Living Torah Archives

Rabbi Hershel Feigelstock served as principal of the Lubavitch Yeshiva in Montreal for some forty years. In the 1940s, as a Yeshiva student at 770, he spent the holiday of Passover in New York. In a fascinating interview, he recalls the Rebbe inviting him to the private Passover meal of his father-in-law and predecessor, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson.

The themes of the month of Nissan, and especially of Passover, comprise the fundamentals of Judaism. Accordingly, the Exodus from Egypt, and the messages of the holiday, must be applied not just once a month, but during every single day of a Jew’s life.

As G-d testifies Himself, He came personally to redeem us from our slavery in Egypt to serve Him as His chosen people. But if we’re really God’s chosen people, why does serving Him require such effort and struggle?

All important things need preparation, and education is certainly no exception. We need not wait to respond to our children; by being proactive, we can be sure that they’re properly engaged. This is especially true by the Passover Seder. Much of the ritual that surrounds the Passover Seder involves the participation of our children. By properly preparing, all our children, no matter their personalities, can feel welcome and involved.

Although Passover is called the Season of Our Freedom, when the Jewish people were redeemed from Egypt there was no mention of the matter. Instead, they were told by Moses that they are leaving Egypt to serve G-d.

The Haggadah relates that “Torah speaks to four sons”. Although they are all different they are placed one beside the other to emphasize the innate value of each.

Newly acquired film of the Rebbe distributing matza the day before Passover, and the morning prayers during the intermediate days of the festival. Rabbi Ahron Goldstein, who was present, and whose father filmed these scenes, provides a running commentary. (1962)

The Passover Seder begins with the child’s question: “Why is this night different from all other nights?” Fundamentally, the question bothering the child is: “Why am I different from children of all other nations?”

Where is a young couple to turn when they can’t afford their Passover expenses? Mrs. Esther Mentz tells a heartwarming story of kindness and sensitivity (in the year 1957).

Education comes in many forms: First and foremost is to provide a living example. The best way to influence someone is by practicing what you preach. As we approach Passover, the call of the hour is to seek out those who cannot afford the holiday expenses and provide all that they need.

Passover is ‘The Festival of Our Freedom.’ The Festival itself calls out: “Listen, Jews – we must be free!” The verse states: “There shall be one law for the Passover sacrifice – for you, the convert and the native-born.” Allegorically speaking, ‘native-born’ refers to the ‘true citizen’ of a country – one who thinks that his country is the greatest. A Jew must recognize, however, that he is “Jerusalem-born” – no matter where in the world he is.

At the conclusion of Passover, 1967, the Rebbe distributes Kos Shel Brachah, “Wine of Blessing,” late into the night.

The Rebbe distributes Matzah before Passover, at his home on President Street.

In the Haggadah, after listing the many miracles and gifts G-d gave the Jewish People after their exodus from Egypt, we recite: “How much more so should we be grateful to the Omnipresent One for the doubled and redoubled goodness that He bestowed upon us, for He has brought us out of Egypt.”