Charoses

According to the Gemora, Charoses is a "mitzvah". Now what kind of a Mitzvah is this?
The reason given for this obligation is to dip the Marror into the charoses that looks like the mud used as mortar for bricks. The symbolism of this act is that we were embittered by the work with the mud-bricks. If that is the case then why is it such a Mitzvah? It's only a reminder amongst several.
There are those in the Gemora that say the charoses had to be sour in order to either negate the bitternes of the Marror Alternatively the sour wine taste killed the insect larva that resided in the Marror .
According to this opinion it's not used as a reminder but as a neutralizer. The first reason makes the Charoses as a part of the commemorative effect of the Marror.In other words the first opinion makes the Charoses as part of and strengthening the Marror . The second opinion says it weakens it! So who is right ?And why is it a mitzvah?
as mentioned before,the marror is primarily the romaine lettuce. the reason it is called marror or bitters is because it was used as the bitter medicine of the ancient world! as such the romaine lettuce represents the idea that all that is bitteris really for a Tikkun or correction . the bitternessis only temporary. for even death is not permanent as we believe in the eternity of the soul.
however, the taste of the medicine is bitter indicating that corrective measures are unpleasant even if they are necessary. this is why the charoses is supportive of the Marror even while negating its' effect. the mud for the bricks and mortar represented a humiliating and painful part of our history. However, during that tragic period , the women of Israel remained faithful to their men. in fact this fidelity is confirmed 3 times in the Torah at various junctures. Usually in periods of suffering women are not only prey to the tyrants, they seek out their favor. In Egypt
the women shunned their tormentors. Only one women violated her chastity and she did so by coercion .
the charoses is made up of fruits that remind one of Israel especially the apple. For it was in the apple orchards that the women were able to cohabit with their mates even while they came ostensibly only to feed them their one meal a day . this fidelity at the apple orchard is commemorated by making the charoses with apples and other such fruits that were their in the
fields where they had to pick their straw and make their fill of bricks. this is why the charoses is mostly sweet because although the Egyptians intended that the long hours of work would prevent having Hebrew Children, the women did otherwise. instead of bitters it turned out
sweet! Firstly because the women remained faithful and secondly G-d blessed their efforts with children.
thus the Charoses negated the bitterness of the bondage even while the work itself was bitter,
albeit for a good purpose. Thus the Charoses is a Mitzvah because it strengthens our faith in Divine Providence.We learn that disappointment and pain are really for our best interest. Even more so , by not giving in to evil we are blessed with children who will not only fight evil,they will live to destroy it!

the work was bitter but brought out the goodness of our souls . thus in the end the charoses =bricks were really sweet and negated the bitterness of Pharaoh!

wine 2k and beyond

4CUPS OF WHAT?

The 4 cups are said to be expressions of G-d redeeming us . For every way that G-d

promised to deliver us we drink to that with a full cup of wine. These are called the 4 expressions of geulah!

The question we all pose is “WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL “?

So what if these 4 ways G-d expressed the redemptive process. What difference does it make for us ?

Among the answers are that the 4 expressions indicate that G-d was predicting 4 more exiles and that there would be 4 more redemptions! For each of these we drink a cup of wine. In truth however ,we should drink 5 cups of wine as we also survived Egypt. That’s the reason we also have the fifth cup of Elijah on the table because in essence , we should really have 5 cups. Only since the redemption from the last exile hasn’t been fulfilled we must wait for Elijah to herald in the coming of Moshiach.

There are other symbolisms of the wine cup. Just as there is a cup of blessing so to is there a cup of wrath

to be poured out for the wicked .Thus there is a cup of life and blessing for those participating in the seder , there is another cup for those who want to harm us. In the future , the enemies of Israel will drink 4 cups of anger.

There are 4 letters to the Holy Name of G-d , 4 holy Worlds and 4 forms of physical existence. On each level we drink a cup of blessing!

On a mystical note , the word for wine is yayin which is a 3 letter word with a numeral equivalent of 70.

The same number are in the word sod or secret . This is also the association of wine with spilling secrets . As the Rabbis say ,when yayin enters it expels secrets! Ordinarily this means get someone drunk and secrets will be told. However it could also imply that wine is the medium for the revelation of G-d’s secrets. Thus, as we enjoy the seder, we should be open to receiving mystical insights.

Interesting that the word cup has a numerical equivalent of 86 . Together with wine’s 70 that makes 156 for a cup of wine .

