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104• גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • English Supplement - Pesach 5776 • Harav Pinches Friedman • Yaakov the “Wise” Son Defeated Eisov the “Evil” Son by Feeding Yitzchok the Afikomen on the Night of Pesach • Translation Dr. Baruch Fox •

n honor of Pesach, the time of our themselves. Rashi comments: ‘the people occurred so as to enable Yaakov to come freedom and redemption from the bowed’.—on account of the tidings of the Yaakov Avinu Received the Blessings and snatch the blessings. Nevertheless, I redemption and the coming into the land on the Night of Pesach examine the matter of the wise son and and the tidings of the sons which they would wide open with a view to the distant fu- exile in Egypt, it is fitting for us to have. Let us begin our journey of enlighten- turehis spiritual,— envisioning sanctified, that his pure descendants, eyes were sons, the narrator of the Haggodah states: It seems that the provided a - the children of Yisroel, were destined to be Whatthe evil does son. the Regarding wise son thesay? first ”What of the are four the clear answer to the wicked son without the cle that took place on the night of Pesach released from the bondage and slavery of testimonies, the statutes, and the laws which need to blunt his teeth: “You shall say, ‘It is manyment byyears examining before the magnificent from Egyptmira the Egyptians on that sacred night. Hashem, our G-d, has commanded you?“ And a Pesach offering to Hashem.’ Upon hearing — a miracle that left its imprint on the na- On that holy night, near his death, you, too, should tell him the laws of Pesach: this, the people rejoiced and bowed down”. tion of Yisroel for all future generations. We Yitzchok sought one of his sons to inherit ”It is forbidden to eat ‘Afikomon’ after the They rejoiced at the news of the sons that are speaking of how Yaakov Avinu received the tremendous blessings that his father, korban Pesach.“ they were destined to have. If so, why did the blessings from his father, Yitzchok, by Avrohom, had given him. Hakodosh Ba- Regarding the statement: ”It is for- the author of the Haggodah change the an- obeying his mother Rivkeh’s instructions. ruch Hu said to Avrohom (Bereishis 12:2): bidden to eat ’ Afikomon’ after the korban swer that is written in the Torah? Not only Eisov almost received the blessings from “The blessings belong to you”. As we shall Pesach,“ this can be understood in light of does he not give that answer, instead he Yitzchok by deception, as it is written see, Yitzchok had his reasons for wanting the Mishneh (Pesochim 119b). ”Ein Mafti- advises to blunt the son’s teeth and to re- (Bereishis 25: 27): “Eisov became one who to give the beroches to his eldest son, Eisov rin”,— means that we do not make any re- spond with the harsh words: “Had he been knows hunting”. Rashi adds the following (ibid. 27:2) and he said, ”See, now, I have quests; ”Achar HaPesach”, —after the meat there, he would not have been redeemed.” commentary: He became adept at trapping aged; I know not the day of my death. Now of the korban Pesach has been eaten at sharpen, if you please your gear, your sword the conclusion of the meal; ”Afikomen“,— and your bow, and go out to the field and means taking out food, i.e. it is prohibited hunt game for me. Then make me delicacies to eat after the korban Pesach has been such as I love and bring it to me and I will consumed, so that the taste of the korban eat, so that my soul may bless you before I Pesach remains in one’s mouth. The com- die.“ mentaries have raised the obvious ques- Eisov’s deception nearly succeeded. tion: Yet, Hakodosh Baruch Hu, ultimately ar- Of all the haloches, why did the author ranged to prevent the blessings from fall- ing into Eisov’s hands, due to the intrigue one as the answer to the wise son: “It is for- of our mathriach Rivkeh. She ordered of the Haggodah specifically choose this Yaakov to heed her words of divine inspi- Pesach?” ration (Bereishis 27: 8): “So now, my son, biddenWhy to Did eat the ‘Afikomon’ Author ofafter the the Haggodah korban heed my voice to that which I command you. Change the Answer Given to the Wicked Go now to the flock and fetch for me from Son? there two choice young kids of the goats, In honor of Pesach, I would like to offer and I will make of them delicacies for your a new explanation, as to why the holy nar- father, as he loves.” Rashi explains in the rator of the Haggodah responds to the wise name of the Pirkei D’Rebbi Eliezer (Chap- ter 32): certainly, two kid goats was not examine the manner in which the author Yitzchok’s usual fare; rather, it must have ofson the specifically Haggodah in addresses this manner: the wickedFirst, let son. us been Pesach; one was used for his Pesach The wicked son says: “What is this service offering and the other was used to make to you? ‘to you’, but not to himself. Since he The Bnei Yissoschor (Nissan 5:14) asks, his father by asking questions that would delicacies. Thus, in the midst of the “seder” excludes himself from the group, he denies concerning the author of the Haggodah’s make him appear to be unusually pious. He night, Yaakov entered, clothed in Eisov’s everything. You, too, should blunt his teeth, response to the wicked son: “Had he been would ask, for example, how tithes should be and say to him: ”It is because of this that there, he would not have been redeemed.” taken from salt and straw... he said to his father, Yitzchok (ibid. 19): It Hashem did so for me when I went out of - This titanic battle between the forces isfine I, Eisov garments. your firstborn With fear I have and trepidation,done as you Egypt, ‘for me,’ but not for him. Had he been thor of the Haggodah himself established of sanctity and profanity, kedusheh and told me; rise up, please, sit and eat of my there, he would not have been redeemed.” the Furtherformula: on “in in each the Haggodah,and every thegenera au- tumah, between Yaakov and Eisov, took game that your soul may bless me. Yitzchok The question that bothers the com- tion, a person is obligated to view himself place on the night of Pesach. On that night said to his son, ”How is it that you were so mentaries is well known. The source for as if he has gone out of Egypt... not only did Yitzchok Avinu sat at the head of his table, quick to find, my son?“ And he said, ”Because the evil son’s question is found in parshas Hakodosh Baruch Hu redeem our ancestors, conducted the “seder” according to the dic- Hashem, your G-d, arranged it for me.“ And Bo (12:26)”And it shall be that when your but He redeemed us, as well, with them”. He tates of halocheh, and savored the taste of Yitzchok said to Yaakov, ”Come close, if you children will say to you, ’What is this service clearly states that all of us were included Gan Eden from the meat of the Pesach and please, so I can touch you, my son; are you, to you?’ You shall say, ’It is a Pesach offer- with our ancestors during the exile in Chagigah offerings that his son Yaakov pre- indeed, my son Eisov or not?” ing to Hashem, Who skipped over the houses Egypt; hence, this wicked son was also in pared for him. The possuk informs us that What, in fact, caused Yitzchok to sus- of Bnei Yisroel in Egypt, while He smote the Egypt. So, how can the author of the Hag- Yitzchok’s eyes were blinded on purpose pect that maybe the person standing be-

Egyptians, but He spared our households,’“ godah state that had he been there, he (ibid. 27, 1): and his vision was dimmed. fore him was someone other than Eisov? and the people bowed and prostrated would not have been redeemed? Rashi explains: “His eyes dimmed”—this ___

English Supplement - Pesach 5776 • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • 103 the two names Hashem and Elokim. maintain his high level of devotion, believ- Yaakov the “Wise” Son Defeated Eisov the “Evil” Son by Let us embellish this idea a bit more. ing wholeheartedly that Hashem Elokim We now realize that Yaakov Avinu received would provide him with: ‘food and cloth-

Feeding Yitzchok the Afikomen on the Night of Pesach the blessings from Yitzchok on the night ing’, in the merit of the blessings that he re- ___ of Pesach in the merit of his action of self- ceived from Yitzchok by employing these The answer is revealed by Rashi: Yitzchok found in the commentaries’ explanation realized that Eisov did not usually utter and focus on a subtle linguistic difference Hashem in his statement: “because Hashem, mentions the same two names “Vehayu sacrifice, his mention of the two names of two names. This is why he specifically the name of G-d; and this person had said, that exists between the formulas employed your G-d, arranged it for me”. Hashem Li LeElokim”, that he mentioned ”Hashem, your G-d, arranged it.“ With his by these two sons. The wicked son asks: suspicion aroused, he asked to touch him “what is this service to you?” customarily mention Hashem’s name in For, he also knew that Eisov did not in his self-sacrificing act of devotion, while and see if this person was, indeed, Eisov. We deduce that he truly intends to ex- conversation. Therefore, he was taking a was praying, as Rashi explains, that his off- confronting Yitzchok. Furthermore, he At that moment, the entire heavenly clude himself by saying ‘Lachem’,—mean- spring should not follow the path of Eisov court stood entranced, holding their col- ing to you, inferring that it is not to him. the ruse and realize that he was not Eisov. who forgot the name of Hashem. significant risk that Yitzchok would detect lective breath, to see if the wicked Eisov Using a somewhat similar formula, the Nonetheless, due to his extreme devo- would triumph with his deception, or if wise son asks: “what are the testimonies, tion to Hashem, he could not refrain from giving Hashem credit for his apparent suc- The Wicked Son Represents Eisov the pure and holy Yaakov would succeed the statutes and the laws which Hashem, Who Denied Hashem the G-d of Why do we cess — despite the element of self-sacri- in extracting the precious from the pro- our G-d, has commanded you?” Yisroel fane. Yitzchok’s blessings were at stake: not make a similar inference from the wise “the dew of the heavens and the fat of the son’s use of the word? ‘eschem’,—to you At this point, it is not far-fetched to sug- fice. earth”. Would Yaakov succeed in salvaging and not to him?” gest that this realization is implied in the Let us follow this line of reasoning to the sacred blessings from the hands of the An answer to this question is provided following response from Yitzchok. When explain the question the Haggodah attri- wicked Eisov? in the sefer Kol Eliyahu in the name of the it is ultimately revealed to Yitzchok that butes to the wicked son: “What does the A hearty sigh of relief was heard, from Gr”a, zt”l. He points out that the wise son Yaakov stepped in to accept the blessings wicked son say. ‘What is this service to you?“ those in the heavens and from those down mentions the name of Hakodosh Baruch in Eisov’s place and, not withstanding, This question is designed to represent the on earth, when they ultimately witnessed Hu: “what are the testimonies, the statutes, mentioned the two names of the G-d of wicked Eisov, who failed to employ the how Yaakov bowed his head before his fa- and the laws which Hashem, our G-d, has Yisroel, at the risk of Yitzchok exposing his name of Hashem and mocked the perfor- ther, Yitzchok, who placed his holy hands commanded you?” So, it is clearly evident deception, Yitzchok proclaims (Bereishis mance of mitzvos. Attesting to this fact, the on Yaakov’s head, and with a clear voice possuk states (Bereishis 25:34): “and Eisov that reverberated throughout creation, be- belittled the birthright”. Rashi teaches us gan to solemnly bless the young man (ibid. that this possuk attests to Eisov’s wicked- 28): “and may G-d give you of the dew of the ness and disregard for service of Hashem. heavens and of the fatness of the earth, and Therefore, the author of the Haggodah ex- abundant grain and wine. Peoples will serve plains: “‘to you’, but not to himself. Since he you, and regimes will prostrate themselves excludes himself from the group, he denies to you; be a lord to our brothers, and your everything.” mother’s sons will prostrate themselves to The answer to the Bnei Yissoscher’s you; may those who curse you be cursed, question regarding the Haggodah’s re- and those who bless you be blessed.” sponse to the wicked son is now clear. It This miraculous event involving Yaakov says in the Haggodah: You too, should blunt Avinu, the source of kedusheh in the peo- his teeth, and say to him: ”It is because of ple of Yisroel, took place in the middle of this that Hashem did so for me when I went the “seder”, as Yitzchok Avinu was describ- out of Egypt“, ‘for me,’ but not for him. Had ing to his son, Yaakov, the miracles and he been there, he would not have been re- wonders that Hakodosh Baruch Hu will deemed.” perform on behalf of Yisroel in the future, After all, even the wicked son was during the exodus from Egypt. among our ancestors and was redeemed Just as Yaakov received the blessings from Egypt. Yet, as we have explained, on Pesach night due to the efforts of his the author of the Haggodah is referring to righteous mother, Rivkeh Imeinu, so, too, that when he goes on to employ the word 27:33): ‘who, then, is the one who caught Eisov, the wicked son, and his descendants. the exodus from Egypt, which we celebrate ‘eschem’, he has no intention of excluding the game, brought it to me, and I ate of all They are the ones who mock the mitz- on the “seder” night, occurred in the merit himself from the community of Yisroel. when you had not yet come, and I blessed vos and ask brazenly “what is this service of the righteous women of that generation. The wicked son, on the other hand, makes him? He shall also be blessed!’ Our blessed sages express this idea in the no mention of Hashem. Therefore, when he According to Rashi, this statement in- Therefore, he is answered in an appropriate to you, specifically to you, and not to him. Gemoreh (Soteh 11b) as follows: “in the employs the word ‘lachem’,—he is clearly dicates that with this realization, Yitzchok fashion: “It is because of this that Hashem merit of the righteous women our ancestors excluding himself from the rest of Yisroel; acquiesced to the blessings that had been did so for me when I went out of Egypt“, were redeemed from Egypt”. hence, ‘lachem velo lo’,—to you and not to delivered to Yaakov. ‘for me,’ but not for him. Had he been there, him. This coincides beautifully with the he would not have been redeemed”. This is precisely the difference between words of Yaakov Avinu’s prayer in par- truth, Eisov and his descendants were not The Wise Son Mentions the Two Yaakov Avinu and Eisov HaRasha. When Vayeitzei (28:20): “Yaakov took a exiled in Egypt; and had they been For,there, in Names Hashem Elokim Just as Yaakov Avinu entered Yitzchok’s tent to re- vow, saying, ‘If G-d will be with me, and they surely would not have been redeemed, Yaakov Ovinu Did as He Stood Be- ceive his father’s blessings on Pesach night, He will guard me on this way that I am go- due to their heresy and denial of Hashem. fore Yitzchok he mentioned the name of Hashem in his ing; and He will give me bread to eat and Continuing on along this path of rea- response to Yitzchok: “because Hashem, clothes to wear; and I will return in peace soning, let us address the strong question This, requires further explanation. Why, your G-d, arranged it for me”. This, aroused to my father’s house, and Hashem will be raised concerning the manner in which the don’t we mention this in the Haggodah — Yitzchok’s suspicion as to the identity of the a G-d to me’...“ Here Rashi comments: ‘that Haggodah, chooses to reply to the wicked how Yaakov Avinu miraculously received Hashem’s name will rest upon me from be- son. The Torah’s reply to the evil son is: “You the blessings on the night of Pesach? Let us in the habit of mentioning Hashem’s name ginning to end, that no defect be found in my shall say, ‘It is a Pesach offering to Hashem, propose a novel interpretation of how the inperson conversation; speaking whereas,to him. For, on Eisovthis occasion, was not offspring’. Who skipped over the houses of Bnei Yisroel Haggodah expreses the questions of the Yaakov mentioned the two names: Hashem We can now interpret his prayer based in Egypt, while He smote the Egyptians, but wise son and the wicked son. The wise son Elokim. These, in fact, are the same two on our previous discussion. He merited He spared our households.’“ Yet, the Hag- represents Yaakov Avinu, who obeyed his names employed by the wise son: ‘which Yitzchok’s blessings by mentioning the godah advises to blunt the evil son’s teeth mother’s instructions. On the other hand, Hashem, our G-d, has commanded you’. This two names Havaya Elokim, despite the per- and exclude him from the general commu-

the evil son alludes to Eisov, who denied all is an indication that the wise son truly al- sonal risk involved. Therefore, he prayed nity of Yisroel. Why did he deviate from the that mattered. ludes to Yaakov Avinu and his descendants to Hashem that he should not stray while response supplied by the Torah? ___ Substantiation for this idea can be that follow in his footsteps, by mentioning in Lavan’s house and should be able to

102 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • English Supplement - Pesach 5776 Yaakov the “Wise” Son Defeated Eisov the “Evil” Son by As we all know, ”it is prohibited to eat after serves to remind us of the tremendous mir- acle experienced by Yaakov Ovinu on the

Feeding Yitzchok the Afikomen on the Night of Pesach remains in one’s mouth. Hence, due to this night of Pesach, his receiving the blessings. ___ cleverconsuming ploy, theYitzchok “Afikomon” was not so permittedthat its taste to At this juncture, one might inquire as partake of Eisov’s food; and, as a result, did to why it was even necessary for Yaakov to We can now suggest that the holy Torah Haggodah as a means of giving praise and not bless him. This is the lesson conveyed is addressing a who has been trapped thanks to Hakodosh Baruch Hu. by the : Yaakov cleverly brought to remind us of the korban Pesach. We have in the wicked Eisov’s net and has strayed to Yaakov Avinu, the wise son, merited - alreadyfeed Yitzchok learned “Afikomon,” from Rashi, whichciting the is meantPirkei the point that he asks his father a question Yitzchok’s blessings for mentioning the two ture that it was now prohibited for him to D’ Eliezer, that Yaakov prepared two typical of Eisov HaRasha: ‘what is this ser- names Hashem Elokim in his statement: eathim from “Afikomon,” the dishes hinting that hadto him been by prepared this ges kid goats for Yitzchok — one for the Pesach vice to you? To support and console the par- “because Hashem, your G-d, arranged it for- for him by Eisov. offering and one for the Chagigah offering. ents of this child, so that they do not give up me”. Similarly, the wise son in the Haggodah Sefer Einei HaEidoh (Toldos), written hope of his returning to the fold, the Torah employs the same two names: “which by the great Rabbi Eliyahu hakohen of Izmir, במרמ”ה ”advises: “You shall say, ”It is a Pesach offer- Hashem, our G-d, commanded you.” On the the author of Shevet Musser, he presents a Hence,We italso would learned seem that that the the word “Afikomon ing to Hashem, Who skipped over the houses other hand, the evil son, Eisov, neglects to wonderful allusion in the name of the com- alludeswas superfluous. to the fact that Yaakov fed Yitzchok of Bnei Yisroel in Egypt, while He smote the mention Hashem’s name, because he de- mentaries. The numerical value of the word Egyptians, but He spared our households.“ nies the truth; he excludes himself from the which appears in the possuk to teach us that cleverly, is identical to anything“Afikomon.” else Apparently, after consuming even withoutthe meat the of במרמ”ה .community and forfeits the blessings. Yaakov acted -This “Afikomon,” Yitzchok could not have eaten .אפיקומן why it was necessary for Hakodosh Baruch the numerical value of the word It is seemingly difficult to comprehend Hu to skip over the households of Bnei then is the message that Yitzchok conveys where that the korban Pesach itself is re- Has the same בא אחיך במרמ”ה -Yisroel, while smiting the Egyptians. Cer to Eisov: “your brother acted cleverly, indi- his korban Pesach. (We do not find any אפיקומן Numerical Value as -As Rabbi Before proposing a beautiful idea to re :אפיקומן tainly, Hakodosh Baruch Hu, is Omnipotent cating that he brought him - Yochanan explained in the Midrash Yaakov ferred to as “Afikomon.”) - We still must provide an explanation for applied his Torah wisdom to feed his father the custom of breaking the middle matzah and could have exclusively killed the first born of Yisroel without resorting to the the response of the Haggodah for the wise insolve two, all knownof these as issues, “yachatz.” let us brieflyThe Shulchan discuss born Egyptians without harming the first act of skipping? We can explain the matter son: “And you, too, should tell him the laws of partaking of any further delicacies. Thanks Oruch explains the procedure as follows based on the following possuk (Shemos Pesach: It is forbidden to eat ‘Afikomon’ after to“Afikomon,” this wisdom: thereby “he took prohibiting your blessing.“ him from (O.C. 473, 6): he takes the middle matzah 12:21) “Moshe called to all the elders of the korban Pesach.“ We now understand the Haggodah’s and divides it in two; one part is given to Yisroel and said to them, ”Draw away and one of those in attendance for safeguard- take for yourselves one of the flock for your families, and slaughter the Pesach-offering.” tablecloth; the other portion of the middle Rashi (ibid. 6) explains that they were matzahing as the is “Afikomon”;placed between it is placedthe two under remain the- immersed in idolatry and it was necessary ing whole matzohs. The Magen Avrohom for them to separate themselves from that writes in the name of the Maharil, and this practice. is the custom, that the larger portion is hid- Their idolatry, however, was not by choice but by coercion; therefore, Hakodosh I saw the following in the sefer Chamra Baruch Hu skipped over the households of Toveh,den as thewritten “Afikomon.” by the great Rabbi Avrohom Bnei Yisroel and devised a path of teshuvah Simchah of Barnov, zy”a: the reason we split for them. the matzeh into a small piece and a big piece This is truly a source of encouragement is to represent Eisov, the bigger, older son and consolation for the parents of such a and Yaakov, the smaller, younger son. He is alluding to a point made in the ask heretical questions such as: “What is sefer Hamanhig (69); the three matzehs wicked son. For although he has begun to this service to you?, they should not give which we set out on the night of the seder up hope. Instead they must keep in mind: represent that just as Hakodosh Baruch Hu spared Avrohom, Yitzchok and Yaakov. Accord- the idolatrous members of Yisroel while ingly, the middle matzeh corresponds to smiting the Egyptians, by devising a path of teshuvah for them, so, too, this wicked son split the middle matzeh into two, a bigger can make amends by means of teshuvah. intention. He formulated the wise son’s pieceYitzchok and Avinu. a smaller Therefore, piece. This we specificallyalludes to In response to this encouraging news: Let us begin by examining Yitzchok’s re- the fact that Yitzchok Avinu had two sons, “and the people bowed and prostrated them- mark to Eisov when he returned to receive mentioning the two names Hashem Elokim: Yaakov the younger and smaller one and selves”. Rashi comments: that they were the blessings (Bereishis 27:35): he said, ”Whatquestion are on the the testimonies, night of Pesach the statutes, specifically and Eisov, the older and bigger one. -the laws which Hashem, our G-d, has com- Now, it is an accepted tenet that the To (במרמ”ה) encouraged by the news that their children ”Your brother came with cleverness would eventually perform teshuvah; that is and took your blessing.” The following elu- manded you? He did so to invoke the bless- rah can be interpreted in many different cidation is supplied by the Medrish (B.R. truly a reason to rejoice. ings that Yaakov received from Yitzchok on ways and has seventy different facets, “yesh 67:4): cleverness implies that he applied The Haggodah, however, is addressing the night of Pesach in the merit of mention- shivim ponim la’Toreh.” As such, I would like an entirely different wicked son. He is al- the wisdom of his Torah studies. ing these same two names: which Hashem, to present a diametrically opposite inter- luding to the truly wicked son, Eisov and his your G-d, arranged for me. Consequently pretation. descendants, the children of Edom. They apply in this instance? Sefer Bigdei Aharon the response provided by the author of the I am basing my interpretation on the fol- What specific Torah wisdom did Yaakov purposely aim to corrupt the children of (Toldos) provides a wonderful explanation Haggodah to the wise son, who follows in lowing possuk concerning the exodus from based on a Midrash Pliah: Yisroel and introduce perverted thoughts ”Your brother the footsteps of Yaakov, is by mentioning Egypt (Shemos 4:22): “so said Hashem, ‘My (במרמ”ה) into their minds until they eventually ask: came with cleverness and took firstborn son is Yisroel.“ Rashi comments: “what is this service to you?” In response to your blessing.” The Torah is teaching us that we invoke the merit of Yaakov, who ac- according to the Midrash, with this decla- Eisov HaRasha, it is appropriate to blunt - quiredthis halocheh Yitzchok’s concerning blessings thein the “Afikomon,” merit of ration, Hakodosh Baruch Hu gives His seal his teeth and reply harshly: It is because of mon.” Yaakov feared that Eisov would show this halochah. of approval and validation to the sale of Yaakov cleverly brought his father “Afiko this that Hashem did so for me when I went up after him, Yitzchok would enjoy the deli- the birthright which Yaakov acquired from out of Egypt“ — ”for me,“ but not for him. cacies that he prepared for him, and then A New Meaning for the Ritual of Eisov. Seeing as Hakodosh Baruch Hu ap- Had he been there, he would not have been Yitzchok would be forced to bless him as proved of Yaakov’s receiving the birthright, redeemed. promised: “Then make me delicacies such as “Yachatz” In conclusion, we can surmise that the I love and bring it to me and I will eat, so that is temporarily concealed, represents Yaakov, Continuing along this path of reasoning,

Haggodah chose to introduce the wise son my soul may bless you before I die.“ the greaterlarger portion of the two of thebrothers; “Afikomon,” whereas which the and the wicked son at the beginning of the Therefore, Yaakov cleverly fed his father let us explain a bit further. In the process, smaller portion which is placed ___between we will examine a well-known custom that

“Afikomon” at the conclusion of his feast.

