1) Why is the 1st part of the Haggada in Aramaic?
Because in מגיד (Reciting of the Passover story) in the Haggada it says “All who are hungry let them come and eat”, we didn’t want the Egyptians to “come and eat”.
2) Why on the day of our freedom do we have to admit that we were a slave at one point?
3) Until when do we say קריאת שמע?
Forever, even after Moshiach comes.
4) Why do we say קריאת שמע even after moshiach comes?
Because even though we will have bigger miracles by moshiach we still have to remember the miracles of Egypt which are compared to the miracles of moshiach will be smaller. This teaches us that anything good someone does for us—big or small---we must always remember.
5) After the story of Rabbi Elazar the son of Azariah it says בורך המקום which means “bless Hashem” but why is Hashem referred to as a מקום which means “place”?
Hashem is everywhere and in every place. That’s why Hashem is referred as aמקום “place”.
6) What is the point of reading Chad Gadya?
To teach you that Hashem has plans for everything and everyone, and runs the world.
7) Why didn’t the Haggada bring the story of Haman and Amaleik?
The war of Amaleik has not ended and is still going on.
8) Why do we only have four cups?
The four cups stand for the four words of redemption, והוצאתי (And I will take out), והצלתי (And I will save), וגאלתי (And I will redeem), ולקחתי (And I will took out)
Order of the SederThis weeks Parsha is Parshas Tzav, also called Shabbot Hagadol. It is called Shabbot Hagadol because a miracle happened on this day. Hashem commanded The Jews to take a lamb and tie it to their bed, After four days they should kill the animal and roast it. The miracle of this is that the Egyptians worshiped lambs and they did not even say a word about what the Jews are doing
Shabbat Shalom! Have a Good Shabbos!
Hashem's Prophecy to Balaam was introduced by ויקר (Vayikra without an Alph).While Hashem's Prophecy to Moshe was introduced by ויקרא (Vayikra with an Alph).There is a question that is asked why is the word ויקרא spelled in the Torah with a small Alph ? The Baal Ha Turim explains that after the fact that Hashem instructed Moshe to write an Alph as an expression of affection, Moshe humbly wrote a small Alph. Furthermore Rabbi Buam of P'schishca explains that Alph means to teach, Thus implying that one should learn to always be small and humble like the small Alph.
Shabbat Shalom! Have a Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Yaakov Loeberbaum of Lisa (d. 1832), the author of Nesivos Hamishpat, says even without bowing down to idols or offering to them sacrifices, merely declaring certain things to be as a result of one’s own work or power is considered heretical idolatry. He explains that this is the understanding of the exegesis in the Talmud which states that King David desired to commit idolatry until Chushai stopped him; in reality, David merely wanted to attribute his military victories to his own strength and not G-d’s help. This is the meaning behind the juxtaposition of Deuteronomy 8:17, “And you shall say in your heart, ‘my might and the strength of my hand, made me all this fortune’”, to the warning against committing idolatry and straying after false lords. Assuming that one’s success is a result of his or her own toil and perseverance is denying the power of G-d and (heaven forbid) declaring Him secondary in the natural flow of the world. Therefore, attempting to achieve as much wealth, honor, or pleasure as possible can also be classified as a type of idolatry for it implies that it is within an individual’s ability to accomplish such a task unaided by divine intervention.
Shabbat Shalom! Have a Good Shabbos!