This is equal to the number for Yosef=Joseph who was a master at unraveling secret information. It also is the number for Zion which is the essence of our souls. They both equal 156.

On another note the number 156 equals the number of windings on the 4 tzitzit in our Tallis . This number

Is 4 times 39 which represents the comprehensive expression of G-d’s mercy ! G-d’s mercy is invoked whenever we seek salvation or revelation . Thus the seder cups are chanells for receiving new wisdom.

This tells us that what we have learned until now isn’t enough . We need to broaden our horizons and the most enjoyable way to do so is with a glass of wine!

Maggid2

Maggid continued

The history of the Jewish people is said to be a sad one. Yet when one looks at the impact we have had upon humanity one has to conclude that no matter the pain, the fact that we have impacted the world so profoundly speaks of an otherworldly destiny.

There are many kinds of art . One kind, I believe it’ called impressionism is the ability to make colors and shapes that are hard to

Figure out until you step back and see how the patterns create an image that can only be seen when viewed in total.

So too , with Jewish History, when we look at bits and pieces we see blurred events that are sometimes horrific. However, when viewed in total one sees the emergence of a unique and self critical people who are brutally honest about everything.

There are many individual items with regards to Jewish History that indicate a Divine Plan for facing the evils of the world .One by one,

They appear, only to fade from human history , a worn-out footnote in the collective memory of man.

Amongst the bright items in our annals is the life of the Lubavitcher Rebbe ,Z.T.L.. The Rebbe not only strengthened the study of Torah and the belief in the Creator who gave it, HE REDEFINED THE PROCESSES altogether!

Until the Rebbe came along many thought that the oral law’s language was non-specific and unimportant. The only thing that mattered were the concepts behind the Laws. Items such as Aggadic teachings as well

As the commentaries were extremely precise for their meaning and content. Furthermore. The Rebbe showed that all the great commentaries actually reinforced one another. Furthermore, the original commentaries without knowing it , were able to find the needle in the haystack with respect to understanding the past without the aid of archaeological digs.

The Rebbe also showed us that the Torah portion is relevant to what happens at any point in the week or year. Furthermore the Rebbe showed us how we see divine Providence at every juncture.

We speak about the Exodus at the Seder. However how many of us are bold enough to speak about Messiah’s coming at the Seder?

The Rebbe taught us to keep the conversation about Moshiach

Relevant and timely. This, all the while we fulfill our role as Jews who follow the Torah and no other ideology.

The Rebbe’s 105^th birthday is this Friday. In his memory let us say a lechayim and make the Torah and Messiah current matters of discussion.

By the way there is an old question I wish to address:

In the beginning of the Haggadah we say “whoever is hungry come and eat , whoever needs should come and partake of the Pesach meal”. Now this is said behind closed doors. Why don’t we announce it the week before in the paper ?

One of the great commentaries on the liturgy is the famed Yavetz whose Siddur is still venerated and studied today. In one of his comments on the Seder, he writes that in Persia at the time of the Haggadah’s redaction, the custom was that poor people would just show up at any feast. It was the obligation of the host to feed them all as if they were his guests. Amongst them were Jews and Gentile poor.

Given the social norm the host invited all to be seated including the uninvited poor.

He would say , that while all who are hungry are welcome to eat with the rest of us, however, if amongst you are Jews, they must have in mind to fulfill the Pesach obligations!

I talked about this at a class and a Persian Jew told me that even today such is the custom in his hometown in Iran=Persia!

Maggid1

Maggid

The beginning of the Seder is graced with the children asking the 4 questions. This a time hallowed custom. You might ask “why is this necessary to do year in year out?”

The Torah tells us that we are commanded to relate the story of the Exodus primarily as an exchange between father and son. Each child asks his own question with his unique perspective. For each child we have to measure an appropriate response. There are no cookie cutter answers. Furthermore there are times when we don’t know the answer. In those instances we are supposed to say we don’t know but there is an answer.

Each child is encouraged to field questions. The type of questions asked will allow us to monitor the child’s progress or lack of such.

If the questions keep coming as “why must we always do the same boring thing?” or the like , it is likely that this child’s spiritual teaching is lacking. We must engage our children in give and take. For the conversation about the Exodus is for a lifetime!

So encourage the questions and don’t be afraid to say that’s a great question-let’s you and I do some research!