English Supplement - Pesach 5776 • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • 101 Yaakov the “Wise” Son Defeated Eisov the “Evil” Son by The Hakoras Hatov Feeding Yitzchok the Afikomen on the Night of Pesach

___ of Eliyahu Hanavi the other two whole matzohs represents in hand, according to the paradigm of Zevu- Eisov, the brother of lesser stature. lun and Yissocher. Yaakov would dedicate The Rizhiner related the follow- even have a single potato. Yaakov Wished to Demonstrate for his life to the service of Hashem and Zevu- ing story: In a town in Romania there lived “Ribono Shel Olam, have mercy upon Yitzchok the Difference between the two lun would support him. In return, Yaakov a wealthy man, Reb Boruch, who had a us! My children are hungry, and there is portions of Matzah. Still, we must explain would teach and guide Eisov in matters of beautiful custom. Each year before Pesach nothing to eat for Yom Tov,’’ she sobbed. halocheh. he purchased a new Kos Shel Eliyohu, larg- Suddenly, there was a knock on the and Eisov on this special and holy night. We Viewed in this light, let us suggest that er and grander than the previous year, and door, and a distinguished man stood upon canthe explain significance the matter of the based allusion on tothe Yaakov state- this is precisely what Yaakov wished to he gave his old ‘kos’ to a poor family. This the threshold. “May I be your guests for the ment made by Eisov after Yaakov success- demonstrate to Yitzchok by giving him continued for many years, with the Kosos Seder tonight?” he asked. fully acquired the blessings from his father Shel Eliyahu becoming larger and more “With pleasure,” replied the woman Yitzchok on Pesach night (Bereishis 27:36): In truth, in the times of the Beis HaMik- elaborate. bitterly. “But there is nothing to eat. Our “it is fitting that he was named Yaakov; he dosh,“Afikomon.” they would eat the korban Pesach. One year, Reb Boruch’s fortunes took house is bare.” has now utmaneuvered me twice; he took my During times of exile, however, when Yisroel a turn for the worse, and little by little he “That is no problem,” said the stranger, birthright and now he has taken my blessing.” would be exiled by Eisov and his descen- lost all of his money. He handing her a bag full of Rashi explains in the name of the Me- dants, who would destroy the Beis HaMik- was forced to sell his trea- silver coins. drish Tanchuma: why did Yitzchok tremble? dosh, they would not be able to offer and sured possessions, un- “Go to the market- He said, ”Perhaps there is a sin in me that partake of a real korban Pesach. In its stead, til his house was empty place and buy everything I blessed the younger ahead of the elder, - and bare. As Pesach ap- you need. I will be your and I deviated from the order of lineage?“ ond matzeh, corresponding to Yitzchok, and proached, he was left with guest for the seder to- Eisov began to cry out, ”He outwitted me breakingthey would it needinto totwo suffice pieces, by taking representing the sec only the Kos Shel Eliyahu, night.” these two times!“ His father said to him, Yaakov and Eisov. This ritual act is meant to a poignant reminder of all The woman joyfully ”What other things did he do to you?“ He re- demonstrate the enormous gulf that sepa- he had once enjoyed. accepted the money and rates Yaakov and Eisov, the epitome of ke- Pesach was only rushed to the market- Yitzchok said, ”Over this I was distressed dusheh and the epitome of tumah. two days away, and his place to buy all her Yom andplied, trembling, ”He took lestmy Ibirthright crossed the as linefirstborn.“ of the This entire ploy was designed to make house was empty of Tov needs. She worked both chometz and mat- quickly, improvising and za. There was no money preparing a delectable to buy food or wine to Yom Tov meal. Maariv was celebrate Yom Tov. Reb over. Reb Boruch walked Boruch debated with his home from shul, alone wife, agonizing. Should he sell the Kos Shel and dejected. Thoughts Eliyahu in order to buy food for Yom Tov? of the poverty in his home haunted him. Surely it was more important to celebrate “What type of seder will we have?” he Yom Tov with delicacies. sighed, as tears coursed down his cheeks. However, his wife did not agree. “I When he reached the door of his home, he would rather go hungry than sell such a stood frozen in surprise. The table was be- beautiful goblet and embarrass Eliyahu decked with a fresh white tablecloth, wine, Hanavi,” she said resolutely. “Hakodosh , and a seder plate, just like in the Boruch Hu will help us. You’ll see.’’ good old days. On Erev Pesach afternoon, Reb Boruch Suddenly, the door opened, and the left for shul to learn, since there was noth- guest stood there, smiling at them. He ing to do at home. The chometz had been wished them a Chag Kosher V’someach, eaten a long time ago, and his children and promptly disappeared, nowhere to be keenly felt the pangs of hunger. Reb Boruch seen.The family enjoyed an especially glori- told his wife not to worry about him, he ous Yom Tov that year. would be home late, so that the towns- After Pesach, Reb Boruch traveled to people wouldn’t realize that his house was the Rizhiner Rebbe and related the story. law. Now, I realize that I blessed the legiti- Yitzchok realize that his original play was bare. The Rebbe smiled and said, “The guest that impossible. Giving Eisov the blessings in As soon as he left, his wife burst into came to bless your seder table was no ordi- We can now better appreciate the tre- the hope that he would support Yaakov’s bitter tears. She recalled the splendor and nary man. You have merited to be helped mendousmate firstborn. wisdom He demonstratedshall also be blessed!“ by Yaakov, and service of Hashem was glory of Yom Tov’s past, when her husband by Eliyahu Hanovi, who came to show his when he came to his father with cleverness, not realistic. Their differences were too reclined at the Seder table like a king, and appreciation because you didn’t sell the ’’.which pos- great. In fact, Eisov waged an all out war she served special Yom Tov delicacies. Now Kos Shel Eliyahu אפיקומן alluding to his use of the *** to annihilate Yaakov. Therefore, it was not her children were starving, and she did not .במרמ”ה sesses the same numerical value as conceivable that he would one day support that he would not partake of Eisov’s deli- Yaakov and his descendants in their sacred cacies.Yaakov cleverlyWe posed fed the Yitzchok following “Afikomon,” question: so endeavors. Additionally, Yaakov intended Not Getting Angry Since Yitzchok ate an actual korban Pesach, - No matter what the circumstances, the Ahavas Yisroel of Vishnitz zt”l, was always mon” that the bigger piece of matzeh actu- very careful not to be- come angry. One Erev Pesach, to demonstrate to Yitzchok via the “Afiko resolve this problem, let us refer to the ex- - during the baking of matzohs, one of the partici- planationwhy did Yaakov of the Chasam bring him Sofer “Afikomon”? (Toldos) ad To- born — who had received Hakodosh Baruch pants began to yell at the workers to work faster. dressing Yitzchok’s motives for wanting to Hu’sally represented stamp of approval. Yaakov, Thus,the legitimate the blessings first When the Ahavas Yisroel heard this, he rebuked should deservedly be given to him as the rather than Yaakov, the innocent, dedicated the man and told him that even now is was forbid- Torahgive Eisov scholar: the blessings in the first place - den to become angry. The man tried to justify his “According to the Chasam Sofer, Yitzchok chok’sfirstborn. statement to Eisov: your brother outburst, “Look, the prohibition against - ”.significance — which of Yitz has that’s something במרמ”ה recognized his two sons’ distinct traits and utilizedThis, the then, device is theof natures. Although, Eisov was a hunter, the exact same numerical equivalent as ”Believe me,” replied the Rebbe. ”.to rightfully acquire the blessings. “The prohibition against anger, that’s also somethingאפיקומ”ן .Yitzchok still thought that he was righteous He envisioned that they would work hand ***

100 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • English Supplement - Pesach 5776 The Haste of Yetzias Mitzrayim Adapted from a talk of Maran Admor the Belzer Rebbe Shlita

he Seder is well under way, the children have already short the length of time. (See Sephornoh Devorim Ch.16 p3). catch a train. One is aiming to catch an inter-city train, which will Tasked the Mah Nishtanah and have duly received their On the eve of the redemption Hashem commanded the Yidden take him to a distant destination. Although he is in no immediate handful of nuts. The father of the house, sitting on a raised couch to celebrate the great miracle by taking a Korban Pesach and to hurry to reach his destination he is still running to catch the train adorned with a white Kittel has lead the reciting of the . eat it together with Matzoh and Marror. This was to remind them since it is not a regular service and if he will miss it there will be no With explanations and stories he has related the feelings that “in of the bitter enslavement that they had gone through and at the other transportation available for him to reach his goal. The other every generation it is one‘s duty to regard himself as though he same time to show them that because of it being so bitter, it was person is running to catch a local train that runs every five minutes. personally had gone out of Mitzrayim“. The whole family and coming to an end so much earlier than prophesized. Thus they It is evident from the running that he has a definite urgency to especially the children can actually “see“ Moshe Rabbeinu were commanded to eat the Korban Pesach in a hurry and also reach his journey‘s end as soon as possible for otherwise there leading them out of Mitzrayim with the cloud before them and to eat Matzoh which is baked in haste to show them that all the would surely be no reason to run when in five minutes time there behind them the wails of their erstwhile enslavers, who are busy years in Mitzrayim, Hashem was accelerating their redemption by will be another train. digging graves for their firstborn. making them eat Matzoh instead of bread. The AriZal explains that the Yidden went out of Mitzrayim The smaller children have already fallen asleep and the Hashem was also showing them that the actual redemption on before their fixed term because they had fallen to such alow atmosphere in the room is quieter and more conductive to thought. the morrow would also be in great haste, as a direct result of their Madreigeh that had they remained there even another second it A prominent part of the Haggadah is now being recited. “Rabon hard work. would have been too late to redeem them because they would have Gamliel used to say: “Whoever has not explained the following Thus we see there were three different kinds of Matzoh that become completely assimilated. According to this reason, the three things on Pesach has not fulfilled his duty, namely: Pesach- the Yiddin ate in Mitzrayim. Firstly the Matzoh they ate during hastening of the Exodus was not a sign of Ahavoh that Hashem the Pesach Offering, Matzoh-the Unleavened Bread and Morror- the affliction, secondly the Matzoh they ate together with the showed the Yidden, rather it was imperative to redeem them early the bitter Herbs“. The of the telling of Yetzias Mitzrayim Korban Pesach, and thirdly the dough that they took out of Egypt because if not it would have been too late. This is similar to the is complete only in the presence of the Matzoh and . in a hurry and had no time to bake into bread. In reality, all three inter-city train in the parable where the haste it not shown an Matzos were one and the same. Due to the Matzoh that they ate urgency to reach the destination only a compulsion for if not now .in Mitzrayim they were zocheh to eat Matzoh on the wayout, the than when בשעה שיש מצה ומרור מונחים לפניך latter being the Matzoh of haste. On that night, the night of Yetzias The Midrash (Shir Hashirim 2) however explains differently. he importance of audio-visual education is now Mitzrayim when every Yid was sitting with his family eating When Hashem sent Moshe Rabbeinu to take the Yidden out of Tuniversally accepted. However the Torah teaches us that the Korban Pesach together with the Matzoh, it finally dawned Mitzrayim they asked Moshe: “How is it possible that we are even that is not enough. In order to appreciate fully the lesson upon them the reason for their severe affliction and the ultimate being redeemed? We know that the decree was for four hundred that has to be learnt from Yetzias Mitzrayim we are commanded advantage that arose through their suffering. years.“ Moshe Rabbeinu answered, “Bacause He loves you, He on this evening to talk about it at length. But speech in itself is jumps over mountains and shortens the time“. The Midrash learns inadequate. We also have to eat the Matzoh and Maror which that the haste was a direct result of Hashem‘s love for the Yidden symbolize the servitude and the redemption and thus the lesson and not a compulsion as according to the AriZal. will be fully imprinted in our minds and souls, because a person is The Haggodoh starts off saying. “Blessed be He who kept motivated by his actions. His promise to the Yidden“. The Hakodosh asks what is the greatness that Hashem kept his promise, isn‘t it expected from everyone to keep promises? And why do we make so many מצה זו שאנו אוכלים על שום מה things in remembrance of Yetzias Mitzrayim if Hashem already n the Haggadah we are told that the reason for eating promised Avrohom Avinu to take his children out of Mitzrayim? the Matzoh is, “because Melech Malchei Hamelochim I The answer lies in the fact that the decree was for four hundred Hakodosh Baruch Hu revealed Himself to our fathers and years and Hashem in His kindness shortened it to two hundred and redeemed them before their dough had time to leaven.“ ten years. However this is only according to the Midrash, whereas The Rishonim already query this reason that is given in according to the Ari Zal, had Hashem not taken the Yidden out the Haggadah and many differing explanations have been then, there would have been no possibility of a later Exodus, so given. Maran Rebbe Shulem of zy“a, raised the following by taking them out early He was merely fulfilling his promise. difficulties. (Although the Midrash seems to conflict with the reason given by In the Gemoroh there is an argument as to whether the the AriZal it is possible to reconcile the two opinions. It is possible redemption started in the evening or during the day. Nevertheless, that among the Yidden there were two categories. There were all agree that the actual Geuloh was not until the morning. If that those who were on the verge of assimilation as the AriZal states, is so, and the Matzoh is in remembrance of the Exodus, why are but there were still many Tzaddikim as we know from the Midrash we commanded to make a zecher to the Matzoh at night and not that actually names Amrom and his friends as being Tzaddikim in the morning, worthy of redemption. Furthermore, the Haggadah gives the reason for eating Matzoh As above mentioned the great thanksgiving for the Exodus is as a remembrance of the haste of the Exodus. If so, why were the more comprehensible according to the explanation given by the Yidden commanded to eat Matzoh in Mitzrayim on the eve of the Midrash. This explanation is a lesson to be learnt at all times. Just Exodus together with the Korban Pesach? It is now possible to understand the words of the Haggodoh. as Hashem hastened to take the Yidden out of bondage, so too In the same context, the question arises: “The Yidden were “This Matzoh that we are eating, what is the reason?“ The should Mitzvos be performed with haste. commanded to eat the Korban Pesach in haste, as the Posuk says, Haggodoh means to ask, to which of the three kinds of Matzoh do However there are two kinds of haste. There is the Zerizus of With your loins girded, your shoes on your feet and your staffs we allude - the Matzoh of affliction, of Korban Pesach or of the the person rushing to Shul to catch a Minyan for which he is already in your hands“. What was the hurry, they did not leave until the redemption? The Haggodoh then answers that “The dough of our ten minutes late. Had he left the house in time there would be no morning? forefathers did not have time to rise before the Melech Malchei reason for his rush ... However there is the zeal of the one who runs Also we find that the Yidden ate Matzoh during their years of Hamlochim revealed Himself and redeemed them“- All three to Shul even though there is plenty of time. This person shows his servitude in Mitzrayjm as is mentioned in the opening portion of Matzos were a result of the same cause, namely, Hashem hastened eagerness to be in the House of Worship in order to have time to the Haggadah: “Hu Lachmo Anyo--This is the bread of affliction to take the Yidden out of Mitzrayim. Both during the exile and at learn or to prepare himself to Daven with a clear, unhurried mind. that our fathers ate in Mitzrayim“. Why doesn‘t the Haggadah the time of the redemption, the dough had no time to rise in order These comparisons can be found at all times in many deeds. The mention Matzoh when explaining the reason for eating Matzoh that Hashem may redeem the Yidden prematurely. lesson of Yetzias Mitzrayim according to the Midrash is that one on this night? The lesson that can be learnt from the Matzoh is that not all is must hasten to perform Mitzvos not out of necessity e.g. because Maran Rebbe Shulem of Belz, offers the following explanation what it seems to be. What appeared to be a harsh decree was later of missing a Minyan, but out of love of Hashem‘s Mitzvos. Just as that solves all the difficulties. The extreme working conditions of shown to be an act of mercy and hastening to bring the redemption. Hashem hastened to take us out of Egypt not out of necessity but the Yidden in Mitzrayim did not allow them time to bake bread - Why did Hashem hasten to take the Yidden out of Mitzrayim? only Matzoh. The reason for this hardship was because the decree Two reasons are given which can be better explained with a should soon merit the prophecy of was for four hundred years and Hashem wanted to take them out we כימי that צאתך us מארץ help מצרים Hashem אראנו May נפלאות אכי“ר.parable. Two people are running to the train station in order to only out of His infinite kindness earlier so the amount of years were replaced by hard work cutting

English Supplement - Pesach 5776 • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • 99 Beacons Illuminating The Seder Night

Thoughts and Ideas, Sayings and Discourses Adapted from the Teachings of Maran Admor of Belz shlita

Compiled by HaRav Gedalyah Greenbaum in our children. Accordingly, each family His ascending to another madreigah neces- *** conducts the seder privately to better en- sitated acquiring additional tohoroh by be- Contentment With Minimum Material Twice Hallel–Remembering Miracle and able the family head to accomplish this ing toivel in a mikveh again. Implanting Emunah lofty purpose. Likewise on the seder night when Pleasures יחץ The element of publicly marking this Hashem emanates tremendous kedushos event that changed the Jewish People is from Heaven we rise from a lower to a אשר בחר בנו מכל העמים - higher kedushah and must be metaher our- Yachatz–Breaking the middle mat- he Tur (Orach Chaim §473) rules: T enced the miracles of yetizas Mitzrayim, selves before each additional kedushah. zah into two, one piece larger than the “It is a mitzvah min hamuvchar (a choice wealso recite fulfilled. Justin as wepublicly mutually which experi is a of the other. The larger piece is set aside to mitzvah) to say hallel on both nights of hallel shul , remozim Hag- narration of this exodus, along with other godoh kadesh precedes u-rchatz since on serve as . The smaller piece is goliyos, recite a berochoh beforehand put back, between the two matzos. and enounce it pleasantly. By doing . Then we return home to conduct the For this reason in the kedushah we must so we fulfill what Dovid HaMelech a‘h seder be metaher in order to be able to receive a The three matzos allude to the ne- teaches us, 'Declare the greatness of your son on that day“ (Shemos 13:8). In loftierthis night kedushah. after our first shomoh, the body, and activities that join Hashem with me, and let us exalt His shul we privately conducted to fulfill a public “And commeration you shall tell, *** the neshomoh to the body. The neshomoh name together‘ (Tehillim 34:4). and the seder at home is a continuation of Kedushah of the Neshomoh needs to be complete–one needs to serve the recited in the . This halochoh can be explained as al- hallel shul and the Body - *** mus. The body also needs shleimus–one אשר בחר בנו מכל העמים ?luding to thoughts of “Who am I anyway How can such a lowly person as myself Preliminary Sanctification to More needsHashem to and be fulfillfully healthyHis mitzvos and withphysically shlei speak divrei Torah on such a hallowed Elevated Kedushah “Who has chosen us from every able. On the other hand, activities joining night?“ that each Jew might think so on people, exalted us above every tongue the body to the neshomoh such as eating .and sanctified us with His mitzvos. And and sleeping have to be limited קדש ורחץ the seder night. The truth of the matter is You gave us, Hashem, our G-d, with We break the middle matzah to show that during the seder HaKodosh Boruch Hu adesh U-rchatz (the kiddush is K love days of Shabbos for rest, appointed that as much as possible we must put lim- empowers a person with the capability to recited and we wash our hands without festivals for gladness, festivals and deios. a berochoh before eating less than a its on activities joining the neshomoh to the times for joy“ (night Kiddush of Yom On the seder night we commemorate kezayis of dipped in saltwater) body. Tov). bneiinfluence Yisroel‘s his family‘sexodus from Egypt through *** On the the numerous overt miracles which make seder “Who has chosen us from every Sons Ask, Hashem Replies and and then although the Hashem‘s Divine presence known through- kadesh u-rchatz people“-refers to Hashem choosing the way of acquiring nightkedushah we first(holiness) perform is Redemption is Hastened out the whole world. It therefore would Avos, Avrohom, Yitzchok and Yaakov. “Ex- which is (purity), as מה נשתנה stand to reason that we conduct the seder u-rchatz tohoroh alted us above every tongue“- refers to noted in the beraissa of Rebbe Pinchas ben publicly just as the miracles came to pass yetizas Mitzrayim, as we see that Hashem first ah Nishtana–Why is this night dif- publicly. Nevertheless, surprisingly the Yair (Avodah Zorah 20b,) (Rebbe Chaim M Moshe Luzzatto zt‘l bases his entire Mesilas ferent from all other nights? custom is to conduct the seder in the priva- (Shemos Yeshorim on this beraissa), “Tohoroh leads cy of our homes, each family by itself. Why mitzvosexplicitly“-refers said, “My to our firstborn receiving son the is Yisroel“ Torah. Apparently another mah nishtana to .“ indeed is this so? kedushah “Days 4:22). of Shabbos “And sanctified for rest, us appointed with His should be asked. Why is the seder night can be divided into two types: On the seder night “The Torah speaks of Tohoroh festivals for gladness, festivals and times different from other Yomim Tovim? Why One type is a four children....“ We relate at length to our tohoroh for you.“ “Appointed festivals for gladness“- on the night of Pesach we ask questions, tumah and the other type is the tohoroh children about yetzias Mitzrayim to instill refers to the simchah - but on, for instance, Rosh Hashanah and required in order to ascend (purification) from a lower from within them both emunah and love and tivals and times for joy“- refers to the Succos no seder dictates our asking ques- level of kedushah to a higher one. Addition- fear of Hashem. On this sublime night our simchah of the neshomoh. our bodyWhen feels. our “Fesbody tions. al kedushah calls for additional tohoroh as narration has a positive impact upon our experiences simchah the neshomoh can The Torah (Shemos 13:8) writes, “And we see that the Cohen Godol on Yom Kip- children. Conducting a mass seder, would be cheerful. A joyous body assists the ne- you shall tell your son on that day.“ Our pur needed to emerge himself in a mikveh deprive us of the golden opportunity to shomoh to serve Hashem and elevate itself Sages (Pesochim 116a) instituted that on

before engaging in the next avodah and the night of Pesach the story of embed solid faith in HaKodosh Boruch Hu higher and higher. ___yetzias was toivel Yoma 30a).

