Passover
Contrary to popular misconception, the Jewish people never left Egypt.
They were removed.
There is a big difference.
There were attempts to leave Egypt on human power alone, but they all failed. We simply could not get out until G‑d Himself took us out. How does this fact translate to our observance of Passover each year?
We do not fully extricate ourselves from our own spiritual, mental and emotional slavery. What we can do is make ourselves ready for G‑d to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. We make ourselves ready by being available—that is, by letting go of our attachments and surrendering to G‑d’s plan. In practical terms, this means that we clean house—literally. It also means that in the days leading up to Passover, our job is to get rid of the spiritual junk in our lives so that when G‑d offers us a chance at freedom, we are ready to pick up and go.
On behalf of the entire Chabad.org staff, I wish you all a happy housecleaning.
May you be available to G‑d when He comes to bring you out of bondage.
Shais Taub,
on behalf of the Chabad.org Editorial Team
Passover (Pesach) celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. Our Passover megasite has tools, guides, insights, stories, inspiration—and just about everything you need to celebrate Passover. (But bring your own wine.)
Get the full journey in a community setting with a rabbi at the helm—find a Seder near you . . .
Once the house is Passover-tidy, it’s time to do the search-and-destroy ritual, and then to bag and burn the evidence . . .
Any chametz left undisposed must be sold to a non-Jew. Use this online form to quickly delegate a rabbi to sell your chametz for you.
So here I am scrubbing and scrubbing. I’ve got my soul on my mind. And I’m talking to myself. I’m saying, “Mimi, scrub it away.”
Is it really necessary, more than 3000 years on, to commemorate our ancestors’ freedom from slavery? Can’t we move on to pressing contemporary issues?
Here’s one I always wanted to know: What if you’re living in Jerusalem? Do you say the prayer/wish, “Next year in Jerusalem!” or just leave that line out?
This cloud I sense does not speak, it only weeps. This cloud is enormous and has been shedding every Jewish tear from the beginning of time . . .
Misha is still sullen, taciturn and lost in thought. A life spent as an officer in the Soviet army has left him numb to ritual. Yet something drew him to this place . . .
“I suggest you approach your captain with an alternative route for the journey,” said the rebbe. “Explain that the route he has planned has many disadvantages . . .”
Between the holidays of Passover and Shavuot, the Omer is counted each evening, signifying our preparation for the receiving of the Torah on the holiday of Shavuot. Your one-stop site for an enhanced Omer experience.
Each year we retrace this inner journey. We count the days and weeks. The 50th day is the holiday of Shavuot, when we receive the Torah once again. We call it the “Counting of the Omer.”
What is freedom? What can be done with it? Nothing, unless we open the treasure chest and count its contents.
From little kids who insist on wearing sandals in the middle of winter, to teenagers willing to sport the most outlandish hair styles—we all try to distinguish ourselves in some way . . .
Chol Hamoed refers to the “intermediate period” of the festivals of Passover and Sukkot. They are the days sandwiched between the beginning and ending holy days of both festivals.
Tefillin are a “sign” of our special relationship with G‑d.
“The man Moses was more humble than any human being on the face of the earth.” (Numbers 12:3)
Moses didn’t fool himself. He knew how good he was. He knew he stood on a level beyond any other human being. Yet he was humbled before them.
Because he knew that all that he had achieved was only with the capabilities given...