Marror

Marror

The concept of Marror is elusive. Why must we eat bitter herbs on the night of Pesach? After all there are many ways to feel yechy without the herbs. Furthermore , the bitter herb dejure is romaine lettuce. I don’t know about your taste but it doesn’t taste bitter to me!

So why call it Marror and the horseradish is called tamcha or chrain? If it’s supposed to have a real bitter taste then go with the horseradish or some other really vile food?

Commentaries will tell you that the lettuce, if left on the stalk, starts out, sweet but winds up bitter. So too, the Egyptians tried to appeal to our loyalties by accusing us of not possessing any patriotism for the country and its’ public works. A big deal was made over volunteerism in which all the populace were invited in participating in the public works.

Pharaoh came the first day of volunteering with his own tools and worked alongside the commoners. “Great“!, we thought we will work with the king to make for a new frontier in the destiny of greater Egypt! Little did we know that it was a ruse to take us out of our safe places and have us concentrated, where threats and intimidation made us acquiesce to involuntary servitude.

So Pharaoh started out sweetly, like the romaine lettuce, winding up as a bitter root. Therefore, the romaine is eaten to teach us this important lesson. As the Proverb says,”the lips of the harlot drool with sweetness but her purpose is as bitter as wormwood”!

“Very nice”, you say ,however the romaine isn’t bitter! So why the stress on having the romaine? Let’s just hold our noses and swallow the horseradish (btw jarred horseradish is not acceptable for use at the Seder as it has vinegar in it and isn’t the raw herb)!

One might say that oftentimes people refer to salad as animal food. In fact, the lettuce is an ideal food for all kinds of critters! So why am I eating this - am I just another critter ? If I looked in the mirror while I was eating I might wonder as to the difference between myself and the fauna that surrounds us. That realization should makes us pause and become embittered!

In looking for a hint in the word chazeres - you see the word

Chozer-returning, within it. This has two connotations.

1)that our bodies return to the earth due to our collective sins that haven’t been corrected.

2)that we must return again and again until we correct our souls and the world in which we live.

Thus, the chazeres is the expression of the toil of man that is perpetual. Indeed the very notion that we are frail and incomplete is enough to embitter us with the status quo.

This is why the Marror has to be eaten with the Paschal Lamb and Matzo. These represent the hope and belief in a bright future no matter the present situation.

Perhaps this why the great sage Rabbi Yehuda the Prince ,

Redactor of the Mishneh always had chazeres on his table ,

Even in winter. One might ask that if you already have a hothouse why settle for lettuce?

The answer might be to remind the great Rabbi that indulgence ,while pleasant ,leaves the person with the need to return again and again to this world. That is, until we get it right and correct that which needs correcting, in ourselves and in the world.

When Rabbi Yehuda died he lifted up his fingers and said that he had never had any selfish benefit from this world during his entire life. That means that everything he did was for a higher purpose!

Another element in the chazeres = Marror matter, is that it can be grown throughout the year and in a mild climate can be harvested up to 4 times. It can be available all year long.

Originally, the lettuce juice was used as a mild opiate that would induce sleep. It also helped stimulate one’s appetite.

Both of these elements are physically pleasant but could be spiritually destructive. Furthermore ,the milky juice of the romaine is bitter and the bitterness is found at the stalks as well as the tops of the leaves.

This juice was used as a medicine in the ancient world. Medicines are known to be bitter . Since the lettuce was the source of the bitter medicine ,it too was called bitter-marror!

As such, the term has now come full circle. The bitterness in the marror- medicine healed you . Similarly the bitterness and disappointments of life are actually a healing for us. Thus the bitterness, the constant return to another life are really good!

It only doesn’t taste that way!

So here we have 4 ideas about the “bitter” Romaine Lettuce:

1)the things that start out sweet must be suspect. Perhaps they will turn bitter in the end as Pharaoh did.

2)by focusing on the food we eat we are no better than the animal.

3)the marror is also called chazeres which hints at the return to dust as well as the soul’s reincarnation to correct this life’s wrongs.

4)the ancients used the juice of the lettuce as medicine. It had many therapeutic attributes. Hence, it was called marror-for medicine is always bitter.

As such, the lettuce was also called marror for being the source of the bitters.

Here we see that the bitterness was seen as healthful and curative. Therefore the bitterness of life brings the ecstasy of redemption , just as it did in the time before the Exodus!

We can now understand the reason for the division of marror into 2 piles.