a total of five times (

98 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • English Supplement - Pesach 5776 Beacons Illuminating The Seder Night ___

Mitzrayim should be put forward in a for- highest ma‘alos. Actually every year on the return, nor do they attain the paths of life“ Hashem‘s Enjoys Our Fulfilling mat of questions and answers–the son seder night through reciting about yetzias (Mishlei 2:19), that “all who come“ are those Mitzvos asks and the father answers. Mitzrayim Hashem elevates a person. In who unfortunately went in the way of minus רשע מה הוא אומר Bnei Yisroel are sons of the Omnipres- Egypt not only those on a lowly level were (heresy), “do not return“–only when “nor do ent, as the Torah writes, “You are children to lifted up, also eminent people like the tribe they attain the paths of life“–because they he wicked one, what does he Hashem, your G-d“ (Devorim 14:1), and ac- of Levi, Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon HaCo- haven‘t studied Torah. However, when these “T say? “What is this service to you?“ cordingly we ask “Why hen, Hashem lifted up to the forty-nine gates study Torah they do have a . HaKodosh Boruch Hu, resho‘im tikun (Shemos 12:26)... You, therefore, blunt of . is this night different from all other nights?“ kedushah Before the Haggodoh enumerates the his teeth and say to him: “It is because “Even if all of us were wise, all of us un- four sons, and among them also the son who of this that the L-rd did for me when I saying that on this night He took us out of derstanding, all of us knowing the Torah, we is a rosho, it announces to us, “Blessed is He left Egypt.“ Egypt.Doubtless He will resolve our difficulty by would still be obligated to discuss the exo- who gave the Torah to His people Yisroel“– “By the word of Hashem the heavens dus from Egypt“ since on the night of Pesach to teach us that through the Torah everyone We are referring here to a rosho who be- lieves that the Creator rules over the whole were made“ (Tehillim 33:6). Dovid HaMelech Hashem elevated all of bnei Yisroel without without exception, even a rosho, can attain world but reasons that since Hashem dwells is telling us that Hashem‘s speaking is con- exception including the chachomim and the a tikun. is in the heavens, surely He doesn‘t care sidered as a ma‘aseh (an action). Through zekeinim. “And everyone who discusses the *** Hashem‘s answering our question that He exodus from Egypt at length is praisewor- about the mitzvos that bnei Yisroel perform Comprehending Reasons for here below. took us out of Egypt an impression is made thy“ since the more one relates about yetzias Mitzvos After Fulfilling Them in Heaven, and Hashem hastens our Re- Mitzrayim the more Hashem elevates him. The truth however is that Hashem so- to-say minimizes Himself so that He can חכם מה הוא אומר *** demption. We ask mah nishtana so Hashem will reply that He freed us from the land of After Kabolas Torah a Rosha Can Be accept the mitzvos of every Jew and enjoy The wise one, what does he say? tremendous nachas ruach from their mitz- Rectified . We therefore say to the , “It is be- constitutes a ma‘aseh, it will induce a change “What are the testimonies, the statutes vos rosho and the laws which the L-rd, our G-d, cause of this that the L-rd did for me when ברוך המקום ברוך הוא inour Heaven. affliction, and since Hashem‘s speaking has commanded you? (Devorim 6:20)“ *** I left Egypt“ that also in Egypt when bnei “Blessed is the Omnipresent One, You, in turn, shall instruct him in the Yisroel mitzvos Hashem mini- Spiritual Redemption For Everyone mized Himself and accepted their mitzvos of Pesach fulfilled and matzah the . Hashem had nachas עבדים היינו לפרעה במצרים ruach from this and because of their mitzvos “We were slaves to Pharaoh in He took them out of Egypt. Egypt, and the L-rd, our G-d, took us *** out from there with a strong hand and Redemption Also For Ruchniyus with an outstretched arm. If the Holy תם מה הוא אומר One, blessed be He, had not taken our fathers out of Egypt, then we, our chil- dren and our children‘s children would “The simpleton, what does he have remained enslaved to Pharaoh in say? 'What is this?‘ Thus you shall say Egypt. Even if all of us were wise, all to him: 'With a strong hand the L-rd of us understanding, all of us knowing took us out of Egypt, from the house of the Torah, we would still be obligated to slaves.‘“ discuss the exodus from Egypt; and ev- eryone who discusses the exodus from The simpleton asks, “What is this?“ Why Egypt at length is praiseworthy.“ should Hashem be commended for taking us out of Egypt. Hashem already promised It is important for a Jew to be aware that Avrohom Ovinu, “Know with certainty that - your offspring shall be aliens in a land not al accomplishments stems from the golus in their own...and afterwards they will leave Egypt.all of his What flaws he and is missing all that ishe the lacks in spirituthat ma‘alah with great wealth“ (Bereishis 15:13-14)– hasn‘t yet left Egypt. Through relating about meaning that Hashem promised to eventu- our exodus from Egypt, HaKodosh Boruch blessed be He! Blessed is He who gave ally free us from our suffering in the land Hu helps us and takes us out of Egypt, as was the Torah to His people Yisroel, blessed laws of , [up to] ‘one is not when we were slaves in Egypt. At that time be He! The Torah speaks of four chil- to eat any dessert after the Passover- promise, keeps his word, so why should we bnei Yisroel were immersed in the forty-nine dren: One is wise, one is wicked, one is lamb.‘ of Egypt. Every decent person fulfills his gates of tumah but Hashem lifted them up to simple and one does not know how to The chochom who wants to comprehend In Egypt bnei Yisroel were immersed in a a sublime ma‘alah. ask.“ the underlying reasons for the asks, golusapplaud of the Hashem body andfor fulfillingthe nefesh His, and promise? Hashem Perhaps you will ask that someone in a mitzvos “What are the testimonies, the statutes and took us out of both goliyos. Hashem‘s remov- lowly spiritual level needs to relate about My grandfather zt‘l (Maran Rebbe Yissochor Dov zy‘a) asked why does the Hag- the laws which the L-rd, our G-d, has com- ing us from the golus of the body isn‘t so yetzias Mitzrayim so that Hashem will raise tremendous since Hashem previously com- him higher, but why does someone who is godoh offer this introduction of “Blessed is and only later on it mitted Himself to do this for us. On the other in the midst of elevating himself need to do He who gave the Torah to His people Yisroel“ mitzvos ismanded possible you?“ for Wehim answer to merit that understanding first of all he hand, for Hashem‘s taking us out of the golus so? And even if he needs to relate somewhat before the section about the “four sons“? theirmust reasons.fulfill the of the nefesh in which bnei Yisroel were im- about yetzias Mitzrayim why does he need Maran RebbeYissochor Dov zy‘a an- My great-grandfather, Maran Rebbe mersed within the tumah of Egypt and after- to do it in such great length? The truth of the swered that the Haggodoh wants to instruct Yehoshua , explains on the , “We ward bnei Yisroel were zocheh to receive the matter is that in Egypt, Hashem didn‘t only us that the son who is a rosho cannot be rec- zy‘a posuk will do and we will obey“ (literally “we will Torah, we must doubtlessly praise Him. elevate those Jews who were on a lowly level, hear“) (Shemos “And you shall tell your son on that day also those who maintained their kedushah to him: “It is because of this that the L-rd did tified, “You, therefore, blunt his teeth and say without knowing saying, `It is because of this that Hashem Hashem lifted up to the forty-nine gates of for me when I left Egypt“; ‘for me’, but not mitzvos their reasons, and 24:7) afterward that first hea person can under must- acted on my behalf when I left Egypt...so kedushah. Accordingly, everyone must take for him! If he had been there, he would not standactually their fulfill reason. the This is what is meant in that Hashem‘s Torah may be in your mouth“ part in the mitzvah of reciting about yetzias have been redeemed!“ However, the rosho‘s our reply to the wise son: “One is not to eat (Shemos 13:8-9). We must thank Him for the Mitzrayim. inability to be corrected is only before kabo- any dessert after the Passover-lamb.“ We ruchniyus that He gave us–for the holy To- “We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt“– las haTorah, but after we received the Torah so that he can rah. Although Hashem already promised us we were immersed in the forty-nine gates even a son a rosho has a way to do teshuvah halochos mitzvos and then afterward the gashmiyus, we must praise Him for the of tumah. “And the L-rd, our G-d, took us and accomplish a tikun. hefirst will teach be him the to understand their logic. ruchniyus that He awarded us. out from there.“ Hashem raised us up to the Rebbe Shmuel of Kaminka zy‘a said on zocheh the posuk, “And all who come to her do not fulfill all of the *** ***

English Supplement - Pesach 5776 • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • 97 rah, will be born in our hearts in all its glory. sho is situated next to the chochom and not [Toras Emes] at the end of the list of the four sons? Pesach Anecdotes and The teirutz is that if the rosho would Yachatz stand near the simple son and the “one Minhogim of the Talmidei who does not know how to ask“ he would Rebbe Mendel of Rimanov zy‘a ex- would be able to foil the plained the reason of yachatz: When it came chochom rosho‘s HaBaal Shem Tov try his best to influence them, and until the the time for two loyal friends, who were Harav Moshe Aharon Ausch bound to each other with heart and soul, to chochom was put right next to the rosho so plan it would be too late. For this reason the part and go their own way in life, they de- that he could supervise over him and assure vised a plan that they will always remem- that he won‘t harm anyone. [Esar Kedushos] tzoros (misfortune) and that until the end ber each other. Each one prepared a picture Kadeish U’Rchatz - Karpas of himself that precisely depicted how he of time we should enjoy lives without any A Wise Son tribulations. looks. The Rebbe added that you shouldn‘t The Akeidas Yitzchok zy‘a explains: [Haggadah Shel Pesach-- think each one gave his own picture to his Kadeish u-rchatz alludes that kedushah friend. No, that wasn‘t enough. They took Rebbe Shimon of Skerniewitz zt‘l re- (holiness) is generated through tohoroh The egg on the Seder plate the two pictures and cut them in half, each lated that his grandfather Rebbe Yitzchok (purity) and the tohoroh is itself generated one took half of his own picture and half of of Vorki zt‘l asked his son Rebbe Menachem through karpas whose mathematical value his friends picture. This is alluded by yach- Mendel zt‘l as a small child what is the dif- hy do we place an egg on the Seder is 360 (20+200+80+60=360) which is the W atz: When Yisroel remain bound to the Cre- ference between the wise son‘s question equivalent of the word Shas (60+300=360). Plate? Rebbe Leibele Eiger of saw the ator, the Creator, so to speak, remains also and that of the wicked son. Their questions Through studying Shas (the Gemora) with egg as a parable for the effect the Pesach bound to Yisroel. are identical except for the fact that the kedushah and tohoroh Seder has on us. [Chakal Yitzchok, Haggadah Shel Pesach] chochom asks using es‘chem (you)–[“What sins. In the writings of our holy teachers, we do the testimonies and the statutes and [Kuntros Leil HaSeder–Machon one rectifies Alexander] all one‘s learn that on this sacred night the gates of BRINGING the Days of Moshiach the judgments which the Eternal our G-d holiness are opened above, just as they were has commanded es‘chem (you) mean?“ - Karpas “All the days of your life‘ alludes to (Devorim 6:2)] and the rosho uses the word em's light shines down without restriction, lochem instead of es‘chem, [“What do lo- opened on that first Pesach night, and Hash (literally “bringing to“) the days of the irrespective of how worthy we may or may chem (you) mean by this service?“ (Shemos When Rebbe Chonoh of Koloshitz zy‘a not be. On this night, each and every Yid can Moshiach.“ Throughout one‘s life, during all was three-years-old he saw his grandfather, days of his life, a person is obligated to bring 12:26)]. It would have apparently been bask in the light of Yetzias Mitzrayim and preferable for the not to use even the Shineveh Rav zy‘a, donning a kittel be- the days of the Moshiach by acting in a way chochom actually leave Mitzrayim (a double form of es‘chem, and the distinction between them fore shofar blowing. He called to his mother the noun "Mitzrayim" - the narrow straits that will bring the geulah and the advent of and told her that grandfather is about to the Moshiach. would have been more evident. and double-bind constrictions which have Rebbe Menachem Mendel zy‘a an- eat karpas. When the Shineveh Rav heard hitherto held him back from growing to [Tiferes Shlomoh] his grandson‘s remark he commented: “My swered: “What type of a chochom would his full potential). On this night we can all he be if he would reveal everything that he grandson is right. According to sod (the se- depart servitude and darkness and attain A Wise and A Wicked SON cret explanations of the Torah) the mean- thinks in his heart?“ freedom in the great revelation of Hashem's [Beyeshishim Chochmoh-Vorki] ing of the shofar blowing and the eating of light. Believing in these precious teachings Rebbe Mechel of Sambor ztvk‘l cites in the karpas is identical. Although Chonoh‘le of our teachers is one thing, and actually the name of his uncle Rebbe Tzvi Hirsch of And gave us their wealth didn‘t realize this, his saying so, indicates he feeling them is another. It is no simple thing Ziditchov zy‘a the following: Why was the will grow up to be an odom godol (eminent to experience real change and lasting trans- Haggodoh set up in such a way that the ro- Torah leader). formation. But it is for this reason that our The Maggid of Dubno told a parable: On [Me‘oros HaGedolim-Shineveh] Sages instructed us to place an egg on our *** Seder Plate. bechor A When a mother hen lays an egg, it is Pesach. When the seder night arrived and Why do we read Shir HaShirim on Pesach? completely round and hard, enclosed on all he was given potatoes(firstborn) to eat fasted for karpas. on erev He were revealed on Pesach through Hash- sides. It certainly gives no indication of con- he Sfas Emes teaches that there took a large piece of potato to quiet his hun- taining a chick. Even when we open it, all we is a close connection between em’s direct involvement in the physical . Rebbe Yitzchok of Vorki zy‘a said: “What see is white and yolk and no more. Still, we Shir HaShirim and Pesach. Shir events that led to our salvation. type of a cheirus (freedom) is this if we are T know that the egg contains all that is neces- HaShirim is a love song. Shir HaShirim Pesach is therefore called “zeman still enslaved by a piece of potato.“ sary for a chick to take form within its shell uses the love between a man and a wom- charuseinu”—the time of our freedom. [BeYeshishim Chochmoh] *** - an as a metaphor for how to love Hashem. Time represents the natural world be- When the Chakal Yitzchok of Spinka cubation in a warm environment. Essentially, Shir HaShirim cause time exists only in the physical and finally emerge. All that is required is in zy‘a announced “karpas“ and those at the The same is true of the wondrous illumi- teaches us that every as- world. On Pesach we can seder explained: “We take a little bit of veg- nation that shines down on us on this sacred pect of this world is only free ourselves from our etable...and we also think of freeing our ob- night. Sitting gathered around the Seder an allegory to help us un- attachment to the physi- table, and proceeding together through all ligation of a berochoh on the moror.“ After derstand the love that we cal and learn Hashem’s the steps of the Seder, we share the experi- need to have for Hashem. will from nature. ence of Yetzias Mitzrayim. Before we realize several times what they said and added that Therefore, the mes- mororthey finished alludes saying to the this,golus. Rabbeinu repeated it, however, the night is over and the excite- to attain. It is particularly sage of Shir HaShirim At that occasion the Chakal Yitzchok re- ment seems to disappear. We leave the Sed- This is a difficult level and that of Pesach com- lated that Rebbe Reb Zusha of Aniploe zy‘a er table feeling that we would like to bask plement each other. Shir once asked Rebbe Reb Shmelke to learn in the warmth of Hashem's Exodus-light for- as a metaphor when it difficult to view this world HaShirim teaches us to Mishnayos with him. They began from the ever. The truth is that on a deeper level, this seems so real to us be- in Yevomos light has not been snatched away from us. cause we are so attached view the world as a meta- free their tzoros until the end of all genera- It has simply gone straight into our hearts phor from which we can tionsfirst from yibum.“ : “Fifteen women and become hidden and inaccessible. All desires and needs. learn how best to serve Rebbe Reb Zusha zy‘a became excited that is required is the proper incubation and to it,On to Pesach, fulfill our though, physical this task becomes Hashem. Pesach is the best time to do warmth, the yearning to serve Hashem with easier. On Pesach Hashem showed us this because Pesach is the “time of our consistency during the coming days of the made out of a yud (10) and a heih (5), which that His divine will works through na- freedom”. It is when Hashem revealed to and explained that the number fifteen is Omer. If we truly nurture this little "egg," is the Divine name. Noshim (meaning wom- ture. Hashem directly involved Himself us His providence in the physical world. en) can be broken up to 'na Shem' meaning in rescuing us from Mitzrayim. The spiri- This is why Shir HaShirim is read 'please Hashem'. We request from HaKo- then fifty days later, on Shavuos night, it will tual underpinnings of the physical world dosh Boruch Hu to please free us from our egg will hatch and Hashem's light, the To- have developed into a full-fledged chick. The specifically on Pesach.

