Traditionally, Ashkenazi Jews have the custom not to eat kitniot (legumes) on Pesach. There may be less of a selection in the stores in Israel of foods that do not contain kitniot but there is still plenty to buy. The army bases in Israel serve only food that does not contain kitniot on Pesach and the soldiers have enough to eat.

Unfortunately, this year Israel is at war on a few fronts. Many soldiers will not be able to be home or at their regular bases for Pesach and will be out in the battlefield in enemy territory.

In areas where the army will be able to distribute hot food to the soldiers, they will give out food that is kosher for Pesach without kitniot.

In areas where hot food can’t be delivered, the soldiers will receive matzah as well as everything that is needed for the seder. Aside from that, they will be given army rations without kitniot such as tuna in water, potato crackers, jelly, Pesach cakes and cookies and nuts. They will also receive army rations that include kitniot such as canned corn, beans, chickpeas, halva etc.

The Army Rabbinate explains that Ashkenasic authorities throughout history (including Chatam Sofer and the Mishna Brura) have allowed the use of kitniot during a time of great necessity (sh’at ha’dchak) when there was a food shortage. They also allowed a sick person to eat kitniot, even if they were not sick enough for their life to be in danger (choleh she’ein bo sakana).

The Chief Rabbi of Tzahal declared that a prolonged war on enemy territory would be considered a sh’at ha’dchak if there is not enough satisfying food and therefore even Ashkenasim would be allowed to eat kitniot. This would be a specific heter (dispensation) due to the war and one would not need to do “Hatarat Nedarim” (annul their vows). Those who want to be strict and not eat kitniot can certainly be lenient with products that contain kitniot oils such as canola oil which may be found in tuna fish or chocolate spread.

One must remember that kitniot are not Chametz and may be owned by those who don’t eat them. There is no dispensation for eating Chametz even while we are at war.

May this war end before the holiday and then this information will no longer be needed.

Pesach Kasher v’Sameach!

I came across a worksheet with a different version of Ma Nishtana and it really got me thinking about how much the State of Israel is taken for granted today.

What is different in this generation than in all of the other generations?

In other generations we were in the Diaspora and today we are in Israel.

In other generations we spoke different languages and now we speak Hebrew.

In other generations there was no Jewish State and now for almost 75 years we have the State of Israel.

In other generations the Land of Israel was a deserted wasteland and since the Jews came back, it is flourishing.

In other generations Jews didn’t have the opportunity to make aliya and now that we have a State, Jews can immigrate.

As we get ready for Pesach, let’s take a moment to reflect on the things that many of us take for granted: The opportunity to travel to and live in Israel, to read and speak Hebrew and to eat the beautiful produce of the land while observing the agricultural mitzvot.

Instead of focusing on the negative, we need to take a step back and appreciate the miracle which is the Modern State of Israel.

Pesach Kasher v’Sameach from Yerushalayim!

Now that the Jewish people have a sovereign State of Israel, should we return to the practice of bringing the Korban Pesach (sacrificing the Pascal lamb)?

According to Machon HaMikdash, The Temple Institute, now that the exile has ended and we are back in the Land of Israel, the Torah obligations that were observed before the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash (Temple) are once again in effect. The Korban Pesach is one of only two positive commandments whose lack of performance is punishable by Karet. The other is Brit Milah (circumcision).

For more than fifteen years, there have been ceremonies in Jerusalem called “Tirgul HaKravat Korban Pesach”, a model sacrifice of the Pascal lamb a few days before the holiday led by leading rabbis. In the past, participants have included Rabbi Aryeh Stern, Rabbi Yaakov Medan, Rabbi Shabtai Rappaport and former MK Yehuda Glick. There are Kohanim (priests) present dressed in full garb as biblically mandated. The lamb is slaughtered and roasted and participants get to sample the meat.

The seders that we conduct on Pesach with Karpas (green vegetables), Charoset (wine mixed with apples, nuts and cinnamon to look like mortar), Maror (bitter herbs) and Matzah are missing the key ingredient, the Korban Pesach which was the highlight of the evening until we were exiled.

