Pesach Edition -- 15 Nissan, 5772 / April 7, 2012 -- Vol. 3, Issue 6
Ahhh, spring time. The cold winter slowly fades from our memory as the warmer months rapidly approach. Bees are buzzing, birds are humming, and the ducks have begun the long journey home so they can begin their daily waddling once more. And what are the Jewish people doing to celebrate the return of warmer weather? Scrubbing their counter tops, causing local supermarkets to have a shortage of tin foil, and searching their living rooms with a candle, feather, and wooden spoon.
Usually the Jewish people really know how to celebrate. We say l’chaim, share large festive meals, sing and dance, eat again, share stories, eat once more, pray, and so on. So why the extreme intensity and determined focus on ensuring that not even the tiniest crumb of chametz remains? Let’s be honest, what are the chances that there is a piece of bread stuck behind the toilet? Well to tell you the truth, now that I have a two year old I can appreciate that the odds of that happening are actually a whole lot greater than one might assume.
Nonetheless, why so much work to exterminate chametz, after all, year round it gives us sustenance and energy for all that we need. Perhaps the answer can be found in the question. Why so much hard work? Why so much focus? Why so much sheer determination not to have any chametz remaining? Because there is no greater happiness than the resolution of doubt.
Chametz (essentially leavened bread filled with air) represents ego. Ego is not necessarily a bad thing. It is important that a person understand what they are capable of achieving and that they have healthy self-esteem so they can use their G-d given talents to make a positive impact on the world. However, when ego goes unchecked, it is easy for it to manifest itself in ways which are deceiving and can lead a person astray. Searching and cleaning one’s home of chametz symbolizes our desire to rid any part of ourselves that is haughty, self-centred, and contrite. This is no small feat and must be done with great toil and determination, not being afraid to get ones hands dirty.
Just as after Pesach we are able to resume enjoying chametz and transforming its nutritional value into energy, so too only after freeing ourselves of any destructive thoughts and egotistical tendencies can we move forward with unshaken confidence utilizing our skills, talents, and attributes. In essence, Pesach cleaning is like spring cleaning for the soul.
So when does the fun really begin (for those of us who don’t necessarily consider scrubbing cabinets ‘fun’)? The moment on erev Pesach when the table is set, the seder plates are arranged, and the candles are about to be lit. We can then step back and pause for a moment in thanks to G-d that we were able to complete all that we set out to do and are confident that not a single remnant of chametz remains. When all the doubt drifts away, we can smile and be b’simcha.
Usually the Jewish people really know how to celebrate. We say l’chaim, share large festive meals, sing and dance, eat again, share stories, eat once more, pray, and so on. So why the extreme intensity and determined focus on ensuring that not even the tiniest crumb of chametz remains? Let’s be honest, what are the chances that there is a piece of bread stuck behind the toilet? Well to tell you the truth, now that I have a two year old I can appreciate that the odds of that happening are actually a whole lot greater than one might assume.
Nonetheless, why so much work to exterminate chametz, after all, year round it gives us sustenance and energy for all that we need. Perhaps the answer can be found in the question. Why so much hard work? Why so much focus? Why so much sheer determination not to have any chametz remaining? Because there is no greater happiness than the resolution of doubt.
Chametz (essentially leavened bread filled with air) represents ego. Ego is not necessarily a bad thing. It is important that a person understand what they are capable of achieving and that they have healthy self-esteem so they can use their G-d given talents to make a positive impact on the world. However, when ego goes unchecked, it is easy for it to manifest itself in ways which are deceiving and can lead a person astray. Searching and cleaning one’s home of chametz symbolizes our desire to rid any part of ourselves that is haughty, self-centred, and contrite. This is no small feat and must be done with great toil and determination, not being afraid to get ones hands dirty.
Just as after Pesach we are able to resume enjoying chametz and transforming its nutritional value into energy, so too only after freeing ourselves of any destructive thoughts and egotistical tendencies can we move forward with unshaken confidence utilizing our skills, talents, and attributes. In essence, Pesach cleaning is like spring cleaning for the soul.