96 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • English Supplement - Pesach 5776 The shaliach relayed this to the Rebbe hilate us)“ his wife began screaming. “Oy Pesach Anecdotes and Minhogim of of Stolin, and the next day the Rebbe asked vei, how did challos come in the middle of him if he really explained the Haggodoh our seder? Challos are chometz! the Talmidei HaBaal Shem Tov that way. He answered that he actually did Both were perplexed and didn‘t want continued from previous page explain it in such a way. to continue saying the Haggodoh. Sudden- The Rebbe then asked him how does ly the baal habayis found a solution. “The he explain the continuation, “And the Holy Haggodoh itself explains, `And HaKodosh a visit to the royal capital, a young scholar One, blessed is He, has delivered us from Boruch Hu matzileinu (saves us) from their returned from the study hall to his lodg- also serve HaKodosh Boruch Hu?“ their hands“? That Chossid didn‘t know hands“–Hashem makes matzos from the cal benefits)? Can one derive a benefit and ings one evening. On his way, he passed We should therefore “set his teeth on what to answer. The Rebbe of Stolin zy‘a challos. The remarked that the king's palace. As he passed, he spied a edge“ since he doesn‘t believe that it is said: “I‘ll tell you what it means. It means their simple faith caused the harsh decree gang of thieves who had dug a tunnel un- possible to serve Hashem through eating may HaKodosh Boruch Hu save us from to be annulled. der the king's treasury and were in the act and drinking. If that is so he surely doesn‘t needing them to pray for us.“ of emptying the entire vault! need teeth to eat and therefore his teeth [Kuntros Nachlas Tzvi–Shevat] The Zest and Joy of a Mitzvah! He sneaked away before they noticed should be set on edge. him. Breathing a sigh of relief, he offered [Avodas Yisroel] Not Only One A poor stranger once came to the a little prayer, "How grateful I am that You house of Rebbe Dovid of and asked have not placed my portion among the Dtzach Adash B’Achav - The Once people saw a smile on the face for a meal. Even though nothing was avail- likes of these men. I hasten to the reward Secret Behind The Words of Maran the Baal Shem Tov zy‘a while he of the World to Come, while they hasten to was engaged in the seder. Afterward he re- Rebbe Dovid was saving for Pesach, he a pit of destruction!" The Hagada tells us that Rebbi Yehuda lated that there was a harsh decree upon didn’table excepthesitate the to have Shmurah a meal made flour out He arrived at his inn, tired and hungry. made and mnemonic to remember the ten the Jews in Heaven but a simple Jew, who of it, and served the stranger. Afterwards To his surprise, the thieves arrived shortly makos. Was that all this is about? Is there was an am ha‘aretz succeeded in annulling he explained: The main point of Shmureh after him. They too were truly famished it. That simple Jew sat at home and per- Matzo is not to eat Chornetz which symbol- after a hard night's work. They ordered a Otzar Divrei HaMeforshim brings a number formed the seder together with his wife. He izes delaying the doing of good, whereas large meal - at the king's expense! ofany explanations significance for in thesethe words words. themselves? explained every word of the Haggodoh and matzo symbolizes the zest and joy with The waiter approached the scholar and The Chavas Da’as explains that while when he reached the phrase, “And this has which we are to do our Mitzvos. By giving requested his order. "Nothing," he replied. we are happy to see the downfall of our op- The waiter shrugged his shoulders pressors the Mitzrim, since we are in Galus has risen against us lechaloseinu (to anni- Shmureh Matzo even before Pesach! and walked away. The scholar smiled, re- we need to be quiet about our happiness. has stood by our fathers‘...For not only one this man a meal, I fulfilled the concept of mained at his table, and waited patiently. Dtzach is from Ditza, happiness. Adash is Why should he pay for his meal when he a lentil which is silent and has no opening or mouth as Chazal tell us. Dtzach Adash, The Light Of Moshiach our happiness at the seder should be done Rav Shimshon Pincus was a young mar- Over two hundred years ago in America quietly so as not to make waves in Galus. ried man trapped in Eretz Yisroel during and in many parts of Europe we were signs of aveilus at the seder like eating an the six day war, as his plane could not get freed. There was "enlightenment" and thus egg.For thisB’Achav reason, or B’Ahavawe therefore means also that perform we will out on time before the war started. The fear emancipation. We were given free reign. continue to struggle in our galus with love of total destruction gripped the entire na- We had full rights as human beings for al- for Hashem as we wait for the day of our tion. After the miraculous victory and the transfer of the Kosel HaMa'aravi back to scale. We thought they wanted us to be like complete and out in the open. themmost thebut firstthat timeproved in galus to cause on such even a morewide finalHagadah geula, whenMarbeh our L’Saper happiness from the will son be euphoria erupted and people heralded and even a holocaust. We of the Korban Nesanel says that as part of theJewish victory hands as for the the light first of time in 20 years, misunderstood them. Make Yaakov’s purchase of he Bechor from Eisav, Moshiach. no mistake about it, the we had to suffer slavery in Mitzrayim. The As Rav Pincus retells, a western world is standing entire time Bnei Yisroel were in Mitzrayim few days after the war he on their feet and screaming they were unhappy with the deal that also went to the Kosel hop- Yaakov made. Only after they went out, just like Paroh, "Kumu Tzi'u ing to get a glimpse of were they happy. Dtzach, only now were "the Mitoch Ami... U'Lichu Ivdu they happy. Adash, with the sale of the light of Moshiach". His trip Es Hashem Elokeichem". As Bechor for Adashim. B’Achav, that Yaakov to the Kosel and witness- Rav Shimshon many times purchased from his brother. ing the singing and danc- said, today we don't have Nefesh Yehonoson says that the mishna ing left him unimpressed. Nevi'im telling us the Dvar in Brachos says we must give a bracha to "This is not it" he thought. Hashem, our enemies do it Hashem for the bad just like we do for the A number of years later instead. The message told good. Dtzach, in time of happiness, Adash, though, when he saw the early beginnings to us by the anti-semitic Nuremberg laws in times of aveilus when we eat lentils, of the Tshuva movement, he thought tohim- and the words of Yirmiyahu HaNavi were knew exactly what was going to happen? we accept them both from Hashem B’Achav, self this is it! The light of Moshiach is start- eerily similar, as they echoed the same sen- with love. would be spread out in front of the thieves. ing to shine. timents. In a few moments, a meal fit for royalty We were slaves in Mitzrayim for many When Rav Shimshon saw the beginning Shortly after that, the king's guards would Not Only One Has Risen Against Us come after them and the entire meal would bitter years under Paroh's iron grip. Even of mass movement that was stuck amidst be left for him! Again, this is the meaning of Moshe's warnings and nine Makos did move non-, successfully extract the verse, "The wealth of the sinner is laid Once the Rebbe Asher of Stolin ztvk‘l themselves as they rose up and got out to sent a to see how one of his up for the righteous" (Mishlei 13:22). shaliach night, it was all over with just one sentence go serve Hashem, he must have heard the Chassidim leads the seder. When that utteredParoh to from let us Paroh's out. Finally lips. in The the wordsdark of that the voice of Paroh, the voice of the geula. To rang in the geula were (Bo 12:31) Setting His Teeth On Edge upon us“ he explained it as meaning “Not "Kumu leeve our Mitzrayim we need to leave be- onlyChossid one reached tzaddik “For stands not one and has beseeches risen up Tzi'u Mitoch Ami... U'Lichu Ivdu Es Hashem hind their culture, their values and all their The rosho reasons: “I understand it Hashem for us.“ The Haggodoh continues, Elokeichem",—rise up and go out from my other Chometz, "Ki Lo Chometz Ki Gorshu being proper to serve Hashem through “But in every generations they rise upon nation... go serve your Hashem. MiMitzrayim". studying Torah and praying. but what is us“ and that Chossid explained it as mean- We spent close to two thousand years The light of Moshiach is here already. this avodah of eating? What is this avodah ing, “In all generations there are tzaddikim in a bitter galus where we were locked up We just need to follow the simple directions that is lochem (in which one derives physi- who daven for us.“ and often prevented from serving Hashem. to the exit.

English Supplement - Pesach 5776 • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • 95 Seder Night Gems of Rabboseinu Admorei Belz zy“a

Since the whole nation went to immerse in the Nile [Maran Rebbe Yissochor Dov zy“a of Belz] On Burning The Candle River the water became muddy. We dip the karpas in *** Of Bedikas Chometz saltwater to allude to that zechus of bnei Yisroel immers- Question and Answer: It is customary to burn the Chometz with the feather, korban Pesach the spoon and the dish in which the Chometz was gath- that year. A Nostrum for Remembering The Haggadah is organized as a series of questions ered, as well as the candle. We might have assumed that ing themself so they could[Maran sacrifice Rebbe the Shulem of Belz zy‘a] and answers because it is an established fact that this the candle should be set aside to be used as a Shabbos *** method is an aid to memory. Since we are commanded candle or for another Mitzvah. Nevertheless, since Biur Heavenly Grace to the Father to remember the Exodus from Egypt, the Haggadah was Chometz is symbolic of ridding ourselves of the Yetzer to Teach His Son Properly arranged as a dialogue of questions and answers be- Hara (the evil inclination), we therefore also burn the 116A) that “the tween father and children. In this vvaythe memoryof the candle to indicate our hope for a new light to shine upon second cup is poured and the son asks... and the father Zion when the prophecy of Zechariah (13:2) will be ful- teachesWe find his inson the according Gemarah (to the son‘s knowledge.“ [Morenu Rebbe Mordechai zy“a of Bilgorai] “And I will remove the spirit of uncleanness from Maran Rebbe Yehoshua of Belz zy“a comments that on Exodus will be firmly implanted*** in our minds. the land and the Yetzer Hara will be annihilated from the the Seder night Hashem gives the father knowledge to world.“filled: Clapping Hands in Honor teach his son. Although a minor is not responsible for [Maran Rebbe Yehoshua of Belz zy"a] all the Mitzvohs, yet for the Korban Pessach the minor of the Torah *** Maran Rebbe Yissochor Dov zy‘a of Belz explained the can be counted with those who have attained a major- minhag to clap our hands before saying Mah Nishtanah. The Prohibition Of Eating Chometz ity. This is because the essence of Pessach is Hashem The halochoh (Orach Chaim 339:3) is that on Shabbos from the Sixth Hour On Pesach Eve passed over the houses of the Bnei Yisroel in Mitzrayim, we are not allowed to emit any sounds through clapping The reason for not eating Chometz from the sixth suggesting Bnei Yisroel‘s elevation to a higher spiritual or banging on something. Nonetheless, the hour on Erev Pesach is that according to the Gemara makes an exception and allows clapping hands on (Pesachim 2A), part of the day Chometz is permitted and because of the Torah‘s honor. part of the day it is forbidden.This allows the Chometz Simchas Torah In order to allude that the purpose of eaten earlier to be fully digested before Pesach and this yetzias was (receiving the Torah on in turn depends on the time it takes to digest a meal, Mitzrayim kabolas HaTorah Mt. Sinai) we therefore clap our hands in honor of the which is generaly six hours. [Maran Rebbe Yehoshua of Belz zy"a] Torah since it its zechus we left Egypt. *** *** Matzah: The Food That Invites Covering the Matzos A Multitude Of Comment and Lifting the Cup Chazal explain (Pesachim 36A) that Matzah is called Once on Chol HaMoed Pesach one of the grandsons of Lechem Oni (from the root meaning answer) because Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Vorki ztvk‘l visited Maran many responses are made over this food. These re- Rebbe Yissochor Dov zy‘a of Belz. Maran asked him to repeat a Divrei Torah. He said in the name of his grand- that a person cries out for to Hashem Yisborach for all father the following: “The Haggodoh says (before VeHu thatsponses he isare lacking, of a double and afterwards, nature - first, for concerning the answer those that Sheomdo), 'The matzos are covered, and the cups lifted,' the Holy One Blesed Is He provides. This is implied in 'This has stood by our fathers." This comes to allude that the statement ...kol dichfin.... This means eating matzah is a Torah obligation, but drinking the if one is in grave need, as in the case of those suffering four cups is only a Rabonon (rabbinical obligation). One from hunger and thirst, then Yaysay veyachol, let him should therefore cover the Torah obligation (the mat- come and eat Matzah, and in the merit of that act, he will zos) and raise the cup of wine which is a Rabonon. “And be helped from on High. Kol ditzrich, if one is not in such this“–the Rabonon obligations and the minhogim which dire straits, but is lacking only the required fullness and have been passed down to us from generation to genera- so-called luxuries, he too will be helped by Hashem, Yay- plane. Therefore even the minor is raised to the level of tion, "has stood by our fathers' and ours“ throughout all say veyifsach, in the merit of the Mitzvah of Pesach. an adult. of the time that we have suffered in golus. [Maran Rebbe Shulem of Belz zy“a] This is what the Gemara means, “According to the Maran Rebbe Yissochor Dov zy‘a of Belz praised this *** knowledge of the measure of knowledge and the privi- explanation and instructed his son Rebbe Mordechai of Hashem Brought the Scent lege of being counted among the grown-ups on Pessach Bilgorai zy‘a to write it down even though it was Chol night. Then “his father teaches him, “ that is, he is re- HaMoed. of Gan Eden for Bnei Yisroel warded with an abundance of knowledge, particularly *** Why do we dip the karpas in saltwater? When Ha- the knowledge that leads to a greater faith in Hashem. Hope for the Wicked Kodosh Boruch Hu commanded bnei Yisroel [Maran Rebbe Yissochor Dov of Belz zy"a] Baruch Hamakom...Keneged Arbaa Bonim (Blessed the korban Pesach. He brought a scent from Gan Eden *** is the A-mighty... The Torah speaks of four sons). In for bnei Yisroel. When bnei Yisroel sniffed thatto scent sacrifice from "And He Shall Turn The Hearts Mitzrayim there was no salvation for the (the Gan Eden they approached Moshe Rabbeinu and told Reshaim wicked), and they died during the three days of dark- mitzvah of the korban of the Fathers to the Children..." ness. But after the giving of the Torah, even the wicked Pesach. Moshe Rabbeinu told them that they cannot sac- have a hope of improvement through the Torah so that him that theykorban want Pesach to fulfill yet, since the the Torah writes, “No Questions asked by the son. This is based on the pasuk According to Minhag Belz, the father repeats the Four they too can come closer to Hashem. un-circumcised male may eat of it“ (Shemos 12:48) and (Malachi 3:24) quoted above. Rashi explains “through Therefore the author of the Haggadah writes, theyrifice were the not circumcised. the children“ Eliyahu Hanavi will say to the children in a “Blessed is He who are thus grateful to Hashem for giv- Bnei Yisroel therefore immediately began circumcis- loving manner, “Go and speak to your fathers to hold to ing us the Torah, which speaks to all four types of sons, ing themselves, and one who circumcises himself needs the ways of Hashem“ At the same time, he will turn the even the Rasha who can repent and be healed. to immerse himself in a mikveh before bringing a sacri- hearts of the children through the fathers. Therefore the

repetition of the son‘s questions by the father alludes at [Maran Rebbe Yehoshua zy“a of Belz] mikveh did bnei Yisroel have at that time? The *** ___ only mikveh they had was the Nile River. this event which the Navi foresees. fice. What

94 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • English Supplement - Pesach 5776 Seder Night Gems edited Lezer 4/`0/08

Seder Night Gems “The Erev Pesach Seudah“ of Rabboseinu just don‘t see how I can manage it!“ Exclaimed Such a waste! If they put their minds to studying astronomy, “I Rebbe Boruch, grandson of the Baal Shem medicine, philosophy, their knowledge would so enhance

Admorei Belz zy“a Tov, half-aloud. “Whenever he comes to me I am glad to and develop our country! But all they do is stick their noses ___ accommodate him and to send him off with a large seudah. into their Gemoras and Mishnayos. I think, your majesty, He is, after all, an important rebbe, direct talmid of my that if we banned their books completely from our land, if Seder Customs Ordained grandfather. I am honored to do so. But why did he have to we had them burned, for instance, you would notice a mark by Moshe Rabbeinu pick this day, of all days, to come and visit on Erev Pesach! revival in the sciences and humanities.‘ The word Nirtzeh is equivalent to Moshe in gematriya, Where will I put him? What can I serve him?‘ Rebbe Boruch “The king was taken in by the bishop‘s smooth talk and that is, the numerical value of the letters of the two words issued decrees banning the and forbidding study is the same. This suggests that all the Seder customsfall emotions and prepared a festive meal after all. The only sign thereof. A while later the bishop was out walking with the was very distressed but finally overcame his negative into thecategoryof lawspassed down from MosesatSinai. If he displayed that he was inconvenienced was to place his prince. They wandered into the Jewish quarter the city this understanding underliesall thatwedo on Pesach night, guest at the side of the table instead of the head. where they passed by the Ramban‘s beis Midrash. They then the Seder will certainly be nirtzeh, acceptable, before The guest felt the slight but made no comment. Instead, harkened and heard the sound of Torah study and entered Hashem. during the course of the meal, he related a story which had boldly. There sat the Ramban studying with I talmidim. He happened to him: Many many years ago the rav of a certain dismissed them immediately and arose greet his honored [Maran Rebbe Yehoshua zy“a of Belz] city died. This city had been accustomed to inviting the Baal guests. The two visitors sat down near the Gemara. ‘So this *** is what you have been studying‘ the bishop smirked. ‘Let me Glimmer of Relief in his honor at which they presented him with one hundred show you some things that are written here,‘ he said turning During the Galus coins.Shem TovNow, once in their a year time to of a sorrow,huge feast the tendered townspeople specifically looked to the young prince at his side. He chose some passages “Appoint watchmen to the city of by day to the Baal Shem Tov to recommend a successor to the which he construed to be slanderous and hate-mongering and by night. Illumine as with the light of day the darkness rabbinate. The Baal Shem Tov chose me. I had had little but the Ramban refuted him brilliantly at every turn. The of the night.“ lnthispiyyut from the Haggadah, Israel asks practice in the practical aspects of the shulchan aruch and so bishop left it at that and departed. Soon after, however, that Hashem should illuminate for them even the darkness I hired a dayan to help me. I paid him from my own salary. he went to the king to inform him that his good friend the of the gaiut (the exile), notJust the time of the future re- This dayan, though learned in all phases of halacha, Ramban was disobeying the king‘s royal decrees. demption- May Hashem shed on us light from the lightof had a despicable, hypocritical “‘Is this so?‘ the king redemption character. While taking the confronted the Ramban at later [Maran Rebbe Yissochor Dov of Belz zy"a] salary I offered him from occasion. ‘Yes, Your Majesty,‘ *** my hard-earned stipend, he admitted the Jewish sage. ‘Why accepted, behind my back, in do you go against my decree?‘ The Future Bais Hamikdosh addition, a fee for each case he he asked. I have no choice in the Will Be Built by Hashem tried. He degraded me in the matter, your Majesty,‘ said the , Yivne Baiso Bekarov - He is mighty, may He bargain and I resolved to tell the Ramban and went on to explain speedily rebuild His House. The Gemara (Rosh Hashana Baal Shem Tov on his next visit. that the Torah was our very life 30A) says that the next Bais Hamikdosh will be built at When the Baal Shem Tov stream, our blood. We could not night and Rashi explains: How can the Bais Hamikdosh be paid his yearly visit to the city I live without. He brought the built on the 15th and at night when we have established found no opportunity to speak parable of the fox who saw the to him privately. I was reluctant, that it may not be built either at night or on a Yom Tov? however, to push the matter the rivers, trying to evade the However, this stricture applies only to human effort, The when I saw how much respect fish swimming to and from in building of the future Bais Hamikdosh will be accom- the Baal Shem Tov accorded my dayan. them to jump up on land but they just laughed at him. If they plished by a divine act. “Next year,“ I resolved, “I must speak to him for the man found life perilous in the water,fishermen‘s how muchnets. Thismore fox so invited would Thus we say Adir Hu, Hashem will Himself build the is becoming unbearable.“ But the following year offered no it be on land where they would be deprived of their very Bais Hamikdosh, Bekarov, soon, for since He will build it, it opportune moment either. And again I hesitated to seize element of sustenance! The king listened and was partially is indeed properand possible that He accomplish this both the initiative to malign someone whom the Baal Shem Tov convinced. ‘But does your Talmud not speak against us at night and on Yom Tov. Therfore we add in the Haggadah seemed to regard so highly. gentiles?‘ he wanted to know. ‘That is not so,‘ replied the - Kel Benay, Kel Benay, Benay Baysecha Bekarov - Build it The Baal Shem Tov again made his yearly visit when I on this very night of Yom Tov - Bekarov, immediately had been in the rabbonus for three years. I seethed inside, lands where we are dispersed.‘ Just then the bishop walked Ramban. ‘It specifically warns us to respect our rulers in the [Maran Rebbe Yissochor Dov zy"a of Belz] in. ‘Stand where you are!‘ Exclaimed the Ramban, pointing the right opening. Just as the Baal Shem Tov stood in the *** doorwayjust waiting about to speak to take to hishim, leave but onceI tensed again, to springI could forwardnot find king‘s palace by advancing another step!‘ Traveling On Clouds To The and have my say. Again I was prevented from pouring out an accusing‘This man,‘ finger he turnedat the man to the in theking, cloth. ‘commits ‘Don‘t vile defile sins. the I Bais HaMikdash can prove it to you. There is a vein, located on a person‘s “Vayivi’einu El HaMakom Hazeh, VaYitein Lanu Es stopped me. “I‘ve got a remarkable story which I want you head, which turns red when that person indulges in sin. my troubled heart. For this time the Baal Shem Tov himself HaAretz Hazos”,— and He brought us to this place, and He to hear,“ he said. The dayan stepped forward, so as to be the Let the bishop be shaved and you will see for yourself.‘ The king commanded a barber come and remove the hair from of the pasuk we are thanking Hashem for the Bais HaMik- “The Ramban was once called upon to give advice to the the bishop‘s head. And there, as the Ramban had predicted, kingfirst oneof his to city.catch The his king‘swords. own ministers had heard of the pulsed a blood-red vein on the guilty man‘s pate. The king dashgave usand this the land second (Ki Savo half 26:9). refers Rashi to Eretz explains Yisroel. the first Why part do Jew‘s wisdom in all areas of knowledge and had suggested ordered the bishop hung on the spot. we thank Hashem for the Bais HaMikdash if received Eretz that the king call him in for consultation. The king was very “This story has a sequel,“ the Baal Shem Tov said to Yisroel long before we had the Bais HaMikdash? impressed with the Jewish scholar and begged him to come his spellbound audience. “The wicked bishop is amongst The Targum Yonoson says on the pasuk of “VaEsa every day. The Ramban had no choice but to obey. Each us here. He was sent back to earth to make amends for the Es’chem Al Kanfei Nesharim” (Yisro 19:4) that on Erev day he would visit for an hour or two to discuss various harm he did in his previous life. I have tried to favor him Pesach in Mitzrayim, Hashem carried Klal Yisroel on subjects with the king. One day the bishop happened to these past years but I see that a sinner remains a sinner.“ clouds to the Bais HaMikdash to bring the Korban Pesach. enter the chamber in the midst of such a session. The king As he uttered these words the dayan fell to the ground He then returned us to Mitzrayim for that fateful night of was thoroughly engrossed with the Ramban and did not lifeless. I then understood why the Baal Shem Tov had Yetzias Mitzrayim. even notice his visitor. The bishop, a rabid anti-Semite, honored the man who had made life so miserable for me. Based on this Targum Yonoson we actually were in the could not bear the slight and hatched an evil plan on the Rebbe Boruch now understood that his guest was indeed Bais HaMikdash before Hashem gave us Eretz Yisroel, just spot. He waited patiently until the king had dismissed the worthy of all honor shown him, for had not the Baal Shem like the pasuk says. Ramban and then spoke. “‘What a clever man that Jew is!‘ he remarked. ‘And so are all the Jews clever people. What a vowed never to slight him again. [Maran Rebbe Yissochor Dov zy”a of Belz] pity, though that they spend so much time on their Talmud. Tov justified him before his whole city?(Devorim He thereupon Areivim) ***

English Supplement - Pesach 5776 • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • 93 The Pesach Haggadah and its History Through the Ages

origin of this is Aramaic term is found in the found during the period of the Tanaim of the The Seder Night night is the small book, the Haggadah which lies in front of every participant during Gemara (Pesachim 116a). The Haggadah is Mishnah. The “Agadata“ of Pesach is already he most beautiful of all our the Seder. The pages of this book relate the most widespread of all found mentioned in the Mishna and the Tholidays is the Yom Tov of Pesach. the miracles of the exodus from Egypt, books. It has achieved the most widespread Bereisa. Large portions of our Haggadah are The celebration of this holiday marks the and give the secret of Jewish existence and distribution more than any other book since also taken from the Mechilta, Sifri and also outpouring of joy which originates from perserverance. The beautiful Talmudic from the pages of our Gemara. The Members Midrashim and Biblical phrases reveal to us Each year tens of thousands of copies of the Anshei Knesses Hagdolah (Great the real secrets of Yetzias Mitzrayim which ofthe different finalization editions of the 24of booksthe Haggadah of the Bible. are Assembly) organized the Haggadah with published, because this book has become many of the traditions which are known to Jewish heart with joy and happiness during most beloved volume used by Jews all over us until this day. thispermeates holiday throughof freedom. the The ages Haggadah and fills is the the world. The Haggadah has been printed in Rav Amram Gaon, in his , means through which father and son have a millions of copies, has been written by hand established the version of the Haggadah common language; it enables the parent to by countless scribes, and has been illustrated which we use today. He was the head of the individually reply to the diverse querries of by the most famous of artists. It has been in Sura during the end of the 8th translated into practically every language spoken on earth, including, Chinese, Tartar, enlarged by Rav Saadya Gaon (born in Egypt the Four Sons. and Abuyssinian. Most of the names given to century (4606). His version was refined and the Haggadah commentaries are connected additions were given to us by the Rambam to the redemption of the Jewish nation; for in892, his died Yad inHachazakah Sura 942) andin his by Siddur. the disciple Further of example, Geulas Yisroel, Geualat Oloyn, Yeshuas Yisroel. The Haggadah represented in (c. 1208) in his book Machzor Vitry. In the yearning for the redemption among the theRashi, Middles Rav Simcha Ages, Vitry, many who other lived inportions France Jews. In fact another name for the Haggadah were added such as, Chasal Siddur Pesach found among old manuscripts is Sefer (according to the Ashkenazik version), Ki Lo Hageulah, The Book of Redemption. Noeh, and Adir. The Haggadah as we know it today, both in the Ashkenazic and in the Sephardic versions, was formalized and organized throughout the generations by the people and their great leaders, without

