PESACH

PESACH THOUGHTS

“And G-d will pass over the opening” (Exodus 12:23)

We are told in the Haggadah that in every generation we should try and picture ourselves as if we are leaving Egypt. The Chassidic writers point out that this is not simply an exercise in imagination. 

We too, can benefit, in some ways, from the blessings of the Exodus, in the same way as our ancestors did.

According to the Midrash, the Jews of the Exodus were not especially spiritual. Indeed, some of them were as involved in worshipping idols as their Egyptian hosts!

Yet, G-d took them out of Egypt. He gave them a spiritual boost that elevated them to great heights.

The road to spiritual greatness is normally long and arduous. Maimonides says that eventually, it is even possible to aspire to prophecy! However, in order to do so a person must abandon mundane pleasures and devote himself or herself to prayer, study and meditation. Anyone who sincerely seeks closeness to G-d will be given divine assistance in reaching that goal, but, they must initiate the process themselves. As the Midrash states: G-d says, ‘Give me an opening the size of a point of a needle and I will broaden it like the portals of a palace.’ We have to provide that opening. 

Yet, there is an exception. On Pesach, in Egypt, even this minimal requirement was waived. The Rebbe of Kotzk interpreted the above verse, ‘G-d will pass over the opening’ to mean that on the first Pesach, G-d suspended the requirement that a person must initiate the effort to come close to Him. Like a loving parent who lifts and embraces an infant, G-d took the Israelites out of Egypt and elevated them to amazing spiritual heights.

The Chassidic Masters tell us that on each and every Pesach this unusual grace is repeated. Many years, we may not notice this gift and let it pass us by. This year, let us recognise this gift and grasp it to the full. Whether you are celebrating the Seder with family or friends or even if you are having to spend Seder by yourself, there is a spiritual energy we can download that can elevate us. On Pesach there is a special strength that is given to us to reach into ourselves and reach up to G-d. Use it to the full. Chag Sameiach