P esach 5777

“This matzah that we eat for what reason?” (Haggadah shel Pesach)

In Devarim (16:3) it says: “For seven days you shall eat the bread of affliction for in haste you went out of the land of Egypt.” Rashi explains that “bread of affliction” reminds us of the slavery in Mitzrayim. Yet the second half of the pasuk seems to imply that we eat matzah because there was no time during our hasty salvation for the dough to rise.

Ramban explains that matzah encompasses both aspects. To appreciate the salvation we must understand the enslavement.

Let’s give a mashal. An orphan is raised by his uncle who gives him everything to succeed. When the nephew gets married he says to his uncle “By the way thanks a lot.”

That’s it?! Shouldn’t he go into detail with his thanks?

That’s why there’s a mitzvah to expound on the story of Yetzias Mitzrayim — to remember the slavery and give thanks for the salvation. (Rav Shlomo Brevda)

Her name was Sara bas Sara and she lived on the top floor of my building in Mattersdorf. This was before the renovation rage had hit the area and the building was old and drafty. I had the dubious distinction of being responsible for the heating of the building. There was only one huge metal furnace deep in the bowels of the building which provided a few hours of heat a day for the entire building.

Problem was the first floors would get unbearably hot and the top floors would stay icy. Irate neighbors would call each complaining that since they paid for the heat they were entitled to have it perfect.

Sara also called or knocked during those howling winter days. Yet her tone was different. “I feel so bad to bother you… is there any way to get more heat?” She stood there with a sweet smile bundled in several sweaters.

I’d sneak down to the cellar and raise the heat despite others’ demands because I couldn’t leave her freezing.

Our recognition of salvation extends to spiritual salvation as well. Our forefathers were idol worshipers. Yet we merited becoming the Chosen Nation and receiving the Torah.

The Zohar says that the slavery in Mitzrayim was not a physical slavery; Pharaoh enslaved us with magic. There was no power besides Hashem that could release us from such imprisonment.

That’s why says Rav Chatzkel Levenstein “If Hashem had not taken our fathers out of Mitzrayim… we’d still be enslaved to Pharaoh.”

The Gra connects this to every individual. In Ha Lachma Anya we say: “Now we are here.” Sometimes we’re in a particular physical or spiritual state and cannot fathom being anywhere else. Yet we conclude “Next year we’ll be free.” We trust that Hashem will save us. (ibid.)

A tentative friendship developed that winter. Sara was the epitome of refinement — a Russian giyores in her fifties living alone. She’d drop in and I’d serve her strong tea as we schmoozed.

I couldn’t fathom what she dealt with waking each day to an empty frigid apartment knowing that tomorrow would probably be as solitary as today. Pesach was approaching and I invited her for a meal.

The Zohar says that Hashem sends angels to each Seder table to listen to us recount His nissim. They relate to Hashem our uniqueness — a nation that rejoices in the yeshuos of the King.

The Ramban says at the end of parshas Bo: There’s nothing better for the Heavens than the creations on earth recognizing and giving thanks to the One who created them. (ibid.)

The conversation during the meal moved to her past but Sara was reluctant to discuss that. “There’s nothing in my past — there’s only today.”

Then her whole face lit up blue eyes glowing with a warmth that spread across her thin features. “A yehudiah — that’s all I am. I’m so grateful to Hashem for allowing me the zechus to live every day as a member of His people. Can you imagine how empty my life would be without the fulfillment of Torah?” Sincerity and love marked every word.

I was humbled by this one woman’s journey from the bleak Russian steppes to a fourth-floor freezing apartment. And I was awed by the fire that warmed her — a flame fueled by gratitude to her Creator. (Originally featured in Family First Issue 537)