In the Haggadah, we emphasize the point that the plague of the firstborn was wrought by G-d Himself, and not by an angel or other agent. We cite the verse in Sefer Shemot (12:12), “Ve’abarti Be’retz Misrayim...
It was a week before Pesach, and my twelve- year-old granddaughter was in a class play. No matter how busy a bubby is, there is always time for a school performance. What I didn’t...
Afikoman For children, it is the highlight of the Passover Seder. Over the years they discovered that because the seder could not be concluded until this final piece of matzah is eaten, they could “steal” it in order to...
Tariffs and free trade. AI and the proliferation of technology. There are many issues of our day that remain complicated. But for each issue that is truly complex, there are issues, policies and perspectives that are presented as complicated...
Much ink has been spilled over the interpretations of the Passover Haggadah! The Haggadah is written in a way that raises numerous perplexities on various levels, containing contradictions and passages that seem inexplicable. Commentators have sought different explanations to clarify...
I’m engaged to wonderful woman, who shares the same values as I do, is caring, kind, and sensitive. We had a great vort, but as we begin talking about the wedding...
One of the most interesting customs of the Pesach seder is to “steal the afikoman.” Weeks before Pesach the children plan their afikoman present and where to hide the afikoman. What is the source of this custom? Is this custom...
When you eat matzah at the Pesach Seder, you have to eat matzah that you own. How much do you have to own it? The Gemara (Pesachim 38a) equates the mitzvos of eating matzah and of taking challah...
As part of the introductory section of Maggid – the main part of the seder, during which we talk about Yetziat Mitzrayim – the Haggadah teaches us, Vchol Hamarbeh Lesaper B’yetziat Mitzrayim Harei Zeh Meshubach. This means that...
We Are What We Do One of the perennial topics that come up at the Seder is the nature of the dialog between the Wise Son and his father in the Hagaddah narrative. The Wise Son asks his...