Pesach

Overview

Pesach commemorates the Exodus of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. It begins on the fifteenth of Nisan in the spring and lasts seven days (eight outside the Land of Israel), with the first and last days observed as full festival days. Its central observance is the Seder night, at which families retell the redemption through the Haggadah, eat matzah and bitter herbs, and drink four cups of wine. All leaven (chametz) is removed and avoided throughout. Pesach celebrates freedom, faith, and the birth of Israel as a nation.

Themes

• Redemption in every generation
• Faith that repairs exile
• The Exodus as future redemption
• Redemption of speech and song
• Matzah and humility
• Revealing Divine kingship

Must-read teachings

1. 1Inner Redemption Within ExileEating of Matza (during Pesach) is optional (Mechilta Bo Pischa 8). This implies that all year round it is not optional. For as long as a person is subjected to and connected to nature, one is not able to eat matza, which is plain, without…תרל"א
2. 2Spiritual Renewal of ExodusRegarding the name “Shabbat HaGadol,” which is the first commandment that the Children of Israel received. The Sefat Emet opens by identifying Shabbat HaGadol as the first formative mitzvah given to Israel. And just as one becomes a bar mit…תרמ"ה
3. 3Elevating Nature Through Faith“And he shall wave the omer; and in the Midrash it says: What advantage… that he labors under the sun.” The Sefat Emet begins with the Midrash’s question about human toil, framing it around the ritual of waving the omer. “For behold, Israel…תרמ"ז
4. 4Following God Beyond UnderstandingIn the Mekhilta it is taught on the verse “And Egypt was journeying after them; immediately they cried out… to the Lord—they seized the craft of their ancestors. But once they put leaven into the dough, they came to Moses and said, ‘Was it …תרנ"ד
5. 5Redemption Through RefinementConcerning the splitting of the Sea, “and they returned and encamped before Pi‑ha‑Chirot.” The Sefat Emet opens by linking the encampment before the sea to an inner spiritual preparation. It is taught in the Midrash that the seventh day of …תרמ"ג
6. 6Inner Voice and Revelation“In the Midrash: two inheritances… Jacob takes pride in his inheritance, ‘the voice is the voice of Jacob,’ etc.” The Sefat Emet begins by noting the Midrash that Israel has two spiritual inheritances, associated with Jacob, and especially …תרל"ג
7. 7Revealing Divine KingshipIn the Midrash: “Your throne has been established since then.” The Midrash teaches that God’s sovereignty is rooted at the beginning of creation. Even though Your throne was never fully settled until then. God’s kingship was not complete or…תרנ"ד
8. 8Holiness in the FestivalsIn the section of the Festivals. The Sefat Emet opens by situating his teaching within the Torah passages about the appointed times. I heard from my grandfather of blessed memory that Scripture placed “And I shall be sanctified among the ch…תרמ"ו