When the sea split, it The Chozeh writes that unlocked salvations for all every year, on these two future generations — for occassions, Hashem sends individuals and for the bounty and immense greater public. Even if the compassion to the Jewish gates of parnassah or the nation. gates of shidduchim are chas veshalom closed, one should The Midrash (Shemos pray at this special eis Rabba 21:6) asks, it should ratzon by kriyas Yam Suf… the sea and Hashem will save Bnei ,ויבקע הים ,have stated split. Why does the passuk Yisroel when they shout to ”.that the water him ,ויבקע המים ,say split? To teach us that all waters in the world split. The Beis Aharon zt’l Oz) שירת הים writes, “The What was the purpose Yashir) has everything in it: of this miracle? The Yam what was and what will Suf split, so the nation be. All redemptions and all could pass through. Why concepts are found inside Torah Wellsprings - Pesach 93 the shirah. If a person says his level, everything will it with all his heart, with be amended for his body mesirus nefesh, according to and for his soul.”37

37. A song has high notes and low notes. This reminds us to sing with the ups and downs of life, because even the hardships are for the good.

The enemy (Pharaoh) said I will chase" ,...אמר אויב ארדוף אשיג ,We say after them and I will catch them…" Why are these words in the shirah? It doesn't seem to be anything to sing about. The answer is, after we saw the miracles and we become aware that everything is for the good, we can sing for the difficult moments, too.