Dear SHA Community,
At each Passover seder, we say: In every generation, each one is obligated to see himself as if he, personally, left Egypt (bechol dor vador chayav adam lir’ot et atzmo k’ilu yatzanu mimitzrayim)
We fulfill this obligation by retelling the engaging story of the Exodus and by introducing changes to the normal practice in order to elicit questions from the children. We lean and we drink wine in the way of free people. We spontaneously praise G-d.
On Pesach in Egypt, while the plague of the death of the firstborn raged outside, our ancestors served Hashem family-by-family by eating the Pascal lamb offering. The home was a sanctuary. This year, we will serve Hashem family-by-family through telling the story of the Exodus and eating matzah. Our own homes are sanctuaries, too.
The Torah describes seder night as the night of Hashem’s vigilance, for all generations. It is in recognition of this special status of seder night that many have the custom to open the front door before reciting Hallel demonstrating that we have no fear of the outside forces because G-d provides a special protection tonight.
May G-d’s vigilance extend to each of us, to our families, to the Jewish People and to all of the citizens of the world.
May it be G-d’s will that the service of our seder be accepted before Him and that we successfully engage our children in connecting to our people, our story and our eternal ideas.
Moadim LeSimha! Chag Kasher sameach! Pesah Alegre!
Rabbi Owen
