Vayikra

One of the beautiful songs customarily sung at the completion of the Seder is “Who knows one?,” to which we respond, “I know one! One is our L-rd who is in Heaven and Earth.” Isn’t it a bit obvious and anti-climactic to proclaim this basic concept of the knowledge of Hashem after observing the complex Seder ritual? I would like to suggest the following based on a Mechilta in Parshas Yisro. After Yisro heard Moshe Rabbeinu’s first-hand account of the Exodus from Egypt, Yisro proclaimed, “Now I know that Hashem is greater than all the gods….” Rashi quotes the Mechilta, “I recognized Him in the past, but now even more!!”. Yisro had long ago rejected paganism and recognized Hashem, however the advent of Hashem’s strong and overt Hand during the Exodus gave Yisro a totally new dimension in his knowledge of Hashem. Our post-Seder declaration of the oneness of Hashem reflects this new dimension. We are now inspired to declare, “We recognized Hashem in the past, but now, after experiencing and reliving the Exodus, even moreso! One is the L-rd who is in Heaven and Earth.”

The holy Sfas Emes was once asked why it is customary to don a white “kittel” during the Seder. Although they expected a classic and insightful thought, the Sfas Emes responded simply, “As it is customary to purchase new clothing for Pesach, the kittel is donned to protect this new clothing from getting soiled!” The Rebbe’s pragmatic and pedestrian answer disappointed the Chassidim until the elder Chassidim “explained” the Rebbe’s true intent. On the night of the Seder, the Almighty bedecks us all with new spiritual clothing, Divine assistance, which, if harnessed properly, can bring us to new heights in the service of Hashem. The kittel reminds us not to squander and soil our new-found “clothing” but rather to appreciate their awesome potential!

The Maggid of Mezeritch, Reb Dov Ber, possessed a stern and contemplative personality that, at times, brought the Maggid to the brink of depression. Since the Divine Presence only rests where there is simcha, joy, the Rebbe had an attendant by the name of R’ Hershel, whose positive and jovial disposition readjusted the Rebbe back to a pleasant mood. On one particular occasion, the Rebbe fell into a deep depression, but R’ Hershel’s clever insights and jokes successfully released the Rebbe from this pit of despair. The Rebbe was so appreciative of R’ Hershel’s assistance that he proclaimed to him, “I promise you that you will never see the face of Gehinnom and will only enjoy the pleasure of Gan Eden. Do not think this is true because I, the grandson of the Holy Baal Shem Tov, am blessing you, but rather the power of your simcha and jovial comments will force even the evil angels to capitulate and say “Amen” to your requests!” R’ Hershel saw things differently and responded, “I don’t fear the evil angels, but I do fear the deaf angels because no matter what I say, my words will perforce fall on deaf ears!” R’ Hershel’s comment must penetrate the innermost depths of our souls. A sinful or evil Jew shouldn’t frighten us because the spirituality and sanctity of our Pesach holiday will inspire him to turn over a new leaf. However, it is the deaf, complacent and indifferent Jew that is not affected by the majestic holiness of Pesach that should send shivers down our spines. One who does not appreciate the new spiritual clothing the Sfas Emes alluded to, or the new-found perspective of the oneness of Hashem, faces the danger of falling into the materialistic and hedonistic abyss of American life. Never will inspiration change him!

The eighth day of Pesach is called “Acharon shel Pesach,” literally “The Last Day of Pesach.” There is no other Yom Tov that we designate its final day as the “last” day. The prophet Yirmiyahu provides the reason when he declares, “Days are coming - the Word of Hashem - when people will no longer swear ‘As Hashem lives, Who brought the Children of Israel up from the land of Egypt’, but rather ‘As Hashem lives, Who brought up and brought back the offspring of the House of Israel from the land of the North and from all the lands wherein He had dispersed them.’” The advent of the Messianic redemption will eclipse the Exodus from Egypt and therefore we proclaim and pray that this be the Last Day of Pesach forever with the coming of the Moshiach, speedily in our days.

The Baal HaTanya would conclude his Seder like this. “Master of the World, I have done Your will, by performing the Seder with all its intricate laws. Now, dear G-d, perform my will - L’Shana HaBaah B’Yerushalayim!!”

May this be the Last Pesach! Next Year in Yerushalayim!

Have a wonderful Shabbos,

Rav Akiva Stolper