At first the pains of life are bitter ,however they bring forth the chazeres , the renewal of life. Ultimately it brings ther renewal of the Divine Presence in Jerusalem through Meshach ! May he come NOW!

matzo3

Three rivers of matzos

Matzo is what we are commanded to eat on Pesach. What for? Why must I eat an overpriced cracker and only on this night?

Many commentaries will argue that the ways of Hashem are beyond us and the only way to reach Olom Habo is through the punctilious performance of the Mitzvos no matter if I understand them or not!

NONETHELESS, since we have to use all of our faculties with regard to Torah study we can find a rationale. The first redemption is the precursor for all future redemptions. As such, when we eat matzo in commemoration of the events as they took place 3319 years ago, we not only are reliving the event we are recreating the event once more. In fact G-d considers it as if we were doing the things necessary for us to go free. This serves as a catalyst to herald in our own and the final redemption! So by remembering we cause it to happen again.

A second approach ,is that every mitzvah must bring about a correction in one’s crass nature. When someone has been given a gift, the least one can do is to show and articulate thanks. In order for us to show appreciation for having been set free we must “see” through the eyes of a slave ,endure his pain and exult in the liberation. Therefore , by demonstrating the conditions of those times we develop the feelings of thanks, exultation and happiness that came as a result of the Exodus from Egypt. Thus we not only observe the Mitzvos of Pesach, we relive those times and miracles. We feel the pain and humiliation of bondage , as well as the exultation of redemption. ………………………………............................,,,,

2

By reliving those times we not only are truly grateful, we make ourselves the kind of people worthy of another Exodus! Thus redemption is inherent in believing in and being the kind of person worthy of, G-d’s intervention.

The third approach is that the Mitzvos inherently contain the elements of the redemption. That means that the Mitzvos are conduits between man and G-d. Not only do the Mitzvos recreate the Exodus and inculcate us with absorbing a lesson . They connect us with G-d and as such create the revelation that by its’ nature is redemptive. That means, that the Matzo channels the Divine Presence that was there at the time of the Exodus. When we received this vision we could not be anyone else’s slave other than G-d’s!

Freedom isn’t just a physical condition, it is a state of being . When you think and act free you become free. The Matzo brings us this awareness.

So there you have it.

1) the commandments such as the eating of Matzoh recreates the Exodus once again and makes us worthy of another greater Exodus.

2) the commandments make us the kind of people who are worthy by helping us to be aware of the reality of those times. We are thankful and prepared to meet the challenges and reach the teshuvah necessary for the higher reality of redemption.

3)the Mitzvos are of themselves the channels of redemption. By doing the Mitzvos of Pesach we are connected to the same revelations of the first exodus and even higher! The Mitzvos are the tool of revelation which creates the reality of a people who are free. They aren’t just a catalyst for a return of those times. They also aren’t just the vehicle for teaching us proper attitudes.

Rather, the mitzvahs are channels of G-d’s Presence, that which will create the reality of a free and chosen people!

matzo2

Matzoh - The Bread of Faith and Healing

As mentioned before all of creation is created via G-d’s Holy Name. Each entity has a Divine Name vivifying it. This is why there is the need to eat, not to satisfy evolution but in order to elevate our world.

Man is the only creature that has free will. As such ,only man can designate a higher purpose in utilizing

The world’s resources.

Man can utilize Uranium for medicine or bombs of terrible destruction. The same way when we eat for a higher purpose we infuse the physical with the awareness that it is connected to the creator for a noble purpose. In doing so we are able to tap in to the Divine Name that resides in that physical item . This Name

allows us to rise higher than we would have under our own powers. In other words, we become elevated by

Eating for a noble goal.

Matzo is subject to becoming bloated upon fermentation. This bloating called Chimutz or souring ,is seen by the Prophets and the Sages as reflecting our arrogance and self interest . While some pride is necessary ,

for without self interest one cannot build or succeed , sometimes we have to put our own interest aside in order to attain spiritual development. An arrogant person cannot hear the plea of the poor and impoverished. The self-indulgent person only seeks what is good for numero uno. Such natures block out the awareness of G-d and don’t allow for introspection.

At the time of the Exodus we had little, if any, faith. Miracles alone do not bring faith to the individual.

It was only our contact with the Divine Presence that took place on the first night of Passover that allowed us this faith and trust in G-d. We were commanded to eat Matzoh in order to allow this presence to be

Absorbed.