Amsterdam Haggadah sections. As with the prayers in our Siddur, theidentification Jewish people and authorshipaccept these of asthe holy various and the exodus from Mitzrayim. This Yom Tov sacred for all generations. is the crown and glory of Jewish simcha. The famous bibliographer, Avrohom The decorations used on the Seder table Yaari, lists in his Haggadah Bibliography, are of a different nature from those used published in 1961, over 2700 editions of throughout the year. Traditionally, during the Haggadah published until that date. the year a Jew must always remember the destruction of the Bais Hamikdosh. Recounting the Exodus This manifests itself in restraint in using he derivation of the name Haggadah luxurious foods and dishes. However, on from the Biblical phrase “Vehegadeta the night of Pesach we are required to T lebincha“ (Shmos 8, 8) “And you shall relate to your child.“ The Haggadah is the source dishes, utensils and foods which we of the information which we use to explain possess.use the mostIn the magnificent Jewish home and on beautiful Seder to our children the miracles and wonders night, every corner sparkles and shines. of Yetzias Mitzrayim. The Haggadah is a The Seder table is covered with a bright compilation of Biblical phrases, Talmudic white tablecloth. Upon it rests the The Prague Haggadah and Midrashic passages woven together with shining silver candelabra with the large songs of Hallel and praise. Each generation white Mah Nishtana candles. This light through the ages added additional poems spreads over the entire home bringing Many Editions and songs of joy and exultation in order to joy and kedusha to the Jewish soul. When t is not certain exactly when the the head of the household comes home exodus in length, is worthy of praise.“ This IHaggadah was written. It is possible from shul he puts on the traditional wasfulfill done the by saying, the Sephardic “One who and discusses Ashkenazic the that many passages were recited during the white kittel with tha white yarmulke and communities. Prime examples are the Echod period of the Judges and the Kings during prepares to seat himself in the special Mi Yodea and the which were the holiday of Pesach. In (II Chronicles 35, Pesach couch in order to be able to relate made part of the Haggadah in later years. 18,) the Pesach celebrated by Chizkyahu to our children the miracles and perform The Kabbalists added the Shir Hashirim, Hamelech is described as follows: “A Pesach his role as a “king“ for this night. The was celebrated, the likes of which was not Solomon‘s Song of Songs to be recited at We can safely assume that to date there excited young children quietly rehearse seen even in the days of Shmuel Hanovi the end of the Haggadah. The Sephardic are over 3000 editions in print. Practically Jews especially the Yemenite community and all the Israelite kings, and there was

plans to “steal“ and hide the afikomen. every gaon, gadol hador, and tzaddik of each call the Haggadah “Agadito DePischa.“ The ___ the However,Four Questions the greatest and makeattraction grandiose of this genuine sources for our Haggadah can be great joy in Jerusalem.“ However, the first

92 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • English Supplement - Pesach 5776

History of the Pesach Haggadah Through the Ages ___ Prague Haggadah printed in Prague, which beautifully illustrates the artisty of woodcut chometz, the baking of Matzah, the twelve sections of the and every generation up until the present is now the capital city of the , printing. The Jewish artist who is the master Seder plagues, and the splitting of the Red Sea. It time has written a commentary on the in the year 1526 by Gershon Hacohen and of this woodcut technique claims that the goal is also accompanied by, the commentaries Four Sons, the of theten Pesach Haggadah. It would require pages his brother Gronim Katz. Not only is this of his work is to bring joy to the Galus Jew to allay his suffering. Abarbanel in old . In this Haggadah plates-it is also one of the most beautiful Another famous Haggadah is the Saraje- Echod Mi Yodea and the onesthe first ever artistic to appear Haggadah in print. printed The exquisiteon wood vo Haggadah an illuminated manuscript with Chad Gadya. we already find the is complete with vowels and a wide array of the illustrated traditional text of the Hagga- Copperplate Haggados colors, reds, blues, blacks and brown. The dah which accompanies the Pesach Seder. It is one of the oldest Sephardic in he appearance of the Haggadah in the modes of the rich aristocrats of the time, the world, originating in Barcelona in the 14th Amsterdam, Holland in the year of figures in the illustrations appear dressed in T and are painted according to the Jewish- century. The is handwrit- Italian art form. ten on bleached calfskin and illuminated in This Haggadah excels in its short copper and gold. It is presently owned by the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo, where it is on permanent display. The Wolf Haggadah was written and il- luminated in Provence, Avignon, by Rabbi Ya‘akov ben Shlomo Ha‘zorfati (scribe) in the final decade of the 14th century.

illuminated Haggadah was printed in Constantinople,Some sources Turkey, claim in 1515. that theHowever, first not only is this date uncertain, but also only three pages remain of this Haggadah.

the illustrations of the Haggados printed in to enumerate them. However, you may be Even though their influence is apparent, The Szyk Haggadah assured that if you pick any name at random, 1695 (5455) heralded a new form of art on the Haggadah from this gadol. There in its production. The illustration up to isyou a willvery findinteresting that there Haggadah is a commentary called the this point was produced by the woodcut Migdal Eder which contains a digest of 238 method. The new method used was the commentaries. One of the of most interesting copperplate one. The engraver revealed his The Sarajevo Haggadah of all Haggadahs is the Haggadah Shlemah identity, “Avrohom the son of Yaakov, Ger edited by Rav Menachem Kasher. This Zedek (proselyte). contains all the versions, and selections of explanations and comments from the The Amsterdam edition and its Talmud and Midrash which appear page by subsequent imitations became the most page. It is interesting to note that even the popular edition among the Ashkenazim of Central and Eastern Europe from 1695 anecdotes and explanations, as for example, onward, notably in Germany and its page of the Four Sons is accompanied with by the rosho: “Woe unto the wicked and neighboring countries. Many Haggados his neighbor.“ Among bibliographers, the were printed by this method in the 17th and Prague Haggadah is known as the Haggadah with folklore and anecdotes. It suggests for example that while eating maror one should glance at his wife since it is written “A wicked women is more bitter than death.“ Some of the most outstanding examples The Mantua Haggadah of beauty and talent are the pages containing Ho lachma anya where Gershon Hacohen inserted his name between the priestly Venice, Italy are entirely different from the hands and the illustration accompanying Prague and Mantua Haggados. The Venice Shfoch Chamascha, and Krias Yam Suf, where edition was widely popular and imitated Moshe appears with the stick, King David by Jews in southern Europe, notably the Echod Spanish and . To this day, the Mi Yodeah and Chad Gadya. Apparently, in Venice edition of the Haggadah continues The Wolf Haggadah thewith year the harp.1526 We these find hadno mentionnot yet ofbecome to be the prototype Pesach Haggadah for part of the Seder. This Haggadah ends with Spanish and Italian Jews. The amount of pictures is almost double Midrashic commentaries and explanations. a Yiddish song in which the printer gives thanks to the Almighty that he was able to those of the previous editions. Printed Also of great interest to the scholar is the likewise by woodcut method by Gisrace Daniel Goldsmith Haggadah. complete this beautiful piece of work. The Mantua, Italy edition of the Pesach Sofrani, the Venice Haggadah was reprinted four times (1609, 1629,, 1695, and 1716). The Illuminated Haggadah Haggadah in 1560 reproduced the text of the The beautiful title page, exquisitely The Metz Haggadah 1526 Prague edition in facsimile. However, it fashioned from a wood cut, shows Moshe mong the thousands of editions of introduced new illustrations and marginal dec- with the Luchos (tablets) Aharon with the A orations that were already were used by non- burning scent, and a picture depicting the 18th centuries in both Germany and . Jewish publications but were in conformity Among the most famous are the Zulzbach known thesimply Haggadah as “The we findHaggadah,“ hundreds was of with Italian taste. Here is a shining example of

printedilluminated in 1482 Haggados. in Guadalajara, The first Spain. Haggadah, The matzohs, the women of the household the mastery of the late Renaissance period that kasheringsifting of the the flour utensils, for the purposethe search of baking for ___ (1711), Frankfurt (1710), Zulzbach (1739), first illuminated Haggadah is the famous

English Supplement - Pesach 5776 • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו •91 History of the Pesach Haggadah Through the Ages

___ or by painting the face of a bird instead of The famous Amsterdam Haggados, print- the city of Kittsee, adjacent to Preshburg, in and Metz (1767). The original Amsterdam a person. An example of the latter is the ed in 1695 and 1712 respectively, which were the year 1760. Haggadah has been selling recently for famous Bird‘s Head Haggadah created imitated and copied by numerous printers and three and four thousand dollars. In addition around 1300 by an unknown artist and Twentieth Century Haggados to the many traditional illustrations in this the scribe Manahim. The illustrations have rominent among editions of the Haggadah, there also appears a map of the a stiff but delicate wood engraved feel. It PHaggadah are those printed during was commissioned by a wealthy Sephardic the war years, the era of (1939- family. The illustrations are in miniature, and 45). During these bitter and terrible years, are outstanding in their quality. Also very when death was just around the corner, Jews popular is the Darmstadt Haggadah done printed, wrote and copied this most beloved in the 15th century and found in the library of all books. Even in Communist Russia of that city. Another famous illustrated where it was forbidden to print anything Haggadah is the Rothschild Haggadah found religious, Haggados were printed as late as in Paris, and painted in the beginning of the 1926-28 in Zhitomer and Poltova. In later 15th century. Many of these Haggados have years, many Haggados were handwritten been reproduced, and copies are very very and spread by the Jewish underground. A expensive. Some of them cost thousands very important written Haggadah is the Beis of dollars. The originals, understandibly, Aharon Haggadah which was hand writtten are priceless. The total of illustrated and illuminated Haggadahs both in manuscript Tschopp, in a Russian prison during the war. and printed form, almost a third of the total Itby is Rav a collection Avrohom of Aharon important Friedman, commentaries Rav of The Kittsee Haggadah of all Haggados, comes to approximately including those of the of Belz. over a thousand editions. In Lodz, 1940, a Haggadah was printed manuscript artists, served as models also for this Haggadah. This Haggadah features the Seder instruc- The Hamburg Haggadah tions in both Judeo-German and Judeo-Span- ish, the Birchas Hamazon after Meals accord- journeys of the Bnei Yisroel in their exodus ing to the Ashkenazi and Sephardi rituals, and from Mitzrayim to Ertz Yisroel as well as the songs “Adir Hu...,“ “Echod Mi Yode‘a“ the map of Eretz Yisroel. Very interesting and “Chad Gadya“ with their JudeoGerman illustrations of artistic excellence can be versions. found in the Haggados printed, in Basel, The Haggadah also contains an abridged Switzerland (1816), and Trieste, Italy version of the Abarbanel commentary and a short esoteric commentary, both of which ap- pear in the Amsterdam Haggados as well. The text of the Haggadah is written in large beautiful square letters. The beginnings

The Basel Haggadah The Barcelona Haggadah

by A.M. Grubstein. In 1940 a Haggadah The Hamburg Haggadah was illuminated was printed in the island of Corfu, Greece, on parchment by Jankew Sofer of Berlin at with a Greek translation. In 1942 in Nice, Hamburg/Altona in 1740/41. It was renovated by Israel Kornik of Dessau in 1841. Its oil hand for the refugees from Paris. In 1942 a miniatures also follow the illustrations found HaggadahFrance there was appeared printed ina Haggadah , Roumania. typed by in the of 1712, but here In 1943 an Haggadah called Shear Yerokos utilize a folk-art style found in several hagga- was printed in Casablanca, Morocco. Even dos printed in Germany during the early 18th as late as 1944 an Haggadah was printed The Leipnik Haggadah century. in Grosswerdein, Hungary. This Haggadah, The Leipnik Haggadah is one of the most Maase B‘reb Elozer, beautiful handwritten and illuminated Hag- disciple of the Nodah Beyhudah, contains an (1864). The outstanding Haggados of our gados from the eighteenth century. This fine Haskomoh where theby Rav Rav of EliezerShamlo Flekels, z“l states a modern times are the Szyk (illustrated Haggadah is the work of Joseph ben David of that on that Tuesday of the week where the by the Polish-Jewish artist Arthur Szyk in Leipnik, an influential 18th-century Moravian Bais Aharon Haggadah portion is Trumah, 1944, “We buried many Poland between 1934 and 1936) and Raskin scribe-artist active in Hamburg and Altona. burned books... May Hashem come to our Haggados. Between 1731 and 1740 he produced 13 Hag- of some sections are illuminated and orna- help and take us from the darkness to the mented. Abarbanel‘s commentary is written in light.“ Hand Written Haggados gados. Like other Haggadah manuscripts of that period, the miniatures in this one were what is generally called “Rashi script,“ while And so the Haggadah has been part of our f special interest and importance modelled on the engravings in the 1695 and the Judeo-German Seder instructions and the life and has constantly decorated the Jewish Oare the handwritten and illustrated 1712 printed editions of the Amsterdam Hag- Judeo-German versions of the concluding Seder table throughout the generations. We Haggados, which are written. On either gadah. Joseph ben David, was active in various hymns are in Ashkenazic mashait writing. live with the constant hope that in the very near future we shall be privileged to be in parchment or paper. Traditionally, pictures cities in Germany. He produced this Haggadah The Kittsee Haggadah (1768) was written the rebuilt Yerushalayim with Moshiach should not be drawn of people and the in 1738 in Altona, which was apparently his and illustrated on parchment by the famous Tzidkeinu and together celebrate the last place of residence. calligrapher R‘ Chaim ben R‘ Asher Anshil in deleting parts of the face, such as ears, complete redemption, Amen. artists satisfied this prohibition either by ***

90 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • English Supplement - Pesach 5776 ראש השנה איז געקומען און סאיז דא א נייע סידי! א גאנצע וואך וועלן זיך די זיסע קינדער גרייטן צום שבת מיט די לידער פון אזוי זענען די אידן ארויס פון מצרים... וועלן די זיסע קינדערלעך מיטהאלטן לעבעדיג מיט די:

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English Supplement - Pesach 5776 • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • 89 ‡ין „י סﬠריﬠ פון ˘ב˙ ט‡טﬠ / מ‡מﬠ סﬠט

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88 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • English Supplement - Pesach 5776 abyss into the palace of the King of kings to save them- were brought to me for karpas, I thought to myself, ‘When Kaddeish did the generation gone by ever use pickles for karpas? speak, and only afterwards went through stages of prepa- Something is not quite right here! That is why I hesitated ׁקדש t is customary for teachers to have their tender pu- ration;selves. through They sanctified the counting themselves of the forty-nine (kadeish) days first, of so the to to use the pickles on Pesach." The Rebbe concluded. Ipils memorize the key words which give the order of omer. That was the ur‘chatz, the washing away of the sins.“ “See how adherence to ancestral customs prevented a the Seder, Kaddeish Ur'chatz along with their traditional * violation of eating chametz on Pesach.“ interpretations. Behold, I am Prepared * Maggid הֲרֵינִי מוּכָן Once, on the evening of the Seder, the Shpole Zaide מַ ִּ ג י ד asked his little son to recite the key words aloud. The youngster began, “Kaddeish-when the father comes home The Sanzer Rav was on his way to daven. He reached from the shul, on the evening of the Seder, he must imme- the beis midrash, turned about, and retraced his steps. he Rebbe of Sochochov, author of Avnei Nezer, not- diately recite kiddush.“ The Rav of Barniv followed him. The Sanzer Rav returned Ted that the Aramaic translation of Onkelos renders His father waited for him to continue, but the child said home, remained there for a brief period and, once more, "Vehigadeta LeBincha"- you shall tell your son (Shemos that the teacher had not taught him. So, his father taught started on his way to the beis midrash. When he noticed 13:8) as "Uschavei LeBincha" - which may be understood him the conclusion: “so that the youngsters won‘t fall the Rav of Barniv, he said, “Do you know why I returned as - you should show your son. We are to show him the asleep, but will ask the Ma Nishtanah.“ home? A man must mentally prepare himself before ful- Exodus, have him see it, in a sense, not merely tell him On the following day, the teacher was present at the about it. [The usual translation of “Hageit" in Aramaic is Rebbe‘s tish and the Rebbe asked him, “Why didn‘t you mitzvah. And because I was so concerned with preparing -"chavei". The point is not that we have an unusual trans- teach the children the concluding remarks on Kaddeish?“ myselffilling any for mitzvah.prayer, I neglectedWalking to to the think beis that midrash I was isabout itself to a lation but that the Aramaic "chavei" besides meaning tell “I didn‘t want to have them go to the trouble,“ said perform the mitzvah of walking to the beis midrash. That also means see.] the teacher, “especially since it isn‘t a very important rea- is why I returned home.“ * son. Even a man who has no children at home recites the He raised his voice and added, “Now, behold, I am Why is this Night Different? מַ ה נִשְׁ תַּ נָּ ה “!kiddush immediately on his arrival from shul.“ walking to the beis midrash to pray The Shpole Zaide asked, “Are you the one to judge * which reason is important and which is not? Are you wiser than all the other teachers? How did you dare change the Rasked why we pose questions on Pesach and not on version that has been taught for generations? Let me tell Succos,ebbe when Pinches many changesHorowitz, are the also author introduced of Hafla‘ah, and was we you what those who lived before us alluded to with this leave our permanent homes for the temporary structure statement. of the . “On Pesach,“ he answered, “when the ever-troubled, from the shul on the evening of the Seder and sees how his ever-pursued Jew sits down to his table, as if free, and sees children,“When the the Bnei father, Yisroel, that ishave our severedFather in themselves Heaven, comes from the beautiful dishes set before him, as if he is a lord and the mundane daily life and the darkness and troubles of master, he asks, in amazement, ‘Why is this night differ- the Galus, how they have come to shul to pray to Him and ent?‘ ask Him for their Redemption; when He sees this, He must “But on Succos, he enters a tottery sukkah. That is in immediately say kiddush - He must renew the kiddushin, keeping with, and normal to, the bitter life of Galus. There the marriage bond between Himself and ourselves, and is no reason for amazement.“ take us out of Galus; so that the youngsters won‘t fall * asleep, so that we don‘t sink into a deep slumber in our n Belz it is the minhag, that after the son asks the Exile; but will ask the Ma Nishtanah, why is this night dif- Ifour questions, the father repeats the four questions. ferent from all other nights, why is this night, this Galus, What does this represent? longer than all the other exiles.“ Maran Admor of Belz shlita explained. In Mitzrayim the This being said, the Shpole Zaide burst into tears fathers aroused the hearts of the children by telling them weeping and all present wept with him. The Shpole Zaide the story of the exodus of Egypt. “and that you relate in the Karpas ears of your son and your son‘s son“ (Shmos 10.2). In the time when the redemption will come, it will be the other ׁ כַּ רְ פַ ס some joy; we must show Him that His child can dance in thecame darkness, to himself too.“ and And said, he “Now ordered we mustthem giveto sing our lively Father a way around. The children will arouse the hearts of the fa- melody and began to dance. chassid once brought pickles which he had grown thers, like it states, “I will return the hearts of the fathers * A in his garden to Maran Rebbe Yissochor Dov of through the sons. Kadeish Urechatz Belz to be used as karpas during the Seder. He parted from On this holy night of Pesach great kedushos descend ' the Rebbe and left for home. The Rebbe gave orders that from Heaven, the very same ones that descended at the the pickles be burned with the chametz. Despite the as- time of the Exodus, along with the same kedushos of the ׁקדש ורחץ tonishment of all present, no one questioned the Rebbe‘s - the Tiferes Shmuel of Alexander remarked: “The instructions. tions both ways, the son asks the father, as it was by yetzias O final redemption. For this reason we ask the four ques order ofn the the seder first is Pesach kadeish after u‘rechatz he had - say become the kiddush Rebbe, A few hours passed and the man who had brought the mitzrayim, and the father asks the son, as it will be at the pickles appeared; he was very disturbed. His maidservant time of the redemption speedily in our days. had asked him if he was pleased with the pickles, since * washthe prayer - a man of sanctificationshould wash himselfof the Yom clean Tov, of and sin (ur‘chatz),then wash they were large and appealing to the eye! She even re- The More One Tells About the Exodus! וְכָל הַמַּרְבֶּה לְסַפְּ ר thenhands. rise Should and become not the holy order (kadeish). have been the reverse? First vealed the secret of her success. She had, she said, watered "If, however, we think in terms of a parable, we can un- the plants with beer. derstand the order. Not everyone is permitted to enter the ince the purpose of yetzi‘as Mitzrayim was the rev- palace of a king. Even those who have been invited to do had thought. “The pickles are forbidden for Pesach and Selation of His kingdom throughout the world. When so must make preparations, they must dress properly. And the HerRebbe, master heaven had forbid, been willhorrified. use them “Beer for iskarpas.“ chametz,“ He im he- people tell more about the exodus from Mitzrayim it is they can only go in at the appointed hour. If a man should mediately saddled his horse and ridden full gallop to Belz. a form of praising Hashem and revealing His greatness. enter without an invitation, without preparing himself, in They calmed him and told him that the pickles had been Therefore: “He is“—Hashem—about Whom is written, sackcloth, or at an hour other than the one assigned, he burned with the chametz. “This is my G-d“ (Shmos 15:2), “is praiseworthy“—be- would be severely punished. To the chassidim the incident seemed to be a miracle. cause of telling this story. But the Rebbe said, "I did not order the pickles burned * robbers, and would rush into the palace to save his life, no because I knew that they had been watered with beer. That You May Remember לְמַעַן תִּ זְכרׁ one"But would if thehold man him was blameworthy fleeing from or apunish band ofhim. murderous How could I have known that? But I did know that it is forbidden to introduce changes which alter the ways of was sunk in the depths of impurity and corruption and our fathers. Our forefathers paved the way for future gen- Rebbe Eluzer Menachem of Lelov said: When a man “On the evening of the first Seder in Egypt, Bnei Yisroel peruses a book while at his table and, at the end of the

assimilated. They were forced to leap up and out of the saved from a minicule of Chametz on Pesach. When pickles meal, before returning it to its place, shakes off the crumbs was about to sink into the final depth and be completely erations with their tefillos beseeching Hashem that we be ___