The purpose of this model ceremony is to show us what we have been missing for 2000 years.

The ceremony was originally conducted in a school courtyard in Jerusalem but more recently it has taken place with police approval closer to the Kotel at the Davidson Archeological Park at the footsteps of Har HaBayit, the Temple Mount.

Organizers would prefer to bring the sacrifice itself on the Temple Mount. However, there are many issues that will have to be overcome before that happens considering that Jews don’t have official permission to pray on the Temple Mount, let alone to run a ceremony there.

A few hundred years ago, the Chatam Sofer was asked if the Korban Pesach could be reinstated. His answer was that the Turkish Sultan would not allow it.

Each year, there are Jews that attempt to sneak onto the Temple Mount to sacrifice a lamb but they are always stopped and turned away by the police.

Now that we have our own State of Israel, maybe the time is approaching when the Korban Pesach can be reinstated even before the third Beit HaMikdash is built.

It is interesting to note that the Ethiopian community brought the Korban Pesach when they lived in Ethiopia until the community made aliya and the Samaritans continue to bring the Korban Pesach each year on Har Grizim.

In Shmot 12:17 we read “And you shall guard the matzot, for on this day I brought out your hosts from the land of Egypt. You must preserve this day for your generations, it is an eternal statute.”

In the Talmud, Psachim 38b we learn that to fulfil the mitzvah of eating matzah at the Seder, not only must the matzah be free of chametz (leaven), the matzah must be guarded from becoming chametz for the purpose of the mitzvah to eat matzah. This matzah is called Shmura as it was guarded.

According to the Shulchan Aruch 453:4, it is preferable for the grain to be guarded from the time of the reaping and onward.

Rashi explains “And you shall guard the matzot” so that they do not become chametz. From this the Sages said (Psachim 3:4): “If the dough has begun to rise, pat it with cold moisture”.

Rashi then quotes the Mechilta:

Rabbi Yoshiah said: Do not read the word as the matzot. Rather, read it as the mitzvot (commandments). In other words “And you shall guard the mitzvot” in order to teach us that just as one does not allow the matzah to become chametz, so too should one not allow a mitzvah to become chametz (delayed). Rather, if the opportunity to observe a mitzvah comes your way, perform it immediately.

Just as we are meticulous in preparing the matzot, paying attention to every small detail, so too should we give proper attention to our observance of every mitzvah.

Many people put an extra effort into getting ready for Pesach, even taking on extra stringencies, while they are more laid back about observing other mitzvot over the course of the year. Many rabbis and spiritual leaders say that the only time that they are asked Halachic questions is when it comes to preparing for Pesach.

The month of Nisan, when we take the mitzvot of Pesach very earnestly is a good time to focus on taking the year round mitzvot seriously as well. In this way, we can carry the holiness and spirituality of Pesach as well as our commitment to observing the entire Torah with us throughout the year.

In memory of Shoshi Meltser, Shoshi bat Yitzchak z”l who passed away on the 9^th of Nisan, May her memory be for a blessing

Pesach is a big travel time. A lot of Jews from abroad fly to Israel to celebrate in Jerusalem and a lot of Israelis take the opportunity to travel the country.

This year is different. There will be no tourists and those who live in Israel are required to remain at home. However, we can virtually tour Israel when we read Shir HaShirim, Songs of Songs, the megillah which is traditionally chanted on Shabbat Chol HaMoed.

Song of Songs at face value is the story of a young couple’s love but it is midrashically interpreted as the love story between God and the Jewish people.

Whichever way you interpret it, you can’t escape the references to the places in Israel and the fruits of Israel.

In chapter 1, we see the daughters of Jerusalem (B’not Yerushalayim), the shepherds and the vineyards of Ein Gedi.

In chapter 2, we see images of nature in the Land of Israel.  The woman compares herself to chavatzelet hasharon (Pancratium maritimum), the white flower that grows by the sea and shoshanat ha’amakim (Narcissus tzetta) which grows in the valleys. Her boyfriend compares her to shoshana ben hachochim (Lilium candidum) a flower which grows in the thorny area of Mt. Carmel and in the northern region of Israel.

