The Rebbe on Passover

The Haggadah speaks of the “Four Sons” at the Seder table, demonstrating that every Jewish child needs to be given the full experience of Passover; if need be, search him out, find him, and invite him together with his family to your Seder table, to celebrate the freedom of our People.

The Haggadah lists four sons at the Passover Seder table. The child ‘who doesn’t know to ask’ is listed last amongst the four sons, following not only the ‘wise son’, but also the ‘wicked’ one. This offers insight and an important lesson in our calling to action in these times.

The Passover Seder begins with the child’s question: “Why is this night different from all other nights?” Fundamentally, the question bothering the child is: “Why am I different from children of all other nations?”

The Haggadah relates that “Torah speaks to four sons”. Although they are all different they are placed one beside the other to emphasize the innate value of each.

All important things need preparation, and education is certainly no exception. We need not wait to respond to our children; by being proactive, we can be sure that they’re properly engaged. This is especially true by the Passover Seder. Much of the ritual that surrounds the Passover Seder involves the participation of our children. By properly preparing, all our children, no matter their personalities, can feel welcome and involved.

The Torah does not tell us the exact times when many important events occurred. Nevertheless, we are told that Pharoah commanded the Jews to leave Egypt exactly at midnight on the 15th of Nissan. Further, the Torah narrates the exact moment they actually left: The next day, precisely at noon – not delaying even for the “blink of an eye”.

Although Passover is called the Season of Our Freedom, when the Jewish people were redeemed from Egypt there was no mention of the matter. Instead, they were told by Moses that they are leaving Egypt to serve G-d.

We begin the Seder by announcing, “Whoever is hungry come and eat; whoever needs come celebrate Passover.” It is admirable to give money to someone who hungers, but even greater to provide prepared food so he need not exert any effort before quieting his hunger. Although we give money to the needy so they may acquire their Passover needs, we go further to invite them to our prepared Seder meal; all they must do is come in and they will immediately be able to eat!

Every Jew descends from those Jews who were enslaved in Egypt. When G-d freed them, He freed all Jews of all future generations, including each and every one of us.

Education comes in many forms: First and foremost is to provide a living example. The best way to influence someone is by practicing what you preach. As we approach Passover, the call of the hour is to seek out those who cannot afford the holiday expenses and provide all that they need.

Two essential lessons from the Exodus for every Jew: Pharaoh, the mightiest king in the world, ruthlessly oppressed the Jewish People. Yet his behavior completely reversed, and, instead of afflicting the Jews, “Pharaoh sent the people away...

Passover is ‘The Festival of Our Freedom.’ The Festival itself calls out: “Listen, Jews – we must be free!” The verse states: “There shall be one law for the Passover sacrifice – for you, the convert and the native-born.” Allegorically speaking, ‘native-born’ refers to the ‘true citizen’ of a country – one who thinks that his country is the greatest. A Jew must recognize, however, that he is “Jerusalem-born” – no matter where in the world he is.

May your entire family have good preparations for a wonderful Passover. All the children who are old enough should prepare the four questions for the Seder.

The Rebbe distributes Matzah before Passover, at his home on President Street.

Our Seder eve wish, “Next year in Jerusalem,” doesn’t mean that we wish to wait a year before Moshiach comes. Rather, we anticipate the Redemption today, and then certainly by “next year” we will be “in Jerusalem!”

In his home, the Rebbe sells the chametz before Passover.

On the eve of Passover, the Rebbe burns the Chametz and recites Kol Chamira.