Rabbi Reuven Taragin Rabbanit Shani Taragin THE “FIVE-STAR” SEDER IN BNEI BRAK ven if we were all wise… despairing eras in Jewish history as of Am Yisrael. He would live and die all Sages and well learned Jewish leaders were being tortured to with the words Shema Yisrael Hashem in the Torah, it would still death and a harsh Roman exile was yet Elokenu Hashem Echad on his lips “Ebe our duty to tell the story of the to follow. – constantly engaged in Kabbalat departure from Egypt. And the more Ol Malchut Shamayim (accepting How could Pesach – the holiday of one elaborates upon the story of the the yoke of Heaven) however dire his freedom and redemption – be cele- departure from Egypt, the more one is circumstances. brated that year in the midst of terror to be praised.” and persecution? Who could inspire Under quarantine and danger, Rabbi Immediately after teaching the above the leaders to retain their faith and Akiva teaches us messages of redemp- imperative, the Ba’alei haHaggadah optimism? All agreed that Rabbi tion every Seder; the secret is not only recount the narrative of the Five “Star” Akiva, who could laugh upon hear- to retain optimism and recount the Sages in Bnei Brak, who fulfilled the ing the rejoicing of Roman officers redemption of the past as a prelude above: “Rabbi Eliezer, Rabbi Elazar and seeing foxes/jackals (or Roman to the future, but simultaneously to ben Azaryah, Rabbi Yehoshua, Rabbi officers) emerging from the Kodesh strengthen oneself in religious com- Akiva, and Rabbi Tarfon were telling Kodashim, confident in the fulfillment mitment. It is no surprise that Rabbi of the departure from Egypt all night of the prophecies of consolation,4 Akiva’s own students had to come to until their disciples came and said to could offer them the inspiration they announce – “Our masters, the time them: Our masters, the time for the needed! for the recitation of the morning recitation of the morning Shema has Shema has arrived.” The Rabbis were arrived.” Rabbi Akiva debated with Rabbi well aware of the ideal time to recite Tarfon regarding the proper conclu- Kriyat Shema; in fact they had been This was an odd phenomenon – sion to Maggid: “Rabbi Tarfon said, engaged in reciting Rabbi Akiva’s firstly, at least three of the four Sages ‘Blessed art Thou, O G-d… Who has Kriyat Shema all night as they rekin- mentioned – Rabbi Eliezer (from redeemed us and has redeemed our dled their faith in redemption, in mar- Lod), Rabbi Yehoshua (from Peki’in) forebears [past tense] from Egypt’ – tyrdom and in acceptance of Ol Mal- and Rabbi Tarfon were Rabbi Akiva’s and did not seal [the blessing]. Rabbi chut Shamayim. masters and teachers! Why were they Akiva continued and concluded Rabbi The students had yet to partake in spending Seder Night with their stu- Tarfon’s blessing: ‘...So shall our G-d such a Seder; otherwise they would dent (from Bnei Brak)? After all, stu- and the G-d of our forebears bring to have known that the dawn herald- dents generally visit their teachers on us other festivals and celebrations for festivals. ing the redemption had already risen peace, rejoicing in the rebuilding of hours earlier, as the Pesach story was Secondly, Rabbi Eliezer in particular Your city and reveling in Your service; 1 retold throughout the night in Bnei taught that one is required to cele- and we shall eat therefrom the paschal Brak. brate yom tov in one’s home, based on lamb and the sacrifices… Blessed art the pasuk, “You shall rejoice, you and Thou, Who has redeemed Israel.’”5 your household,”2 which he contra- 1 Sukkah 27b. Rabbi Akiva’s beracha of thanksgiv- dicts through spending Pesach night 2 Devarim 14:26. ing for past and future redemptions in Rabbi Akiva’s home. 3 Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein, 1829-1908 would be recited that year (even in in his commentary on the Haggadah, “Leil The Aruch HaShulchan3 suggests that the presence of Rabbi Tarfon) as he Shimurim.” the Seder in Bnei Brak took place after hosted this monumental Seder as one 4 Makkot 24b. the destruction of the Second Beit of the five-“star” leaders of his gener- 5 Pesachim 116b. HaMikdash, most probably during the ation. For though he may have been Rabbanit Shani Taragin is Educational harsh Hadrianic persecutions follow- the student, that year and onward, he Director of Mizrachi and the Director of the ing the failed Bar Kochba rebellion. would teach and inspire generations to Mizrachi Matan Lapidot Educators’ Program This was one of the most tragic and maintain faith in G-d and the destiny [email protected] | 7 • 7.