The woman compares her boyfriend to an apple tree in the forest who gives off shade and sweet fruit.

Just as she is the flower among the thorns, he is the fruit tree among the other trees which do not produce fruit.

The voice of her beloved is leaping on the mountains, shipping upon the hills. He is like a gazelle or young hart.

Both of these animals live in the wild and are good looking.

The spring season in Israel is described as a great opportunity to go out on a date (2:11) “For the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing bird has come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; the fig tree puts forth green figs and the vines of the blossom give their scent.”

In chapter 4, the boyfriend compares his girlfriend’s eyes to a dove and her hair to a flock of goats that cascade from Mt. Gilad. Her cheek is like a pomegranate. Her neck is like the Tower of David.

In describing her beauty, he is using imagery from the Land of Israel.

In 4:6, the beloved invites his bride to go with him on a trip in the north of Israel: “Come with me from Levanon, my bride, with me from Levanon; look from the top of Amana, from the top of Senir and Hermon.”

Lebanon was originally within the Biblical borders of Israel.

In 6:11, we see a beautiful description of a visit to a valley: “I went down to ginat haegoz (the garden of nuts) to see the fruits of the nachal, valley, and to see whether the vine has blossomed; whether the pomegranates were in flower.”

This can be a description of the area where palm trees and dates grow, it can be referring to a wadi or it can be referring to an orchard with different fruits growing together near the water.

There is an area in Abu Ghosh where all of these species grow together next to a spring of water.

Many of the images of fruits, flowers, animals, nature and different locations in Israel are repeated over and over again throughout Song of Songs. This helps us connect with the beauty of the Land of Israel.

No matter where in the world you will be spending Pesach, you can connect your seder to the Land of Israel by including the fruits and nuts mentioned in Shir HaShirim in your charoset and hopefully next year we will have the opportunity to once again travel the land.

The Mishnayot in Pesachim, Chapter 10 outline the Pesach Seder. Mishna 4 states: “According to the intelligence of the son, his father instructs him. He begins with disgrace and concludes with glory, and he expounds from ‘Arami oved avi’, ‘a wandering Aramean was my father’ (Dvarim 26:5) until he concludes the whole portion.”

What is the whole portion that the mishna is referring to?

The portion that is read and explained midrashically in our Hagadot is the portion of the Bikkurim, from Dvarim 26:5-8:

…The Aramean destroyed my forefather, then he descended to Egypt and sojourned there with a tiny community; and there he became a great people, powerful and numerous. The Egyptians treated us badly and oppressed us and they imposed hard labor upon us. We prayed to God, the God of our forefathers, and God accepted our prayer, and perceived our oppression, and our labor, and the pressure upon us. And God took us out of Egypt with a powerful hand and with an extended arm, and with great display, and with signs and with wonders.

Although the mishna said to conclude the entire portion, the next verse (9) which speaks about the entrance into the Land of Israel is not included in the Hagadah:

“And He brought us to this place, and He gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.”

Professors Shmuel and Ze’ev Safrai explain that the verse may have been left out since at this point in the seder, the Hagadah is focusing on Egyptian slavery and the exodus from Egypt.

Rabbi Mishael Zion, in his Hagadah Eretzyisraelit points out that now that the Jewish people have returned to the Land of Israel, it makes sense to include verse 9 which concludes this portion which was read when the Bikurim (first fruits) were brought by the farmer to the Beit HaMikdash.

When did our true freedom really begin? When we left Egypt? When we received the Torah? When we arrived in the Land of Israel?

If your answer is when we arrived in the Land of Israel and now we are miraculously back to being a free people in our own land, then it is time to truly conclude with glory and add the words “And He brought us to this place, and He gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.”

Looking forward to seeing you in the rebuilt Jerusalem!

In memory of Beatrice Landsman z”l

When reading the Haggada, we come across the verse from Shmot 1:7 which describes the growth of the nation: “The children of Israel were fruitful (paru) and swarmed (va-yishretzu), multiplied (va-yirbu) and grew (va-yaatzmu) more and more (bimeod meod). The whole land was filled with them.”