English Supplement - Pesach 5776 • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • 87 Pesach In The Forest

he Russian partisans exerted utter control “We’ll all be there,”~promised the partisans. Tover the forest on whose edge ran the border

from the forest and out meant death. from the forest become“We’re Jewish, more facile,too.” However the partisans that spring,undertook the fightingexceed- inwhich - salvation. separated Therefore, the two the warring Jewish camps. partisans For thedid Jews.all in inglygrew daringmore fierce. missions, When which movement often took in themthe forest to places had their power to transfer every live Jew to safe grounds. far from the forest. The Nazis were in consequence Thus a large number of Jews lived in the forest. un- forced to adopt more vigorous modes of battle, and der the protection of the partisans. Among them, was even ventured into the forest every now and then.

an aged man who had come to the forest, Torah scroll However this boldness proved to be their downfall, for ___ under his arm. Knowing that he had not only saved their penetration into the forest made it easier for the himself, but also his Torah, he was doubly grateful. partisans to trap them. which have fallen into it, [so that there will be no chametz Even in the midst of all this tumult, the Jewish par- unobtainable, was supplied from outside in two man- tisans recalled their promise to the “Rabbi”. On Erev in all the days of the year, the commandment that you ners.Life Either in the it was forest dropped was difficult.into the forest Food whichby Russian was Pessach, they asked their commander for a leave of rememberin his seforim the when day on Pesach which comes,] you went he fulfills,out of inthe this land way, of war planes or was se- absence. Mitzrayim all the days of your life (Devorim 16:3). cured during raids on “This time, it’s dif- * army warehouses in - “All“ Includes the Nights As Well Nazi occupied villag- quest,” the commander es. Because the main toldficult them to grant sternly. your “Our re כּלׁ יְמֵי חַיֶיךָ he Lev Same‘ach of showed exceptional de- task of the war planes position is precarious, Tvotion in his service to Hashem during Succos and, was to reinforce the and no one must leave most particularly so, during the hakafos, when the Sifrei soldiers at the front his post.” Torah are carried about in dance. Even in old age, he did with arms. most of the “But tonight’s a not change his conduct by a hair. food was obtained by holiday for us,” they The local gentile judge was told about his wondrous the second method. protested. behavior and came to the Shul. He remained until after the The Jewish refugees “We promised the hakafos, witnessing the lengthy dancing. After accompa- were sustained by the ‘Rabbi’ that we’d join nying the Rebbe home he said, “I was present during the Jewish partisans who him in the celebration dancing. Had I not seen it, I would not believe it. Your act brought them food. of the redemption. We of devotion stands beyond the bounds of nature! I would In return the refugees can’t disappoint him “ suggest that, in your old age, you leave such tiring service to your sons, or at least, that of the evening, and that Your assisted the partisans “Are you making Honor should devote yourself to the service by day.“ as best they could. fun of me?” the com- The Rebbe rose from his place and declared with great The aged man, who never parted with his Torah mander cried. fervor: “In the presence of Hashem, one must show his de- scroll, expressed his gratitude to the partisans by “What redemption are you talking about?” votion by day and by night, when one is young and when building them a small prayer house. Whenever the “Tonight’s Pessach, and Jews all over the world one is old!“ partisans went out on missions, he would bless them recall our redemtion from Egypt. We have celebrated The judge was so overcome upon hearing this that he and pray for their safe return. In deep appreciation for this holiday for thousands of years.” his warm concern, they, in turn, dubbed him: “Rabbi “O.K. You win. You Jews are always causing prob- to those present, “I think you should leave the Rebbe; he is of the Partisans” . lems.” the commander said with restrained anger. fell over backwards. With difficulty he stood up and said still under the effect of his devotions.“ The tiny prayer house quite often came in handy. “Go ahead and celebrate your holiday. But make sure Such were the impressions of a non-Jew. Whenever a partisan had a yahrzeit for a parent who you’re back on duty by dawn.” * had been murdered by the Nazis, a minyan would be The partisans hurried back to the tiny A Wise One formed, and the partisan would recite Kaddish, vow- where the “Rabbi” awaited them. However, they were ing on the Torah scroll to avenge his dearly departed אֶ חָ ד חָ כָ ם ebbe Simchah Bunim of said: Each one one’s spilt blood. commander had had used the word “Zid” in their pres- Rof the two hundred and forty-eight positive com- *** ence.ill at ease, for this was the first time that the Russian mandments [Aseh] of the Torah tells you, “Be a wise man.“ Spring comes even in wartime. In Nissan, the “Rab- bi of the Partisans” said to his followers: “Through- obtain a leave and related how disillusioned they had [Lo Saseh] says, “Do not be a fool.“ out the year, I am dependent on you for sustenance. beenThe by partisans the attitude told of him the howcommander. difficult it had been to EachHis one disciple, of its threeRebbe hundred Menachem and Mendel sixty-five of ,prohibitions said: I Please don’t cast me off on Pessach, and make a spe- But instead of comforting them with words of his have evidence that it is possible to be a righteous fool. The cial effort to bring me some wheat, so that I may grind own, the “Rabbi” read from the Hagaddah: “This year, gemara tells us that the angel who has been appointed to it and bake kosher matzahs.” we are here - next year in the . This year oversee conceiving takes the soul and places it before the Touched by his words, the partisans took upon we are slaves. Next year, free men.” Holy One and asks, “What will happen to this soul? Will it be the soul of a poor man or a rich man; a wise man or “Yes, yes,” whispered the partisans. “We had imag- During one of their raids, they came across a huge ined that at least in the forest we would not taste the a fool?“ He does not ask whether it is destined for a righ- themselves to fulfill his request, come what may. teous man or a wicked man, because that depends on the granary of wheat which the Nazis had expropriated bitter dregs of exile. How wrong we were!” future free choice of the individual. Thus, it is entirely pos- from the villagers. Not forgetting their promise, the When they arrived at their destination, they were sible that a man will be born a fool, but by proper choice partisnas took a worthy portion of wheat and brought greeted excitedly by their beloved “Rabbi” who wished and self-development he will be righteous. it back for the “Rabbi”. Meanwhile the Rabbi enlisted them all a “Good Yom- Tov”, There you have it - the combination that makes up a their aid in preparing a hand grinder and an oven. “Why were you delayed?” the “Rabbi” asked the righteous fool. “But the main thing, dear son,” the Rabbi told the partisans. * partisans as he thanked them for the wheat, “is that “Next year in Jerusalem,” cried the “Rabbi”. “Amen.

you join me for the Seder. No one is exempt.” Amen.” came the thunderous reply. ___

86 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • English Supplement - Pesach 5776 WHO WERE HIS GUESTS?

Rebbe Yissachar Ber of Radoshitz was to become wagon. Overjoyed she called them in and they came, world-renowned later on in life. He was a man who carrying bags and boxes. She beamed with joy and hast- was G-d fearing and pious and a true oived Hashem. ily began the preparations for the seder. The men put He sat and learned Torah day and night. However, in down their things in a room she gave them and they his younger years he was extremely poor. So much so, hurried off to the mikvah saying that from there they that often there was not enough money to buy a loaf would be going straight to Shul and returning with her of bread for daily use. Many were the days that ended husband. without him and his wife and children having anything In the Bais Hamedrash, after davening the two men to eat. Hunger was their constant companion. Yet the attached themselves to the Rebbe and told him that

Tzaddik was never heard to complain. they were visiting strangers and would like to attend ___ He enforced a strict rule in his household that they his seder. “You are welcome,” he replied warmly, “but were to accept charity from no-one. Neither were they there is nothing to eat in my house” he told them hon- Mitzvohs Are Eternal to borrow from anyone. They would make use of the estly. This did not seem to deter them in any way and -little that they had and the children learned very quick- nothing daunted they walked home together. The atmo חָכָם מָה הוא אומֵ ר ly to do without. His virtuous wife went along with his sphere that met them was one of pure joy. The candles ne must regard himself as if he is on a continual wishes even though it could have been nothing but were burning and a table was set for the seder that journey out of Mitzrayim. After all, Yetzias O hardship for her, and she too, like her holy husband lacked absolutely nothing and the aroma of fresh food Mitzrayim was supposed to be the Geulah Shleima was never heard to protest or cooking wafted into the room. Redemption), except that our ancestor‘s “Rebelled under the chupah,“ i.e., they sinned in the desert. (FinalThus, grumble. The Tzaddik raised his eyebrows as long as the Geulah Shleima has not taken place, the It was the night before Erev in a stern unspoken question Galus is not over. Pesach and there was a hustle but his wife hastened happily to In this light we can obtain a new understanding of the and bustle going on in all the lit- assure her venerable husband Chacham‘s question and the Haggadah‘s answer to him. tle cottages in the village where that these men had brought ev- The Chacham asks: “What are the testimonies, statutes they lived. People were doing erything with them in return for and laws which Hashem our G-d has commanded you?“ the last minute chores and an boarding there and she had not What do we answer him? “One may not eat anything atmosphere of excitement could asked anyone for anything. after eating the Korban Pesach.“ be felt. It permeated the air to It is needless to describe the The Chacham‘s question is as follows: Certainly the such an extent that it was almost joy and unadulterated simcha mitzvohs are eternal. They will be performed even after tangible! Children were watch- of the Tzaddik and his family. It the Geulah occurs and they must be relevant to that time ing wide-eyed as mothers pre- did not take more than a minute as well. Yet, presumably, we will no longer remember the Yetzias Mitzrayim after the Geulah because the pared ten small pieces of bread or two for him to realize that his miracles of the Geulah will far surpass the miracles of to be put all about the house pri- guests were talmidei chacha- Yetzias Mitzrayim. (Precisely this issue is discussed or to . However mim who were extremely well- earlier in the haggadah in the paragraph beginning there was one house that did not versed in Torah. Throughout the “Rebbi Eluzer ben Azaryah said...“) What role does the posses this extra slice of bread! The mitzvah had to be night they sat and told and retold the story of Yetzias Korban Pesach play in the future? - We answer him: One may not eat anything after of the globe in golus have been doing for thousands of eating the Korban Pesach. Rather, halachah requires us breakfulfilled this in practicethe proper of not fashion borrowing and therefore and he sent Reb a Yissa child yearsMitzrayim through as Yidden,our bitter flung history all over and thethe fourchildren corners sat to eat the Korban Pesach after the meal, when we are overchar Berto a hadneighbor no option for a butsmall for slice the fistof bread! time in his life to listening mesmerized. They partook of the seudah pre- satiated. This symbolizes that the Yetzias Mitzrayim, Ridding the house of chametz was one thing but pared, with great relish, enjoying every morsel. which the Korban Pesach represents, will not be bringing in the Pesach was quite another! He knew that complete until we are satiated with the miracles of the there was no way he could be mekeiyem the mitzvah of havdallah the guests departed saying that they were go- Geulah Shleima. The second seder even surpassed the first and after [Drashos Rebbe Avrohom Shaag][5769] “in the evening you shall eat matzos” because he did not ing to learn in the Bais Hamedrash. * posses as much as a single matzo! When the Tzaddik went later to look for them they were not there. Searching high and low throughout Chol Lavan, the Yetzer rolled up outside the home of the Tzaddik and two Hamoed did not bring results. They guests had simply !noble-lookingIt was late menafternoon alighted. when They a magnificentknocked on thecarriage door vanished ולבן ביקש לעקור את הכל... of the humble cottage and inquired of the lady who Six weeks later the Rebbe traveled to Lublin to his "Lavan tried to uproot everything (of opened the door, where could her husband be found. holy Rebbe and beloved mentor the Chozeh and he told Yisroel), as it says: “An Aramean sought to destroy She politely explained to them that he was learning in him what occurred on Pesach. He told his Rebbe of the my father.“ the local Bais Hamedrash. They then asked if it would two guests who had literally saved the situation ffor The Sifrei Chassidus refer to Lavan ha‘Arami as the be possible for them to remain as paying guest for their family at the last moment. yetzer hora, the evil inclination. The yetzer hora seeks Pesach with the family since they were very medakdek The Rebbe smiled and said. “Those guests were the every method to entice us to sin, very much like its (meticulous) on every chumra and wanted to spend angels Michoel and Gavriel who were sent to you from alter ego, Lavan. What is the focus of this attempt? the Yom-Tov only with a family who were G-d fearing Heaven. This is a privilege accorded to very few men. They explain that the yetzer hora has one objective, to in their observances of Pesach with all its strict rulings. With them they brought the bracha of comfort and from sever the Jews‘ relationship with Hashem by destroying Inquiries, they explained, revealed that her husband now on your days of poverty are over.” was just the person they were looking for. So it was. In a short time the greatness of the man When the Jew loses perspective of who he is, ‘banim Sadly she shook her head and tried to hold back was revealed and he became the Rebbe of Radoshitz la‘Makom‘the recognition, children that toHashem Hashem, is ourhe noFather longer in behavesHeaven. appropriately. Hashem‘s essence, the way He relates her tears. She explained that they would be more than and he soon had a crowd of followers that numbered in to us, and, consequently, our relationship to Him, will welcome except for the fact that there was no food in the thousands who looked up to him and revered their save us from transgression. When we lose sight of these the house. They laughed it off and jovially told her that holy Rebbe and took care of his every need and he never fundamentals, we are vulnerable to temptations. [5769] they had brought with everything needed from matzos suffered from want again. * to wine, food and drink for the duration of the Yom-Tov. He became one of the giants of Torah and chassidus Don‘t Worry Trust in Hashem It was all neatly piled up in the back of their spacious of his generation.

English Supplement - Pesach 5776 • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • 85 Friend or Foe?

ews that the new natchalnik (chief of police) the chief of police was just a step behind him. delicious aroma could arouse the appetite of even the Nwould not make life easy for the Jews spread “Halt,“ cried the chief in jest. “Have you forgotten me so quickly throughout the town. If under the supervision of quickly?“ guest who struggled desperately to swallow his portion. a “good“ natchlnik life had been treacherous, what had we Reb Zev apologized, saying that he was so wrapped up finickiest of eaters. It was then the Reb Zev glanced at his to anticipate now that a new chief had been sent for the in his Pesach plans, that he was oblivious to all that was “They‘re delicious,“ “Only...,“ he replied, unable to express purpose of crushing the rebellious spirit of the Jews happening in the street. proceed.“Don‘t Then you likeafter my a wife‘smoment‘s fish?“ silence, Reb Zev he inquired. burst out into In a panic, the leaders of the community rapidly made “Pesach?“ asked the chief with great interest. “When uncontrollable sobbing. Struggling to recall something, he plans to avert the impending misery. After much debate, does it fall this year?“ began to groan. At last, he cried: it was decided to resort to the age-old and time-tested “In two more days,“ replied Reb Zev. “On Tuesday.“ “Shma Yisroel! Shma Yisroel!“ method of bribery. Reb Zev Kirschel was chosen as the man “On Tuesday? Perhaps you‘ll invite me to your Seder?“ A heavy silence fell over the room. No one dared speak. Reb Zev turned white as a sheet and began to fumble for Soon, the chief regained his composure, and begged the words. That‘s all he needed was a gentile at his Seder. Not guests to listen to his story: whosefor the job.record A wealthy was spotless financeer, and Reb which Zev was had experienced never been in only would the gentile‘s presence disturb the holiday mood, “When I was eleven years old,“ he began, “I was involveddealing with in rebellious Russian officials.activities. He also hailed from a family but it would also cause halachic problems. kidnapped from my widowed mother and taken into the As soon as the natchalnik arrived in town, Reb Zev Sensing that Reb Zev was uncomfortable, the natchalnik Czarist army. I was placed in the home of a gentile, where I paid him a visit, welcoming him in the name of the Jewish said: “Think the matter over. Only please notify me about existed on dry bread for many months. However, I became community. The chief of police received Reb Zev cordially, your decision by twelve o‘clock tomorrow. Don‘t worry, very ill. When I recovered, I forgot my past and grew up and over a cup of tea, the two discussed the affairs of the as one of the farmer‘s sons. I so excelled in the army, that Jews of the town. Reb Zev and the chief were pleased to I was awarded a golden medal, and was promoted have made each other‘s acquaintance, and expressed though. If you find it difficult to invite me, we‘ll still remain from position to position, until at last I became a high their hopes of meeting again. The heads of the community listened to Reb Zev‘s “I had nearly forgotten that I was Jewish, until report of his meeting with awe. However on second theranking day officerI learnt in thatthe policethe farmers force.“‘ in my region were thought, they grew suspicious, wondering whether planning a vicious pogrom against the Jews. Suddenly, the natchalnik was merely pretending friendship in I felt an kinship with the Jews, and knew that it was my order to glean information to be used against the Jews. responsibility to protect them.“ It was decided, therefore, that although Reb Zev was “On the day of the pogrom, I mobilized a large force to nurture his friendship with the chief of police, he of police to disperse the marauders. A week later I was was to tread cautiously. court-martialed and demoted to the rank of natchalnik A few days later, Reb Zev paid another visit to in a small village - your village. The reason for my the natchalnik, and again, the two spoke at length. demotion was plainly stated. I had done wrong to Before leaving, Reb Zev handed him a sealed envelope prevent the pogrom. It was not the business of the police and said: “Please accept this loan as a token of our to prevent violence, only to interfere when things got friendship. You may return it at your convenience.“ out of hand. Besides the Jews were menaces, and a few But the chief replied: “Thank you very much. good beatings would do them no harm. This incident However I don‘t need a loan. I have no family, and do aroused the Jewish spark in me, and I decided to go out of my way to be kind to Jews. When I met you two days Reb Zev tried to persuade him to accept the ago, and you mentioned Pessach, scenes from a distant bribe,not drink, but theand chiefmy salary persistantly suffices refused. for my needs.“ With a heavy heart, Reb Zev returned home, feeling that the chief‘s Seder at my parents‘ home, and yearned to attend one refusal was a bad omen. “Surely those who say that his oncepast again. began Although to float throughI did not myunderstand mind. I the recalled words the of friendship is false are right,“ he mused. “He‘s probably plotting against us.“ to see my mother, standing beside me, pleading: `My A few weeks later, the chief again summoned Reb son,the Hagaddah, return to your I was roots‘, filled withand I deep recalled emotion. her last I seemed words Zev and said: to me as I was being taken away: `My son, when you “Recently posters denouncing the Czar were are set free, go to a synagogue and recite Kaddish for posted on the billboards in town. I have already arrested two your poor mother. By that time she will long have been in offenders, I know that two Jewish youths are also involved good friends.“ her grave. in this affair. Tell them in my name that I am aware of their “Don‘t misunderstand me,“ replied Reb Zev. “I‘d love activities, and that I advise them to stay out of matters not to have you. But the laws of Pesach are very intricate and “Teach me to say Kaddish, and take me to her grave, so that their own. If they do not heed my advice, I will have no stringent. You‘ll have to accommodate yourself to them, and I can“Now, tell her I wantI did her to fulfillbidding. her Then last I wish,“will put he an concluded. end to my choice but to arrest them. I did not summon them to the life.“ station, for then I would have had to apprehend them along “Don‘t worry about me,“ replied the chief. “I‘ll manage. A black cloud of gloom shrouded the house. The women with the other culprits. I pitied them and their families. Beg may“Well find itthen, difficult.“ I‘ll send my son to fetch you tomorrow night.“ dried their eyes, and the men could not speak. At last, Reb them not to force me to take action against my will.“ The night of the Seder. Around Reb Zev‘s table were Zev broke the silence, saying: Reb Zev summoned the two young “heroes“ to the home seated his sons, daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren. “An end has already been put to the wretched life of the of the rabbi, who admonished them severely, making them The chief of police was placed next to a son-in-law who was Russian natchalnik vow to desist from their seditious activities. now on he shall be called Yisroel, and will begin a new and Now the community was even more confused. The ancient and poignant melody which had been taught to him happy life.“ Gregori. Gregori no longer lives. From natchalnik couldn‘t be that bad if he had pitied the two byfluent his grandfather.in Russian. Reb Every Zev now recited and then,the Hagaddah, he would usingpause anto Reb Zev‘s words, so wholeheartedly spoken, revived the insurgent youths. Yet why had he refused the bribe? Was he elucidate a particular passage, or to expound on a certain a foe, putting on an act in order to trap the Jews, or was he phrase, and nearly forgot about his guest, who had lapsed and eagerly looked forward to a bright future. a sincere friend? into a strange melancholy. guestOn and Chol strengthened Ha‘Moed, the him. natchalnik Soon he disappeared. was filled with Only hope, the Two days before Pesach, Reb Zev was walking along the Kirshcel family knew his whereabouts. street, mentally planning his Seder, and did not notice that *** At the close of the first half of the Seder, all rose to wash their hands for the meal. Reb Zev‘s wife served a fish whose