When something that could become soured and doesn’t, it reflects the restraint and discipline necessary in attaining humility. Thus Matzoh is the carrier of the Divine name that causes one to be humble. What is the ingredient that causes this? The awareness of our Father in Heaven! Matzoh is the conduit for G-d consciousness. This occurs only on Pesach. That is why we have to eat matzoh on Pesach, not any other time.

matzo1

Matzoh-in 2k plus?!7

The seder might be the only last remaining connection for most of our brethren and the tradition of their parents. We buy matzo out of habit or for some mystical reason that eludes our awareness.

What is so special about the matzo that makes or breaks the seder?

Matzo is called bread of faith and bread of healing by the Zohar the handbook of Jewish mystical writings.

The Rabbis refer to the matzo as bread of poverty in the Hagaddah and in the Talmud. Why is matzo so

Essential and fulfill so many roles?

Let us examine the basis of this Commandment and let us do so together. Why do you think matzo is so important ? Why are you willing to pay the large asking price for what amounts to an unflavored cracker?

The answer you give is that’s the way it’s been as long as you remember .that’s not much of an answer to most cynics. There must be a reason that this touches your heartstrings.

According to the Zohar abovementioned, the matzoh has a direct effect upon your faith . Actually the eating of Matzoh brings faith to the Jew eating it on the night of Passover .

I could impress you with other analyses of the Mitzvah of eating Matzoh- would rather stick to the point if you will bear with me and not fall asleep as you usualy do with a boring sermon.

The alter Rebbe - the first of the Chabad Rebbes explains it thusly; just as a child begins to say dada and mama when he or she starts eating grains ,so too the Jewish child learns to recognize our Father in heaven -

Avinu BaShomayim , by eating the Matzo.

Eating is such a mundane act, so why did G-d choose to force us to eat ? Why couldn’t we just go on

Like a well oiled machine without having to kill chickens or cows for our fod and pleasure?

Mystically the human being is on a low spiritual level. However, the food comes from a higher world than we do. So when we eat our salads and diet shakes we are actually getting energies from a higher world .

These energies then allow us to grow emotionally and expand our intellect.

Just as the food gives us the power to have greater insight in mundane matters, the Matzoh allows us insight in spiritual matters . This is because Matzoh isn’t allowed to leaven.what is so special about leaven

you ask?

Leaven or chometz , is likened to the evil instincts of man. Our animal tendencies expand our self-importance like a blown-up dough while trivializing the other person. This is the core of evil . When I am filled with my self-worth who are you to get in my way ? This is the root of all strife selfishness and evil.

Matzoh on the other hand is flat-the dough hasn’t been allowed time to rise. Thus its’ flatness indicates a humility that allows us to be sensitive to G-d’s presence that is revealed on the night of the Seder. By eating Matzoh we not only gain insight , we receive spiritual awareness. We become G-d conscious.

This is because every first (and second) night of Passover, the episode of our Exodus repeats itself albeit on a higher spiritual level than 3319 years ago in the first ever night of Passover! The Matzoh serves as the conduit to allow us this revelation.

In fact the Matzo that we eat on the first night has even greater effect upon our souls than the Matzo of the Exodus. I will leave that concept for another occasion. In the mystical teachings there is a Divine presence that envelopes us on Passover . This is what happened at the time of the Exodus. This revelation was palpable to those who were prepared as well as to the firstborn . In fact all the firstborn whether Israelite or Egyptian felt this revelation more intensely than all others .

The Israelite firstborn felt the Divine and felt at home, because he was part of the Seder service . In fact he was fulfilling G-d’s will at that time and G-d felt at home with him. The Egyptian first born sensed G-d’s presence and neither he nor G-d felt at home there . The result was the souls of the first born Egyptians were drawn to G-d as iron to a magnet and both left the idolatrous environs . Of course , the results were catastrophic for all the Egyptian parents. The first born of Egypt felt they had come home.

In the future the Moshiach will reveal G-d’s presence visually first to us and then to all of the nations .

Those who feel at home with G-d will enjoy an eternal delight. Those opposed will share the fate of the first born of Egypt . Their souls will cling to G-d but only their souls.

In short the Matzoh is our channel to come close to the Divine . Soon all the world will share in this process. In the meantime we prepare ourselves and the world for the ultimate revelation!

Enjoy your Seder!

Chaim Moshe