Rashbam differentiates between each of the verbs:

Paru: “they were fruitful” in pregnencies; va-yishretzu: “they swarmed” with live births since tiny creatures are described as swarming on the ground; va-yirbu: “they increased” in size, the small grew bigger and did not die in infancy; va-yaatzmu: “they grew” and did not die but were numerous and became very powerful.

In Midrash Lekach Tov, Rabbi Hiyya teaches that the verse emphasizes the extraordinary nature of this population explosion: Every daughter of Israel would give birth to six corresponding to the six terms: Paru, va-yishretzu, va-yirbu, va-yaatzmu, bimeod meod.

The seder is set up as a family oriented ritual focused on the concept of “you shall teach your children” with the Ma Nishtana (Four Questions) recited by the youngest child, the discussion of the Four Children, the different activities which keep the children interested culminating with the search for the Afikoman etc. It can be challenging for couples who are suffering from infertility to feel part of this.

In the Haggada, there is also the aspect of hope for the fertility challenged. B’nai Yisrael multiplied despite Pharaoh’s decrees, the midwives saved the baby boys, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted Moshe and raised him as her own.

While enjoying our own seders, when we recite the verse from Shmot 1:7, let’s keep in mind those who are fertility challenged and let’s pray that their wishes come true, that their fertility issues will be resolved and that they be blessed with healthy children as the Israelites were in Egypt.

In the 17^th century when coffee was introduced in Western Europe, Rabbi Yaakov Reischer was asked if coffee can be used on Pesach or if it is considered kitniot (a category of legumes that are not permissible on Pesach for Ashkenasic Jews). After doing some research and seeing that the coffee “bean” grows on a tree in a manner similar to a fruit or berry and is in fact not a bean at all, he permitted it. Rabbi Reischler added that even if coffee were kitniot, the fact that it is roasted and burned before the holiday makes it unfit to be considered food and therefore permits it.

Rabbi Yosef ben David of Breslaum on the other hand forbade coffee on Pesach and said that it was in the category of kitniot.

The HIDA, Rabbi Haim David Yosef Azulai explains that coffee indeed comes from the fruit of a tree and therefore rabbis who thought that it was kitniot were mistaken as it was unclear to them exactly how it was grown.

In the 19^th century, Rabbi Chaim Moshe Mordechai Margaliot wrote in his commentary, Shaarei Tshuva that there are some foods that were almost considered to be kitniot but in the end they were permitted. One example is coffee which they were afraid may have gotten mixed with grains or beans. According to Rabbi Margaliot, coffee is allowed but it is best to roast the beans before Pesach so that there are no concerns. Today the coffee is processed before the holiday, so it should not be an issue.

In the early 20^th century, many new immigrants from Eastern Europe arrived in America and assumed that coffee “beans” were kitniot. To rectify the situation, Joseph Jacobs from a New York advertising agency checked with rabbinic authorities to see if coffee is considered kitniot. The rabbis ruled that coffee is not kitniot and certified Maxwell House coffee for Passover. Maxwell House took out ads in the Yiddish Forward starting in 1923 and in 1932 they began to print the Maxwell House Haggada which was distributed free in supermarkets throughout the United States. Maxwell House coffee became associated with Pesach and the question of whether coffee was kosher for Pesach never came up again.

There is an opinion that Moshe is left out of the Hagada so that one would not make a mistake and confuse him with God or try to turn him into a deity (it is for this reason that we do not know his exact burial place as well).

However, if you check your Hagada, you will find that Moshe is in fact mentioned right before Dayenu in a quote from Rabbi Yossi HaGlili about the multiplication of the ten plagues: (Shmot 14:31) “B’nai Yisrael saw the great hand which God wielded against Egypt. The people feared God and believed in God and that Moshe was his servant.”

How do we reconcile these two opinions?

In the Mechilta D’Rabbi Yishmael where this quote from Rabbi Yossi HaGlili comes from, only half of Shmot 14:31 is quoted: “B’nai Yisrael saw the great hand” and the part about Moshe is left out. It is also left out in the Mechilta of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, Midrash HaGadol, Seder Rav Amram, Siddur Rav Sadia Gaon and from the Hagadot of Yemen as well as earlier Hagadot.