84 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • English Supplement - Pesach 5776 A Timely D‘Var Torah possibility for the biggest rasha to become the greatest Tzaddik, such a person is the The Lisker Rav retold this story: It was kind of rasha which the Haggadah refers to before Pesach one year and Rebbe Mordechei among the ‘four sons‘.“ of Nadvorne spent a Shabbos in a town and *** he sent me a message with one of the towns- folk. The message was a little different be- A White Kittel cause it was in form of a D‘var Torah! On Pesach night we wear a white “It is stated in the Shulchan Aruch that kittel, because the Yidden were freed from one begins to learn the halachos of Pesach Mitzrayim in the merit that they did not thirty days before the onset of the actual chag. change their names, language and clothing. The Rema explains “The minhag is to A kittel is a garment which is certainly collect ma‘os chittin and distribute it among never worn by a goy. This is to show that in the poor.“ the zechus of this garment they we taken Now what is the connection between the out of Mitzrayim. *** two? Normally the Rema only adds his own insights when there is a connection between V‘Kan Haben Sho'el the two. Here obviously the Rema meant This is an expression of beseeching to say. “In the long run it does not matter Hashem. Since we are His sons, we can whether you will hold a speech on what you learned about Pesach, as long as the poor night for whatever we need spiritually have what to eat!“ and“ask“ ourmaterialistically Father on this ( ruchniyus great and holyand When the messenger repeated this vort gashmiyus). to me I was overwhelmed at the Tzaddik‘s * ruach hakodesh. That very same day, while A chassid of the Tiferes Shlomoh of I was preparing points to speak about on my who was barren after many years Shabbos Hagadol Drashah, a poor widow of marriage, asked the Rebbe for a bracha came to me and she cried that there was no else‘s chametz, “eina tzarich bedikah“- there was the interesting minhag of for children. money for matzos for Pesach! should not concern you and no need to decorating the entire Seder table with The Rebbe told him to remain in As soon as I heard that vort, I put aside search and verify!“ Radomsk for Pesach. my seforim and went to bake matzos for her *** well as sweet smelling spices with exotic At the seder he asked the chassid. “Do wreaths of flowers and bunches of roses as you see what is written here? Kan Haben and her family. My loyal Chassidim came The Holiest Night fragrances. with me and through our joint efforts the *** Shoel – Here is the place to ask for a son! It is written clearly in the ! widow had more matzos than she needed for The Novi (Yeshaya 30:29) refers to the Haggadah Daven No One Understood Why with and you will be helped!“ her family for the whole of Yom Tov!“ night of Pesach as “Leil Hiskadesh Chag. kavana The chassid fervently with *** – the night that the festival (Pesach) is One year before Pesach the holy davened Shpoler Zeida traveled around the hamlets great kavana from the depth of his heart. Why Do We Burn The Candle? The Pri Tzaddik explains: Pesach is the and villages surrounding the town of By the following Pesach he and his wife Why do we burn the candle used for root,sanctified“ the source of holiness of all Yomin Shpole. Whenever he could, he gathered were the elated parents of a baby boy! bedikas chametz? It is not chametz. Tovim, therefore the Novi calls it Hiskadesh large quantities of wheat, which he then *** Chametz alludes to the yetzer hora, and Chag placed in special warehouses. People were Please Redeem Us From This Galus! since the candle which searched for the than by the name Pesach. puzzled and many eyebrows were raised. In Austria there was a time when the chametz it also becomes sullied! (A broom – when Yom Tov*** is sanctified, rather The reason became clear soon enough. imposed a rule that gentiles used for sweeping also becomes dirty!) Shortly before Pesach Rabbonim Seeing Eliyahu Hanovi should be present throughout the baking of Therefore we also burn the candle. . This was obviously done to dispel *** One Pesach night at the seder at shefoich were destroyed much to a firethe horror broke outof the in Matzohs chamascho, the Kotzker Rebbe motioned to Yiddenthe wheat. What fields would and be many with acres matzohs of wheat? the rumor that Jews used Christian blood Search My Heart! one of his chassidim to open the door for for baking matzohs - a common blood-libel in those years. When the Ahavas Yisroel of Vizhnitz Eliyahu HaNovi. The wheat which the Tzaddik had bedikas chametz he would point to The chassid complied but returned hoarded was distributed and everyone had Rebbe Shmelke of Nikolsburg had a gentile neighbor who was a high class his heart, and tell his shammes. “Our holy with a look of disappointment on his face. matzos for Pesach. seforimfinished teach us that chametz refers to He was upset that he did not merit to see *** noble. Rebbe Shmelke would invite him the yetzer hora in the heart of man. Please Eliyahu HaNovi. to attend the seder and he would translate search for the chametz in my heart!“ The Rebbe understood and said. The Number Four! the Haggadah for him word by word. The The shammes would immediately reply. Rebbe Yonason Eibishitz was a child nobleman was intrigued. This went on for “Rebbe, we are taught that “Kol makom that Eliyahu HaNovi comes in through the prodigy and was seldom at a loss for an a number of years. sh‘ein machnisin bo chametz, eina tzarich door?“Foolish He mancomes that in through you are. one‘s Do youmind!“ think answer even at an extremely young age. He One year at the end of the seder Rebbe bedikah“, in a place where chametz does not *** was asked the following question. Shmelke lifted his hands to Heaven and with tears streaming down his cheeks he enter there is no need to search!“ Adorning The Seder Table Many mitzvohs are associated with *** the number four. There are four special cried out “Leshanah Habo B‘Yerushalayim“ There were many different ways how parshi‘os. arba minim) we with great kavana. He added. “Holy Check Your Own Chametz! Tzaddikim adorned their seder tables. The use on Succos. tzitzis on a talis koton Bashefer, I beseech You and beg You in The Kozhnitzer Maggid would say. holy Chasam Sofer used vessels made from and we drinkFour four species cups of ( wine at the seder. every language of bakasha please redeem “Many people are busy “checking“ other pure silver. So why do we only Four have three matzohs? us from this long galus. Don‘t You realize people‘s chametz! Discussing the other * how embarrassed I am in front of the goy person‘s aveiros and his yetzer hora! They Rebbe Hillel of Kolomaya adorned his break the middle matzah in half so that sitting here? How many years do I have transgressed speaking lashon hora, rechilus seder table with the manuscripts of divrei thereIn shoulda flash alsohe answered. be four matzohs. “This is why we to ask You?“ and shaming another person. Torah which he had written, explaining. *** *** Dovid Hamelech states in Tehillim, “Tov Li He explained the Gemara: “Kol makom Smaller May Be Greater she‘machnisin bo chametz – everywhere Toras Pi‘cha mei‘alphei zahav v‘kessef – You The Definition of A Rasha where you bring in chametz, make sure to Torah is worth to Me more than all the gold The Yismach Yisroel of Alexander once At the Seder of the Tzemach Tzedek, search for it. and silver!“ said at the seder: the Rebbe of Lubavitch, one of those pres- On the other hand, “Kol makom she‘ein * “He who does not believe that the ent, after breaking the middle matzah, machnisin bo chametz“ a place where you In Turkey, in the ancient city of Izmir, sanctity of this great night brings with it the measured the pieces against each other to do not bring in chametz, if it is someone 888

English Supplement - Pesach 5776 • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • 83 A Passover Melody

in Gardelegen, Germany, where the 1,016 not only one has risen against us to annihilate us, but Rslaveains had laborers extinguished perished. the flamesWhen ofthe the rainsbarn in every“It is thisgeneration that has theystood rise by ouragainst ancestors us to andannihilate us. For stopped, the survivors from the burning barn, other us. But the Holy One, Blessed be He, rescues us from inmates and POW‘s, were loaded on trucks guarded by their hand.“ Germans and gendarmes, and driven to the woods to When the lad concluded the translation, the Ger- be shot. The woods were a few kilometers from camp. man burst into a, wild, mocking laughter. “Let‘s see how The air smelled fresh and clean. The your G-d will save you from my hands.“ young brother and his cousin were “I am still alive, but I am not afraid on one of the trucks. to die,“ replied the lad. “I am bored,“ said one of the They reached a clearing in the for- guards. “Hey, you Jew boy, sing for est. In groups of six, they were taken to me one of your holiday songs and a ravine in the forest and shot. The two 888 hymns!“ The cousin, a young chassid, cousins were among the last group. had a very beautiful voice. On the face of the German guard was On seeing this, the Rebbe remarked, “lf an object must an expression of triumph as the young besee measured which was to the determine bigger andwhether would it serveis great, as thenafikoman. even days after the holiday of Pesach. lads were led to their death. It was April 15, 1945, only five something small may be greater than it. [The Rebbe was The young lad started to sing a song Suddenly, a motorcycle arrived making a general statement about greatness and great from the Pesach Haggadah, “Ve‘hi with two high-ranking German of- men. Greatness which only can be determined in compari- she‘amdah la-avoseinu.“ The melody son with others is not true greatness.] was a beautiful one. Soon the other prisoners to be taken back to camp. ficials. They ordered all remaining *** slave laborers of various nation- Gardelegen had just‘ surrendered to alities and the guards joined in the singing. The gentle the American Army. He Knew Where To Find Him! spring wind carried the song to the other trucks in the One of the lads died shortly after liberation. His One Erev Pesach the holy Chozeh of Lublin sent a death convoy and they, too, hummed the melody. group of his talmidim to bake matzohs for the seder. He As they approached the forest, the German guard he died a free man!“ appointed Rebbe Tzvi Elimelech of author of Bnei stopped the singing. “Tell me the meaning of your song; lungsV‘Hakodosh were very Baruch damaged Hu byMatzileinu the Gardelegen Miyodom... fires. But Yisoschor to head the group. translate it for me.“ The chassidic lad translated: At dawn he was nowhere to be found. They searched high and low, in the local Bais Hamedrash and in his lodging but he was not there. It was known that he merited to see Eliyahu HaNovi at the Korban Pesach. Neither the Yidden, and nor The Sanzer Rav said. “I know where he is. You all seder, as a result. are we worthy, so we have fallen into the Arab‘s hands!“ know that when it comes to being mekayem a mitzvah A group of his chassidim were very anxious to attend sacrificed as a *** Gemara there is to be found on his seder so that they too would be able to see Eliyahu Avoiding the Mikveh that subject! He then peruses Chassidishe and HaNovi. To their surprise the Rebbe readily acquiesced. he will first review every seforim on that subject. To me there is no doubt that he is They did not think he would consent so easily. They were Rebbe Meir of Premishlan was so stringent on the presently studying in the Bais Hamidrash of the Marshal elated. kashrus of Pesach that he would not even immerse in the because there are so many seforim to be found there.“ The seder was an uplifting experience! Suddenly after Mikveh for fear that a crumb of chametz And so it was. There they found him deeply immersed benching they were all overcome with a feeling of tiredness in the water and chas V‘sholom attach itself to his body. studying with two piles of seforim piled high on the table, and one by one they dozed off. *** might be floating almost concealing his presence. Minutes later, after “Shefoch Chamoscha“ they awoke to Sifting the Sand *** see the Tzaddik calmly continuing with the Haggadah. The Vorki Rebbe would act at his Seder as though he I Don't Give Up So Easily! They were not even puzzled! They understood all too well! had just been redeemed from Mitzrayim. Hundreds of matzohs, R‘Shimon a chassid of *** avodah. the Sanzer Rav wished the tzaddik, “Next year we should On the night of Bedikas Chametz, the chassidim came to be zochehHaving to finished eat matzohs baking in Yerushalayim!“ Simanim at the Seder listenChassidim the Rebbe would recite flock “toAl him biur to chametz see his,“ holy and volunteer for Instead of answering him with a fervent “Amen“ the The holy Rebbe Choneh Halberstam of Kolishtiz Hy"d. the tedious and exhausting job of searching for chametz. Sanzer Rav said. “I don‘t give up so easily! I still hope with was the epitome of humility. One year he sat at his Seder, Then they would work throughout the night, spreading all my heart that we will be zocheh kezayis of sadly contemplated the simanim (symbolic dishes) laying matzoh in Yerushalayim – tonight- this year!“ on the ka'aroh in front of him. Hamidrash, carefully sifting the sand to ensure that it did to eat the first *** “We place the Zero‘ah, as a symbol to the Korban nota layer contain of pure any white speck sand of chametz! on the earthen floor of the Bais Why Is He Called A Chacham? Pesach! We place an egg as a symbol to the Korban Cha- *** giga, and the Korech is “Zeicher le‘mikdash k‘Hillel!‘ Haggadah called The More The Better! He pointed to himself and said. “When a Rebbe of a chacham? Why not a Tzaddik which is the opposite of Chassidim, sits down to the Seder, he is nothing more than The Haggadah mentions various opinions about how the Whyrasha is? the first of the four sons of the a symbol to his forbears, the holy we once had. A many makos Hashem brought on the Egyptians. The Ropshitzer Rav explained that in order to defeat Sanzer Rav! A Shinover Rav! Rebbi Yosi Hagelili says: “In Mitzrayim there were ten a rasha – the rasha which is contained within each of Today? I sit at the head of the table and I am nothing makos Rebbi Eliezer says: us, namely the yetzer hora more than a symbol of the glory we once had!“ “In Mitzrayim there were forty makos and by the sea, two righteous. This is because the evil inclination has such an , and by the sea, another fifty!“ *** hundred!“ Rebbi Akiva says: “In Mitzrayim amazing power that it is easy, it for is nothim sufficientto overcome just a to man be makos – even a good man. The Crying Sheep! What difference does it make how many there makos were there fifty One has to be really smart, quick and alert to be able Rebbe Avrohom Simcha Horowitz of Barnov z"tl, who were? and by the sea there were two hundred and fifty.“ to outsmart the yetzer hora – in fact, one has to be a real lived in Yerushalayim many years ago related the follow- The Vilna Gaon answers. It is written, “Kol hamachla chacham! ing story. asher samti beMitzrayim, lo osim oleichah,“ -- Every *** “One year, on Erev Pesach, he was walking through sickness which was brought against the Mitzrayim, I will In Deep Slumber! Shaar Shechem (The Damascus Gate) and an Arab shep- not bring on you. Therefore, the more makos that were brought on the Rebbe Chaim Yosef Gottleib of Stropkev was a great sheep were “baa baabing! However, I heard them crying in Mitzrayim, the fewer will be for Yidden! man. He was very active in the mitzvah of pidyon shevu‘im pain.herd “Oy,was ifleading only we a hadflock been of sheep. worthy, To we the would simple have ear been the *** and went to great length to rescue Yidden from captivity.

82 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • English Supplement - Pesach 5776 Oneg Yom Tov

A Special Story for Yom Tov• M. Schreiber

“Sreifas Chametz!“

--eb Shloma was an ehrliche Yid. He unable to travel to the nearby town and he decided to promised to take care of it and Reb Shloima relaxed. It was was man who served his Creator with ask his good friend Reb Zundel to do him the favor and a load off his mind! love and respect. He davened and made him a shaliach to sell his chametz in his stead. He Reb Zundel learned Torah whenever he had a was a trustworthy person and a man willing to help out a of Yom Tov. He spent the joyous festival with his extended spare Rmoment. He lived with his wife and family in a small friend in need, so, as had hoped, he willingly family who resided was not in inanother the village town. for He the came first twohome days to Reb Shlomoh village that was almost devoid of Yidden. There was no Rav acquiesced. the village on the second day of Chol Hamoed. Therefore or Dayan, only a small minyan or two of people like him. it followed that the two men did not meet in Shul The reason why he lived there was because he to make sure that everything was included. The wheat, two days of Yom-Tov. the first managed to earn a good living and for parnosah what the Nowvats, camethe utensils the difficult used for part processing of the “selling“. the liquid. He hadHe On the second day of Chol Hamoed, Reb Shloima was included the bins in which the wheat was stored, pots in walking through the main street in their small village, village, he who loved learning Torah and who loved a Bais which the wheat was cooked and the utensils used to stir dressed in his Yom-Tov Hamidrashdoes one not and do? missed Difficult it greatly, as it was he for made him the to livebest in of such a towards him? His good friend Reb Zundel. Reb Zundel, it and never complained. It never interfered with his finery. Who did he see coming avodas Hashem and he was liked and respected by abreast he raised his eyes and beheld Reb Shloima all who knew him, his friends, as well as the villagers walkingdid not seetowards him athim. first He and stopped as they with drew a startled almost who knew him as a kind and gentle man. look on his face and Reb Shloima saw him go pale. He In order to earn a living, Reb Shlomoh then dropped his eyes and did not look at his friend. manufactured all kinds of spirits and whiskies. He His pallor now changed and his face was red with embarrassment. Reb Shloima looked at him, spoke them from scratch. He planted seeds to grow his nothing but understood everything! His good friend owndid not wheat. only He sell then the cultivated finished product the wheat, but and he madewent had not carried out his mission! His chametz had through the whole process to manufacture whisky not been sold! He knew that it had been a pure oversight on enhance its taste, then bottled it and sold it. It was the part of his good friend who was a good man, he hardin huge work vats. which He entailed would addlong various hours but flavorings in the end to had simply forgotten to keep his promise! But, this yielded good results. He managed to earn a decent negligence on his part now rendered Reb Shloima a living to support his family and for this he was poor man! He would now lose everything he owned grateful to Hashem and never failed to thank Him in because one may have no use of chametz that was his tefillos. Who knew better than he how many of not sold on Pesach. his brethren were struggling just to put bread on the Reb Zundel hung his head in shame and Reb table! Shloima went over and patted his back and said The many goyim living in the area favored his “Good Yom-Tov! Don‘t worry! The best of us can whisky because it was strong, extremely tasty and his make mistakes!“ He walked on in a hurry. He had to prices were decent. Also because he was an honest decide what to do. Reb Zundel realized that his guilt man and they trusted him, knowing that he would must have been clearly written on his face and called never cheat them. Many were the times that “pure“ after his friend “I must admit to you that I honestly whisky was sold and it had a greater percentage of forgot! Zie mir moichel!“ water in it then alcohol! Reb Shlomoh sold the “pure“ The good man turned back and hastened to stuff! comfort him and promised him that he bore him no When Erev Pesach rolled around each year there was the mixture. All his equipment as well and any instruments grudge. Now it was left to him to go home and tell his wife the whole procedure of selling his chametz to the Rav in used for distilling and then bottling the whisky were (who was a true tzeddeikes) that they were now penniless. the nearby large town since there was no Rav residing in included on this list. His whole parnosah was gone! A comfortable man day and his own village. Being a very meticulous man, he made a Now being an extremely ehrliche person, he also sold a pauper the next day! clear and detailed list of all his possessions that were in the tables on which he worked and the shed where most His wife accepted the news without a word of complaint. any way involved with his parnosah. All of them had to be of the processing took place. One could never be sure that All she wanted to know was what they had to do now. How included in the “selling“ and it was something he did with wheat did not stick to the walls, and had not been properly did one handle such a situation? He gently explained to extreme care and concentration, making sure that he did cleaned off and thus he felt better and safer if he sold not omit anything. everything into chametz. her that they could derive no benefit whatsoever from the The year that this story took place he was extremely Reb Zundel took the long and clearly written list and Continued on next page busy. Circumstances were such that he found himself business. He would spill the whisky, set fire to the shed and

English Supplement - Pesach 5776 • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • 81 PUZZLES FOR Pesach by Reb Tuvia 1 Each clue hints at a letter from the aleph­beis. Who am I? 1. The opposite of ��. 2 If you get all the letters correctly, they will spell z 2. “These” Seven letters make up my name; 3 i .out a phrase from the Hagodo 3. The first king in Am Yisroel. No two of them are the same. 4

u 4. He was niftar at the age of 52.

1. Foot and hand. s 5 5. The opposite of ����.

I come right before Shir Hama'alos, s 2. My son was niftar at the age of 110. 6 But I'm not in Tehillm (or even Tehillos). 6. One of the karbonos. e

s q 3. I’m there twice in every roof. 7. “If” 7

i 4. I sound like a door. In me there's ayin but no yesh you'll meet, 8. ����� ���� ��� ���� ��� ��" 8

e 5. I’m first and least. My four, five and six will get you on your feet. 9 9. “Brave” 6. I’m at the beginning of your head. r L 10. One of the simonim of the seider. 10 My first, third and last complete a brochoh, 7.I’m first, but only in the Torah. 11. Another word for ����. 11 While I, myself, complete a certain se'udah. 8. You can see with me. h b 12 9. Hay, come here! e o 12. The opposite of ����. p Who Am I? 13. “Who?” 13

10. I’m in Bo and Beshalach. r e 11. Same as number 2. 14. “Water” 14 o 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 l 12. I’m the smallest. 15. A daughter of Amrom. 15

a 16. Bnei Yisroel were slaves there 13. There are two versions of me. I’m the closed one. M 16 for over 200 years. 17 17. “They are running” FIT IN 18 get together     18. We get this from sheep. answers for THE WORDS   19       19. The opposite of ����.         20. “He watched” 20 COLOR CODE parashas tazria              22. This worm was used to build 21 There are two clouds, MIX-UP PAIRS           ����� ���� ����� ��� ����� ��������� ��� ���� ����� ����� ��� the beis hamikdosh. 22 the color of clouds is            ���� use the second ������ ���� ���� ��� ������ ���� ���� ��� ��� ���� ��� ���              22. Five times four 23 ��� ���  letter ­ �. There are two        23. ������ ���� ����� ������ parasha puzzler         24 leaves ­ ���� use the �      24. One of the four bonim. 25 and so on. Yitchak Avinu, and Eliezer the son of Moshe Rabbeinu.     25. A son of Yehuda.

