As we prepare to celebrate the Yom Tov of Pesach with our families and friends at our Seder, it will be an excellent time to reassess our total commitment to our גאולה שלמה.
It is said that religion ought to be our steering
wheel , but, too often, many treat it as a spare tire, useful only in a blowout.
Pesach is our time to change this attitude and to live Judaism in a most pristine and majestic fashion.
Pesach is our time to achieve the ultimate goal of expressing our הכרת הטוב to Hashem and to look forward to our glorious and successful future. In thinking of the direction of life that we must take, I am inclined to use our Seder reflecting, specifically, one very popular song, Dayenu, for my message this Pesach. My interest focuses on the the statement, "Had He brought us before Mount Sinai and not given us the Torah, Dayenu, it would have been enough".
The Rav asks and analyzes the question, "What purpose was there in coming to Sinai, if we were not to receive the Torah?"
The Rav explained that, "Even had we not received the Torah, the encounter with the Shechinah, G-D's presence, as He descended the mountain amidst thunder and lightning, would have left its impact on our souls forever."
The Rav would often speak of the "Encounter of man with the Shechinah." In describing the goals of Torah study, we are taught that there are two aspects to the experience of a Jew studying G-D's wisdom. The first aspect is "intellectual", attaining understanding and wisdom by accumulating knowledge and deepening insight. However, there is a second aspect which is as important - the "experiential" feeling that one is in G-D's presence.
The Rav, would refer to this aspect as a "Rendezvous with the Holy One". He would speak of the exalted feeling of sensing the Divine. This experience of encountering G-D and feeling His presence is not only found through Torah study but should extend to a Jew's whole existence.
The Seder is truly an exhilarating experience, for this night is a true time of ליל שמורים, a time when our closeness to Hashem, inspires and elevates our state of Kedusha.
On this night our Jewish hearts are overflowing with feelings of joy and thanksgiving. It is a night of great romance between G-D and the Jewish People. It is for this reason, that after the Seder, for many, to recite the
שיר השירים.
This Song of Songs states אני לדודי ודודי לי, I am my beloved and my beloved is mine.
This is the most glorious message that we can receive from the Seder and from the Yom Tov of Pesach. A message of hope; a message of love; a message of unity; that can carry us forward into the weeks and months ahead leading us, vibrantly, to the Yom Tov of Shavuot, when the Revelation of Hashem took place inspiring
עם ישראל to greater heights of Spirituality.
With such an outlook, we will say with confidence, that the time of ביאת גואל צדק, has arrived.
Wishing every one a
. חג כשר ושמח ושבת שלום ומבורך.
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