According to Shmuel and Zev Safrai, Moshe’s name is not officially considered to be in the Hagada as it was added later.

Although he is not specifically mentioned in the Hagada, in the discussions that go beyond the text that take place at most seders, especially when children are involved, Moshe is included as an integral part of the story of the Exodus.

According to the Rambam (Maimonides) in Hilchot Chametz uMatza 7:2, “It is a mitzvah to tell the children about the Exodus even if they do not ask…If the children are mature and wise, tell them all that happened to us in Egypt and all the miracles that God did for us by means of Moshe…”

Many seders today add in songs that help the children understand the story better. Many of these songs in both Hebrew and English mention Moshe including “Where is Baby Moses” and “Moshe baTeva” as well as the famous “Let My People Go.”

As long as those attending the seder are aware that God was the redeemer and that Moshe, Aharon and Miriam were there to help Him carry out the redemption there is no problem mentioning them and telling their story actually enhances the seder.

As it says in the Hagada “The more and longer one expands and embellishes the story, the more commendable.”

In Memory of Nehama Leibowiz on her Yahrzeit

We begin the Magid section of the Hagada with the words: “Ha Lachma Anya…”, “This is the poor bread that our fathers ate in the land of Egypt. Anyone who is hungry, come and eat! Anyone who needs, come make Pesach! This year we are still here; next year in the Land of Israel. This year we are still slaves; next year, free people!

Why do we invite guests after declaring that the matza is poor bread?

If our invitation is sincere, why are we only inviting them now?

This statement was introduced during the Geonic period of the Babylonian exile. Rav Matityahu Gaon  (9^th century) states that the minhag originally was to leave the door open so that all of the poor people would feel free to enter and join the meal. Later it became unsafe in many communities to leave the door unlocked so the guests would be invited in advance.

The reason that it is still included today is to raise awareness about giving tzedaka to the poor and inviting those who would otherwise not have a place to spend the seder.

The reason that we invite the poor right after we look at this poor (made with only flour and water) broken matza is because at that moment we remember how poor we were in Egypt and how we now want to make sure to include the poor in our happiness.

The path to the redemption begins with righteousness as it says in Yishayahu 1:27 “The city of righteousness, a faithful city Zion will be redeemed with judgment and those that return to her with righteousness.”

How does this manifest itself today?

Many families invite guests to their seder or donate money to help provide food so that those in need can conduct their own dignified seders.

I heard about a beautiful initiative while listening to an interview on a Jerusalem radio station: A young couple takes over an entire school in downtown Jerusalem and makes a seder for 500 people who would otherwise not have a place to spend the first night of Pesach. Participants include the elderly, Holocaust survivors, lone soldiers and anyone else who doesn’t want to be alone or cannot afford to conduct their own seder.

Initiatives like these will help bring us closer to the true redemption. May we spend next Pesach in Yerushalayim HaBnuya, the rebuilt Jerusalem.

We all know about the “four children” at the Seder, the wise, the wicked, the simple and the one who doesn’t know how to ask. But who is the fifth child?

Just as we have four cups of wine with a fifth cup set aside for Eliyahu HaNavi, so too there is a “fifth child” who should have a place at the Seder, yet unfortunately that child may not be joining us this year.

The fifth child could be the person who is so far removed from Judaism that he has no interest in coming to the Seder at all.

I spoke about this “fifth child” at our Seder at our home in Jerusalem a few years ago. Among our guests were new immigrants from the local absorption center. One of the women in attendance who had just made aliya from Russia surprised me by saying: “That fifth son that you are talking about is my son- he is back at the absorption center reading a book and watching TV. He wasn’t interested in coming tonight”. I had no idea and I felt terrible, but her statement definitely proves my point.

The fifth child could be someone who would like to attend a Seder but may not be able to afford it or wouldn’t even have an idea of where to go or who could be too embarrassed to ask for an invitation. At the beginning of the Seder we say: “Ha Lachma Anya…”, “This is the bread of poverty…Let all who are hungry come and eat. Let all who are in need come and share the Pesach meal...,” Just as we open the door for Eliyahu later in the Seder, we are actually supposed to open the door at this point to see if there is anyone who needs a place at the Seder. Unfortunately, by that time it may be too late. Whoever has not yet been invited to a Seder is most probably not looking for one at that time. We must take the initiative to find out where those people are and invite them before the holiday.

