Getting the Most out of Pesach

Getting the Most out of Pesach
By Mordechai Dolinsky

Everything that we do the whole year is affected by the level of our Emunah, the belief in HaShem as the Creator and the Supreme source of the world’s continued existence.  Every single object, all energy, and systematic sense of order are present only by His will.  Every test, ordeal, and trial, be it something we are responsible to HaShem for, or to our fellow man, in order to be properly motivated we must draw from our reservoir of Emunah.  The main source of this spiritual nourishment of Emunah is the Yom Tov of Pesach.  The main time for this is the seder night, during the seder, with the fulfillment of the Mitzvos and the rest of the night.  It is extremely essential to bear this in mind.  The central focus of the seder is to acquire the Emunah for oneself, to inspire one’s children, family, and guests.  I would suggest to concentrate during the seder on these essentials, and not to cloud it with complicated commentaries.  Be sure to begin the seder on time, and it should be done with “zerizus”, lively and interesting.  After the seder, the rest of the night is the time to delve in greater depth into Yetzias Mitzraim.

The Brisker Rav ztz”l, with his keen sense for the truth, points out that the public at large has made a priority error.  Shavuos night it is only a custom to keep awake, primarily based on Kabbalah sources, and yet it is so popularly observed, very often at the expense of the simcha of the Yom Tov.  To the contrast of the seder night, staying up is of such extreme importance that it is even mentioned in the Hagaddah itself.  Yet, we don’t find this custom so popular among the public.  The proper perspective is that the night of the seder is so precious and every moment has in store the ability to enable us to acquire Emunah.

Another important issue is the evenings of Chol HaMoed.  It was always a big question as to what exactly was the avoda of these special times.  On Succos we have the gift of the Simchas Bais HaShoevah.  But what about Pesach?  Then finally came the realization that the preceedings of the seder night is a prototype example as to how the rest of the evenings of Pesach should be spent, ‘sipur yetzias mitzraim’—being inspired by the great miracles and the acquisition of Emunah.

Here I sit in Yerushalayim, hoping yet to be able to bring the Korban Pesach this year.  We should be zocheh soon to the Geulah Sh’layma.  Chag Kasher V’Sameach to all.