Continued from previous page alchahol. The joy felt there was tangible. The Yidden sat Jews, but this? burn all its contents since they were chametz. He instructed down to the beautifully prepared seudah After Pesach was over Reb Shloima realized that the his wife to prepare a lavish Pesach seudah for all the Yidden played one joyous tune after another and was accompanied best thing for him to do would be to relocate. He could living in the village. Whilst the shed would burn, they by heartfelt singing, led by Reb Shloima. Radiance and the lit fiddler up his not really be severally punished for destroying his own would celebrate the zechus of being able to burn chametz property, but he knew that the Poretz and the goyim would without a cheshbon and being mekeiyem a mitzvah! He also soared! consider his crazy and it would bode no good. There was faceMeanwhile that shone news even of brighter this debacle than reachedthe fire theand ears his ofheart the also no point in trying to make the Poretz understand! It the seudah and play for them so as to be mesamayach the Poretz. He could not believe that he was hearing right. He would be beyond his grasp! peopleordered as a theyman carriedwho played out the the mitzvah fiddle beautifully with joy and to come elation. to knew that the Jewish Torah put emphasis on not wasting He therefore left his home behind and resettled in Now the goyim in the village knew full well that the or destroying even food, who speaks about property, and another village. There he started again from scratch and Jews were different. They had a totally different life-style; here this Jew had set fire to his entire business and it it was not easy. However, this did not break his spirit. He they had a grudging respect for them because they lived was burning down to the ground? relived in his mind the few hours when he could really He rushed to the scene and was disgusted to see how the say in all honesty that he had carried out a mitzvah, a other as did the villagers. Oh yes, they did strange things peasants were still licking up every last drop of the spilled command from the Torah, “bechol levovecha! Bechol andcalm they lives. certainly They did carried not fightout strange and scream rituals, and but beat this eachthey whisky. He watched the shed burning and rushed into the nafshecha u‘vchol me‘odecha!“ With all his heart and all had never before seen! The Jew was pouring out vat after home of the Jew who was calmly sitting and hosting a seuda his soul as well as with all his possessions! This was not vat of excellent whisky! Yes, he was pouring it away! for his Jewish friends and neighbors! What was going on? an opportunity given to many and his heart soared with The news spread rapidly by word of mouth and they happiness whenever he remembered it. One could do a came in droves to watch this spectacle. There was no way spread and do untold damage. More than anything else mitzvah with one‘s heart, one could involve one‘s soul, but they would allow the stuff to go to waste. They grabbed thatDid heenraged not realize him, washow the dangerous calm nonchalance it was? The of firethe couldman! the opportunity to include all of one‘s possessions as well, hold of whatever they could and literally licked off the The music blared and he was as calm and relaxed as any was rare! whisky. Vat after vat! They had heyday! Wherever a little The person who told this story added that a short while pool accumulated, without any shame or embarrassment, know what to think! later a son was born to Reb Shloima and his chashuva wife. they lay down and lapped it up avidly and it did not take manThinking at a celebration that the party man had– he taken was flummoxed! leave of his Hesenses, did not he They named him Chaim. He was none other than the famous told him that a severe punishment was awaiting him. He author of Be‘er Mayim Chaim who became the talmid of and very soon after, totally drunk! It did not take long for would not listen to any explanations because as far as he Rebbe Mechel of Zlotchiv and later the world renowned Rav chaoslong for to them reign. to become first merry, then loud and raucous, was concerned nothing made any sense. He was furious! of Chernovitch whose Torah and chachmah illuminated the Whilst the goyim were busy lapping up the whisky, Reb However, he said that he would settle the matter after world. Shloima the Jewish holiday was over! He turned and left in utter Rebbe Chaim, the Be‘er Mayim Chaim relocated to Eretz Yisroel where he passed away and is buried in the holy city Reb Shloima set fire to the shed and its entire contents and the putting it mildly. He always had a grudged respect for the of Tzefas! flames roared upwards towards the heaven. bewilderment. To say that he was baffled and confused is *** sang and danced as the fiddler played and the flames climbed higher and higher helped along by the

80 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • English Supplement - Pesach 5776 "Every Corner of the House Must be Searched for Chametz"

aran Rebbe Yehoshua of Belz, able. When he was sure they were sound not a soul in sight. Not a soul could be body had fooled them, that somebody Mzy"a, pointed out that the words asleep, he tiptoed into their little encamp- seen except those cows grazing in the ad- was close at hand, near the cows, perhaps “bodkin es hachametz“ literally mean, ment and made a beeline straight for the jacent field. the herdsman. They would have gone out “search the leaven.“ This is more than a money bag. It was heavy, all right, full of They sighed and shrugged their shoul- and searched for the culprit. They would directive merely to “search the house for coins. He lifted it gently off its branch and ders in an attempt to make peace with the have found him and retrieved their money leaven.“ carried it silently away. situation. “Those cows,“ they comment- and not made themselves into a laughing- Chametz symbolizes the yetzer hara. It Returning to his place behind the ed, “look what they have done! Without a stock. is not sufficient to search for and locate all bushes, he thought: This is a real fortune. doubt, they did it. After all, it is their dung Doesn't it begin to sound familiar? the various kinds of chametz within our- What shall I do with it? If I herd away we found in place of our coins. Of course, Our hearts could be filled with precious selves. Rather, after we locate it, we must all the cows now with loud screams and who has ever heard of cows climbing up "coins" of knowledge, good deeds, and examine the chametz itself! With the light whacks on their hindquarters, those men a tree, untying a bag, stealing coins - what refined character traits for which we have of truth, we must determine its origin, are sure to wake up and realize that their do they need money for? - gathering dung worked and struggled. But no one can identify the weak spots in our personality bag is gone. If I run away by myself, the and filling a bag with it?! It seems that remain awake at all times. It is bound to through which the yetzer hara gained its owner of the cows will get angry and they are guilty, yet, how can we try them happen that we fall asleep and lose con- unwelcome entry, and fortify them with whip me to death. What should I do? for their crime?“ sciousness. And it is for such opportune extra safeguards. We must cease look- He thought and thought and finally The Rebbe ended his story. All the times that our old enemy, the yetzer hara, ing at our lives superficially, and learn to came up with a plan. He would empty the Chassidim laughed. All, that is, except waits. We may be asleep, but he is fully identify the roots of our problems. Then coins out of the sack and bury them under one, the Rebbe‘s son, Maran Rebbe awake. Before we know it, something is we must learn to uproot these problems the bushes. Then, he would fill the bag Aharon. He stood up and began to trem- missing. The yetzer has stealthily crept in, and begin anew. taken from us what is real and enduring, With this penetrating insight, we can and exchanged it for...chametz. When we understand the following parable which finally come to our senses and take stock was once told by Maran Rebbe Yehosh- of ourselves, we find that we are full ua‘s son, Maran Rebbe Yissochor Dov of of chametzdik delusions and illusions, Belz, to a group of Chassidim between worthless ideas, unrefined impulses, - un Minchah and Ma‘ariv. wanted merchandise. Without realizing Once there were two merchants who it, however, we shrug our shoulders in an took their wares to the fair in the neigh- attempt to make peace with the situation. boring township. They each sold out and "That is how life is,“ we say. “The made a decent profit and set out to return world is full of such things, and somehow home. It was still quite early, their destina- a little of it rubbed off on me. I thought I tion so close, and the weather so pleasant, had something good, but it seems to be they decided to travel by foot. lost now, while these other things have They walked and walked until they entered into my heart and mind and sul- grew tired. The noon-day sun beat mer- lied my soul. That‘s the situation and cilessly upon their heads, and their legs there‘s barely anything I can do about it. began to feel heavier than lead. In the But such acquiescence is a grave distance they sighted a tree that offered mistake! We mustn‘t give up and admit plenty of shade, they decided to lie down defeat and think that we can just go on for a short while and renew their strength. without correcting ourselves. We must Wanting nothing more than to rest their go a little deeper and contemplate: How weary bones, they were ready to take their back up with cow dung and return it to its ble. did this happen? Who penetrated our for- naps, but one problem prevented them. original place. And so, he stuffed the bag There is certainly something ee- tress? Who stole our riches? We would What to do with the money bag they were as full as he could until it bulged. He then rie about this parable. And although the then discover the culprit, the yetzer hara. carrying which was overflowing with stole back to the scene of the crime and Rebbe did not explain its moral, we shall We would realize that nothing just hap- coins? Where could they put it while they silently suspended the bag from the same attempt to unravel it. First, however, let us pens; there is always a cause. We would rested? Looking around, they were glad to branch. He returned to his place behind examine the parable again. chase after our precious belongings, re- confirm that there was not another human the bushes and waited. The merchants were foolish. They saw claim and retrieve what is rightfully ours, being in sight, just some cows grazing in The merchants awoke from their nap. the dung and the cows, and they came to and seal the breaches in our walls! the adjacent field. Without further ado, With great relief, they noted that the bag the absurd conclusion. Strange, but they In other words, it is not sufficient to they hung the money bag on one of the was still hanging suspended from the didn‘t even take the trouble to register just search our houses or even ourselves for stronger branches of their shady tree, and branch. They got up and lifted it off the how absurd their conclusion was. With chametz and to find that it is indeed there. peacefully fell asleep. branch and immediately realized that it just a little thought, they would have real- We must search the source of the chametz Where there are cows, a herdsman is was ten times lighter than before. They ized that their questions were, in actuality, itself, find out how it came to be there, usually not far away. And this particular also felt it. It was soft. Terrified, they hur- answers. No, cows do not climb trees; they and uproot it. one had been sitting there the entire time, ried and opened it. Lo and behold, it was do not untie bags which are suspended (Haggadah Imrei Kodesh; Admorei peering through the bushes at our two filled with cow dung! They turned around from branches; they do not need money. Belz) some as they made themselves comfort- and looked everywhere. There was still They would have concluded that some- ***

English Supplement - Pesach 5776 • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • 79 “For Not One Tyrant Only Has Risen Against Us...” D. Shachrai

strong rush of freezing wind howled, trees were * “B-b-but–you must understand,” the non-Jew begged, “I A thrashing around in the wind, and the high layers of rev Shabbos. Jews are hastily scampering through was only sent by someone...I am not to blame.” snow which piled up almost completely blocked the roads. Ethe city’s alleys, trying to finish their work as soon “So who sent you?” the amazed Jews asked. The villagers were chilled to the bone. People had no choice as possible so that they can properly prepare for the fast ap- “It was...Stephen, who owns the shop for household than to remain at home warming themselves near the heated proaching Shabbos Queen. utensils...He persuaded me to take care of this weird under- oven. The housewives had work over their heads. The invit- taking of cutting down a wire on top of a pole. He promised Who would dare risk his life and wander outside in such ing scent of the cooking and baking for the Shabbos meals me a lot of money for doing it...Please have pity on me. I was inclement weather? wafted through the town. The Jews’ shabby houses were ti- tempted by the large sum of money and my livelihood is so Rebbe Yechiel Mechel of Galicia served as the district died and cleaned for the honor of Shabbos. meager...” the porter pleaded. rav of several small villages scattered over a large area in The city’s activists were as busy as bees. They had to After a thorough interrogation that confirmed his -ver Galicia. He was not a person who would be afraid of even give Berel the poor shoemaker money for Shabbos needs. sion, the non-Jewish porter was freed. The porter expressed the roughest weather. Rebbe Yechiel Mechel had a sacred They had to find a way to pay for the medical expenses of the his sincere remorse and promised in all that is holy for him goal in life: reinforcing Torah study and mitzvah observance daughter of Moshe Chaim, the wagon driver, and take care not to repeat such a wicked act. in all the villages under his jurisdiction. The Rav would trav- of endless other sacred needs, and of course, among those After Rebbe Yechiel Mechel heard about what happened, el from one tiny village to another investigating the spiritual needs was the checking of the new eiruv. he assembled all the city’s activists and in a fiery derasha state of affairs of each Jewish community. If he found some- Their simcha didn’t last very long. They soon saw that in told them that he decrees that from now on it is forbidden to thing to correct or institute, he wouldn’t leave until he saw one of the city’s streets the eiruv’s wire was torn. buy any utensils from Stephen’s store. the improvement with his own two eyes. Since time was short and there was a lot of work to do, Nervously, Stephen again gazed at his calendar that hung In one kehillah, he founded an Ein Yaakov for they hurried up and fixed the torn eiruv so that it would be on the wall. Right before Pesach was the hottest season of baalei Batim; in another, he initiated the establishment of functional for this Shabbos. They had no time left over to the year for his household utensil store. At this time, Jews a tzedakah and chesed fund for the needy. In one city, he try and find out how the new wire could be torn so soon and would purchase new pots and pans for the Pesach yom tov. warned against the harm that controversy and dissension can consoled themselves by telling each other: “Things like this From after he would make an effort to open his bring about, and in a neighboring town, he acted to prevent can happen.” store earlier and to close it at a later hour than usual. This the west-European Haskoloh (the so-called was always a season when his profits would Enlightenment Movement) from inserting soar enormously and he didn’t want to miss its heinous claws. out on it. Rebbe Yechiel Mechel inflexibly -de Pesach season was already in full blast. voted himself to reaching his aim of bring- Jews are carefully cleaning their homes, but ing others closer to HaKodosh Boruch Hu. for some strange reason not even one Jew Neither merciless cold, sweltering, heat or had stepped into his store. lengthy, tiresome and dangerous trips could Initially he thought that nothing happened stop such a dedicated person from carrying and that the storm of buyers will soon start, out his sacred shelichus. but after three weeks of the four between Pu- What gave Rebbe Yechiel Mechel the rim and Pesach passed and, except for a few power to succeed in his holy endeavors? It non-Jewish customers, no Jew came to buy surely wasn’t the meager near-starvation in his store, he suspected something has hap- salary that he received. What spurred him pened. Stephen asked one of his friends to on was the spiritual betterment of other find out what all this means. Jews caused by his efforts. It didn’t take his friend long or much ef- It so happened that one day Rebbe fort to discover why no Jew is visiting Ste- Yechiel Mechel arrived at a certain town phen’s store. Everyone knew that the district after many hours of walking in stormy Rav, Rebbe Yechiel Mechel, forbade any Jew weather during which he almost collapsed. to buy in his store. After finally arriving and somewhat- re Stephen was livid with rage, fuming with freshing himself, as usual, he asked around anger. He was so worked up that he felt in to find out what needed to be strengthened another moment he would burst. in the Yiddishkeit of the local Jews. It didn’t take long for However, the same exact thing took place also the next “Those Jews,” he hissed between his teeth. “They will him to hear that the town lacks an eiruv around it, something week. The angered activists had no more doubts that some- pay dearly for having the audaciousness to start up with Ste- that caused many Jews to transgress the Shabbos when car- one is deliberately damaging their eiruv. phen. I will strip off the skin from the face of that brazen rying from their homes to the streets and in the streets them- “We won’t rest until we catch the scoundrel who is doing rabbi, but first of all he will have to compensate me above selves. Rebbe Yechiel Mechel didn’t waste time; he got right this and that he is properly punished,” they promised each and beyond for my financial loses.” to work and held a general meeting of the community. At the other. They were true to their word and set up a rotation of Without any further delay, Stephen rushed over to a meeting, the Rav aroused the townspeople to the urgent need strong and fearless people who would lay in wait around the non-Jewish lawyer who was himself a vicious anti-Semite of erecting an eiruv. He demanded that it be done immediate- route of the eiruv and be ready to catch the spiteful villain. and Stephen engaged him to sue that rotten “Jhid,” Rebbe ly without another Shabbos passing by so that no unknowing Their efforts weren’t in vain. One night after midnight Yechiel Mechel, the district rabbi, for a loss of thousands of Jew will, chas V’sholom, transgress the Shabbos. during a heavy downpour, a non-Jew holding a sharp in- rubles and ruining his hitherto prosperous business. The town activists who were waiting for such strong strument was seen walking stealthily toward the eiruv. He After the lawyer assured Stephen he would properly take backing thanked Rebbe Yechiel Mechel from the bottom of climbed on top of the pole that held the eiruv wire and deftly care of this matter that was also close to his own heart, Ste- their hearts. They collected donations from the townspeo- tore it. phen calmed down a bit and rubbed his hands together with ple that would be enough to set up and maintain the eiruv. The Jews ran swiftly out from their hiding places and glee. “The game the Jews are playing will not end peacefully. Before Shabbos came, the eiruv, boruch Hashem, already sprang upon the rascal who was shaking from fear. That good-for-nothing rabbi and the members of his commu- surrounded the town and was an accomplished fact. After “It...it isn’t I…..I mean that I am only a porter who labors nity will soon find out what happens if someone starts with inspecting the eiruv, Rebbe Yechiel Mechel felt his mission hard for a living...” Stephen....” Stephen roared with laughter when he pictured

was completed there, so he left the town to help other towns “Don’t talk nonsense,” those who captured him retorted, in his dreams what is going to be the Jews’ lot. in the vicinity. “We caught you red-handed. You can’t escape from us.” >>>>>

78 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • English Supplement - Pesach 5776 NO GEBROKTS ON PESACH “For Not One Tyrant Only t was a well known fact that the on Pesach were different and they wanted to

Italmidim of the holy Baal Shem Tov be as careful and as cautious as they were at Has Risen Against Us...” were very stringent in the rule of not eating home. gebrokts on Pesach. The reason for this is The Chasam Sofer said warmly. “You >>>>> because they feel there might be a possibility will be my guests for Yom Tov and I will not punished because he ruined his income at of there remaining in the matzah, a drop of take a “no” for an answer!” The two Yidden * the best season of the year for his store. flour that was not properly kneaded. Should were delighted and their faces glowed with The Jews of that town were bewildered That rabbi forbade Jews to buy from his this come in contact with water, it could chas joy. What an honor to partake of the seder by and troubled about the future. They hoped store and therefore caused him a tremen- ve’shalom become chametz. Many Gedolim the holy Chasam Sofer himself! for the best and prayed with all their might dous financial loss. did not agree with this. They claimed that the Two days later, the Chasam Sofer once that HaKodosh Boruch Hu save them from “Is this a valid claim? asked the judge entire flour, once well kneaded and baked, again noticed that the men looked somewhat any misfortune. while staring at Rebbe Yechiel Mechel. cannot become chametz even if it gets wet. perturbed. Somehow they were sure that From every corner in the town large “Yes, it certainly is,” Rebbe Yechiel The holy Chasam Sofer, Rav in Press- the Chasam Sofer abstained from gebrokts. groups of non-Jews looked at the Jews Mechel defiantly answered. burg, ate gebrokts as did his followers. This However, someone had brought it to their with noticeable contempt and hatred. They A shiver passed through the community was so, with the excep- attention that the Press- waited impatiently for the day that Rebbe representatives who feared that their be- tion of one year! That burger Rav did eat ge- Yechiel Mechel will be convicted and that loved Rav would be harshly punished. year he was makpid not brokts. Now what were will naturally give them the golden oppor- “And what do you have to say for your to eat or allow gebrokts they to do? tunity to conduct an all-out pogrom against defense?” asked the judge who was aston- to be prepared or served Seeing their worried the Jews and pillage their houses. ished by the Rav’s extreme self-confidence. in his home for the entire look, he once again said In an emergency meeting the Jewish “I will immediately explain to you the Yom Tov! to them. “I am greatly community activists decided that, in order reason why I forbade Jews to buy merchan- It so happened that looking forward to see- to prevent any catastrophe, they must hire dise from Stephen. At this period in the year, that before Pesach ing you tomorrow night a first-class lawyer who has experience year Jews buy new utensils for Pesach so two Yidden from Galicia at my seder and you will with such types of cases, to defend Rebbe that they can be sure that no chametz what- found themselves in the be my honored guests Yechiel Mechel in court. soever was ever used in them. The obvious city of Pressburg where for the Yom Tov as we After they related their decision to question is: How can we rely on a non- they had conducted busi- discussed, so why do Rebbe Yechiel Mechel, the activists were Jewish storekeeper who doesn’t observe ness. Due to some un- you look so gloomy?” astounded to hear a flat refusal: the Torah that no chametz was ever used foreseen circumstances, Reluctantly, they “But, please, Rabbeinu!” they activists in these utensils? The answer is that since it looked as though they admitted to the Chasam begged, “Our lives and that of our children the non-Jew derives no benefit or pleasure would have no option Sofer that someone had are dependent upon the successful out- from doing such a foolish thing, it is logi- other than to remain in informed them that he come of this trial.” cal that we have no reason to worry about Pressburg over Pesach and this pained them did eat gebrokts, which they had always “Don’t worry!” the Rav calmed them such a thing happening. However, this non- greatly. Not that they were worried about strictly avoided. down. ’Remem- Jew who is sit- accommodations. The hearts and doors of The Tzaddik smiled kindly at them and ber, the Hagga- ting opposite me Yidden are always open for guests. They said. “What did you think? Don’t you un- dah shel Pesach (Rebbe Yechiel were nervous about the fact that they had derstand that I gave strict instructions to my says, “For not Mechel pointed their inflexible and strict minhagim from household that this year no food is to be pre- only one [ty- to Stephen and which they could not and would not deviate. pared or served gebrokts, as soon as I knew rant] has risen raised his voice) They knew that in Pressburg it was accept- you would be my honored guests!” up against us....’ paid a large sum able to eat gebrokts on Pesach, something The two Chassidim from Galicia were Just as HaKo- of money to they had never done. What were they to do? rendered speechless and the greatness com- dosh Boruch hire a porter to A few days before Yom Tov the Chasam bined with utter humbleness of the Press- Hu has until damage our ei- Sofer noticed them in his Bais Hamidrash burger Rav. now always de- ruv around the and it was obvious to him that they looked They spent a wonderful Yom Tov in his livered us from city without any worried. He asked them, “tell me my good elevated presence, enjoying the spirituality their hands so personal gain or Yidden, why do you look so worried?’ as well as the food, none of which was ge- will He also save us this time.” physical pleasure in this matter. If so, dear They decided to be perfectly honest and brokts! Eveeryone tried not to have doubts judge, we have a definite basis to fear that they told him candidly that their minhagim *** about the correctness of Rebbe Yechiel perhaps he will sell us utensils that chametz Mechel’s conviction that he will not be was used in them as if they were new. How found guilty at the trial, but in their hearts can we rely on Stephen whose hatred for Chametz and Avodah Zara a smattering of fear nibbled away. Rebbe the Jews makes him act illogically? He is In the last minute of the Erev Pesach rush the Gabbai of the Vishnitzer Rebbe, mistak- Yechiel Mechel was, however, completely so full of hatred for us that all he wants in enly mixed the erev Pesach matzohs together with the ordinary shemurah matzohs which composed. the world is to cause us to sin, no matter had been prepared for Yom Tov. The was terribly upset since it was now impos- The day of the trial arrived. The court what. Surely my intentions in not allowing sible to differentiate between them. She Rebuked the gabbai him rather harshly for his was jam-packed. The city’s non-Jews came Jews to buy new utensils from him cannot be suspected as being unwarranted?” fin- carelessness. The Rebbe, hearing the commotion, summed up the situation right away. in masses to encourage their dear Stephen ished Rebbe Yechiel Mechel. “Let me tell you a story,” he said gently. “A pious Chossid had a special closet where whose victory in court would give them the okay to plunder and attack the Jews without The surprised judge was deeply im- he stocked all his Pesach goods. A hen, pecking on crumbs in the backyard, ran around mercy. pressed with the confident and fearless way loose and wandered into the house, straight into the Pesach closet, which was invitingly A small handful of distinguished mem- Rebbe Yechiel Mechel spoke and with the open. bers of the Jewish community found seats solid logic behind his words and he acquit- When the hen was discovered, pandemonium and anger broke loose. Everyone had in a corner of the court room. All other ted the Rav from all charges. harsh words to say one to another for not being more careful. Jews shuttered themselves in their houses Stephen who was totally abashed fled When the Chossid heard the commotion he asked. “What exactly is and were praying to their Father in Heaven for his life before those who wanted to steal going on here?” to help them. from the Jews would catch up with him and When he was told, he said. “Chazal teach us that a man who When the judge entered the courtroom beat him up. succumbs to anger, is equivalent to him serving Avodah silence was declared. It is an understate- “Plan a conspiracy and it shall be an- Zara. This is what is happening chas v'sholom here in ment to say that this judge didn’t excel in nulled, speak your piece and it shall not stand for Hashem is with us!” (Yeshaya my own house and you are telling me a nonsensical his love for Jews. 8:10). story about a chometz’dige hen…?” The prosecutor began to present his case. Stephen demanded that the rabbi be ***

English Supplement - Pesach 5776 • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • 77 76 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • English Supplement - Pesach 5776 English Supplement - Pesach 5776 • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • 75 74 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • English Supplement - Pesach 5776 Wearing the white Wishing all a kittel the entire year Chag Kasher V'sameach to ensure your entire family is beseder

English Supplement - Pesach 5776 • HAMACHNE HACHAREIDI / APRIL 21, ‘16 • גליון גליון 1734 - המחנה החרדי תשע"ו • 73