Unfortunately, the fifth child could be someone who would like to come to the Seder but doesn’t have the freedom to do so. Gilad Shalit’s mother is asking everyone to leave an empty chair for Gilad at their Seder as we are unfortunately coming up on Gilad’s fourth Seder in captivity.

As Peasch approaches, lets do what we can to fill those empty places with all of the “fifth children”, those who are far removed from Judaism, those who can’t afford or wouldn’t know how to make their own Seder and may those in captivity be brought home.

At the Pesach Seder we recite the following words “Arami oved avi…”, “The Aramite (Lavan, Yaakov’s father-in-law) attempted to destroy my forefather (Yaakov). Then Yaakov descended to Egypt and lived there in a tiny community. There his descendents became a great people, powerful and numerous”.

Although Lavan and Pharaoh tried to destroy B’nai Yisrael, Yaakov’s children, even under harsh circumstances were not destroyed. Against all odds, they became a “goy gaadol”, a great people.

The Hagaddah says that B’nai Yisrael excelled in Egypt (Mitzuyanim).

In what ways were they mitzuyanim?

In Shir HaShirim Raba, Rav Huna says in the name of Bar Kafra: The Jews were redeemed from Egypt for the following four reasons:

1. They did not give up their Jewish names
2. They did not give up their language
3. They did not gossip
4. They did not have relations with the Egyptians

 Sefer HAggada adds a fifth reason:

1. They performed acts of loving kindness

 
How can we today help bring about the final redemption which is referred to at the end of the seder?  I believe that it is by ensuring Jewish continuity; giving our children Jewish names, making Hebrew language a priority, taking care not to speak lashon hara, dating within the Jewish community and performing acts of chesed.

 As we look toward the final redemption “L’Shana HaBaah B’Yerushalayim HaBenuyah”, “Next year in the rebuilt Jerusalem” let’s take it upon ourselves to be mitzuyanim, let’s excel as B’nai Yisrael did in the observance of these mitzvoth.

According to the Mishna Brurah, women are obligated in observing all of the mitzvoth of the Passover Seder such as drinking the four cups of wine, reading the Haggada, eating matzah and eating maror(bitter herbs). The Gemara in Sotah 11b explains why women are obligated in these mitzvoth even though they are time-related. The women were the ones who took an active role in the redemption of the Jewish people from Egypt. The women continued to have vision that the redemption would occur and continued to have children despite the reluctance of their husbands. Miriam the prophetess insisted that her parents continue having children and the result was that her mother gave birth to Moshe. The midwives, Shifra and Pua continued saving the babies despite Pharaoh's decree to kill the newborns.

What about the custom of bringing a pillow to the table and reclining at the seder? Are women obligated in observing this custom? Are they even permitted?

According to the Gemara in Pesachim 108a, a woman who is with her husband is not obligated to recline, but if she is an important woman, she is obligated to recline. The Rama (16th century) who quotes the Mordechai (13th century) states "In our community all the women are important". According to the Vilna Gaon (18th century) "An important woman is wealthy enough that she doesn't need to busy herself with the needs of the household and the preparation of food." Does that mean that those of us who have just spent the last week cooking and cleaning should not recline?

According to Sylvia Barack Fishman, noted author in her book "A Breath of Life", "The vast majority of American Jewish women have levels of secular and Jewish education unthinkable in earlier periods of history. They occupy positions of importance and prestige in the professional and business worlds. They most certainly are free persons". Following this approach coupled with the approaches of the Mordechai and Rama, it makes sense that women should recline at the Passover Seder even if they were the ones doing many of the preparations. In fact if they did most of the preparations, they certainly should recline on the night where we talk about moving from slavery to freedom!

To all the women out there, take out your pillows, and follow the words of the Ma Nishtana: "kulanu misubin", WE ALL RECLINE!