Pastoral Passover Perspectives

Letters that the Rebbe penned regarding the foundational themes of this incredible holiday!

Fortified with Faith!

The Haggadah in Depth Part 25

Meanings of Matzah

Part 4

Having appropriately clarified the messages contained in the proverbial Paschal offering, we now move on to the second of Passover’s primary principles: Matzah. After a brief telling introduction (including details of actual customs), we are lead into a deeply insightful seminal and even counterintuitive understanding of this holidays unique unleavened wafers. A wide range of sources are kneaded together to incorporate multiple layers of mutually complementary meanings, all miraculously rolled into one in the Matzah’s thin crust!

Pastoral Passover Perspectives

Letters that the Rebbe penned regarding the foundational

themes of this incredible holiday!

"On the Meaning of Freedom!"

What exactly is the meaning of the liberty we celebrate on Pesach and how should this Yomtov enrich, enhance and elevate our daily existence?!

Talmud Tisch - Intermediate Talmud

Masechet Pesachim - The Talmud on the Pesach Seder

Lesson 10

"Haggadah Basics"

Opening statement: three words enable fulfillment at the Passover Seder. But what does this mean? Are these “magic” words, or do they represent the ideals in which we frame this “magical” nights narrative? Does the absence of this syntax rob us of fulfilment altogether, or is this indicative of best practices instead of necessity? Finally, which fulfilment of which obligation do we specifically speak of in this Mishna? The discussion leads us to a profound appreciation of how we are supposed to perform our annual Haggadah-telling of the Exodus at the Seder.

Custom and Convention!

- !

Of the six Seder Plate items, the proverbial Passover dip of pulverized fruit, nuts, seasoning and wine is perhaps least understood. In tracing the earliest documented sources we encounter a range of opinions and rationale, initially creating confusion; but in the end, through careful analysis provides stunning clarity. You'll discover both the unique and supporting role this unusual dip plays in communicating the Exodus narrative by virtue of its appearance, consistency and tart acrid flavoring, and develop a taste for this secondary item on the Seder menu.

The Haggadah in Depth Part 24

Passover Essentials - The Paschal Offering (Part 3)

Having established a solid understanding of Passover’s primary principles, we begin to analyze the first of the three, the Paschal Offering. Our initial point of departure demonstrates that we refer here not to actual consumption of roasted lamb, but rather to a broad overarching theme. Appropriately we embark on a discovery what this unique offering means. By carefully analyzing the specific verses in which Scripture unambiguously articulates the message, we are led towards a profound new understanding of the Korban Pesach and ultimately the holiday itself.

The Haggadah in Depth Part 23

"Passover Essentials" Part 2

To fully appreciate R’ Gamliel’s Passover principles, his teachings must be seen as focal points of the Seder narrative – and by extension the fulfilment of Torah Judaism itself. Ultimately, the three types of foods may also be viewed as a sort of recommended scale of spiritual nutrition. The question of which historical Rabban Gamliel this might be is carefully considered. Next, we pass over to the subject of the Paschal Offering itself; the origin of its actual name serves to illuminate its true essence and the sustaining message we are expected to digest.

The Haggadah in Depth Part 21 (Dayeinu Part 4)

"Dayeinu: Would It Really Have Been Enough?"

This fourth and final class on Dayainu, elucidates the concluding stanzas of enumerated kindness; designed to inspire reciprocal love and loyalty towards Hashem. But would it really have sufficed if G-d had merely brought us to Mount Sinai, and not given us the Torah?! Numerous explanations are explored and we peel away the layers to reveal the fuller picture of Divine goodness. We also address the curious notion of including events centuries beyond our leaving Egypt as part of the official Passover Seder exodus narrative in a profoundly insightful fashion. When it’s all said and done, you’ll certainly sing this Haggadah hymn with fresh fervor and passion!

The Haggadah in Depth Part 22

"Rabbi Gamliel’s 3 Holiday Essentials!"

The framework to effectively convey our ancestors’ Egyptian exile narrative has already been mapped out. Now, our Seder Handbook introduces us to a critical component of the parental duty to recount our saga of national liberation; verbalizing the motifs behind Passover’s iconic items. This foundational class introduces and explores the origins, scope, rationale and purposes of this mandated articulation about these proverbial Pesach holiday essentials.

Ma’amer Chassidus: Acharon Shel Pesach

~Vehecherim~ 5749 - 1989

"Change Your World" Global transformations within reach; learn the

Rebbe’s actualization strategy!