So when does the fun really begin (for those of us who don’t necessarily consider scrubbing cabinets ‘fun’)? The moment on erev Pesach when the table is set, the seder plates are arranged, and the candles are about to be lit. We can then step back and pause for a moment in thanks to G-d that we were able to complete all that we set out to do and are confident that not a single remnant of chametz remains. When all the doubt drifts away, we can smile and be b’simcha.
Pesach Edition -- 21 Nissan 5773 / March 31, 2013 -- Vol. 4 Issue 5
This is a wonderful time of year and the past two months have been filled with two of my favourite holidays: Purim and Pesach. It was especially significant this year as my daughter Bayla is now nearly three years old and capable of really learning all about these special days.
As Purim approached, we discussed how brave Queen Esther was, how wise Mordechai was, and how not nice Haman was. We reviewed this several times by asking Bayla, “Was Haman nice or not nice?” Each time she replied, “Not nice.” Then on Purim itself while discussing the story in a most innocent voice she looked up at me and said, “If Haman is going to be nice then he can come to my house for Shabbos.” All the adults smiled at the naiveté and childlike comment she had made, and the meal continued.
Then came time to learn about Pesach and all the great miracles which Hashem did for the Jewish people. At the Seder when it came time to read about the 10 plagues Bayla talked about each of the pictures she had coloured that we had taped on the wall. She was very proud that she knew all of the plagues and had a picture to go with each and every one.
We discussed all of the plagues and how the Jews left Egypt. Just as we were about to proceed, Bayla once again looked up at me and said, “Why Paroah is not nice? If Paraoh is going to be nice, he can come for Yom Tov. He can come to my house for the Seder!” Now that this had happened 2 times I knew that there had to be a deeper message that we needed to learn from Bayla. Could Haman and Paroah really come to my house if they were going to be nice?
Each of us has a part of ourselves that holds us back and keeps us from exploring new mitzvahs and breaking out of our own inner boundaries. But it is never too late to regroup, renew, and break through to the other side. It is never too late for a Jew to return to his true self and embrace a world full of Torah and Mitzvahs. This year as we celebrate the last days of Pesach, don’t be afraid to become who you really are. After all, even Paroah can come to your house for Pesach…if he’s going to be nice!
As Purim approached, we discussed how brave Queen Esther was, how wise Mordechai was, and how not nice Haman was. We reviewed this several times by asking Bayla, “Was Haman nice or not nice?” Each time she replied, “Not nice.” Then on Purim itself while discussing the story in a most innocent voice she looked up at me and said, “If Haman is going to be nice then he can come to my house for Shabbos.” All the adults smiled at the naiveté and childlike comment she had made, and the meal continued.
Then came time to learn about Pesach and all the great miracles which Hashem did for the Jewish people. At the Seder when it came time to read about the 10 plagues Bayla talked about each of the pictures she had coloured that we had taped on the wall. She was very proud that she knew all of the plagues and had a picture to go with each and every one.
We discussed all of the plagues and how the Jews left Egypt. Just as we were about to proceed, Bayla once again looked up at me and said, “Why Paroah is not nice? If Paraoh is going to be nice, he can come for Yom Tov. He can come to my house for the Seder!” Now that this had happened 2 times I knew that there had to be a deeper message that we needed to learn from Bayla. Could Haman and Paroah really come to my house if they were going to be nice?
Each of us has a part of ourselves that holds us back and keeps us from exploring new mitzvahs and breaking out of our own inner boundaries. But it is never too late to regroup, renew, and break through to the other side. It is never too late for a Jew to return to his true self and embrace a world full of Torah and Mitzvahs. This year as we celebrate the last days of Pesach, don’t be afraid to become who you really are. After all, even Paroah can come to your house for Pesach…if he’s going to be nice!
