Today, 10 Nissan, in the year 2449, the Jews in Egypt selected lambs for their Pesach sacrifice.
Forty years later, on 10 Nissan, the prophetess Miriam - sister of Aaron and Moshe - died.
A year later on 10 Nissan, the Jews crossed the Jordan river, as recorded in Joshua 3-4.
The Jews in Egypt were commanded to take home a lamb for their pre-Exodus Seder on 10 Nissan, four days before it was going to be sacrificed.
It was a miracle that the Egyptians didn't harm the Jews when they did this, since lambs were considered sacred objects in Egypt.
Since we left Egypt on Thursday 15 Nissan, this miracle happened on a Shabbat. To commemorate this miracle, the Shabbat before Pesach is called Shabbat Hagadol - the Great Shabbat - and a special Haftarah is read; the last chapter in Malachi which predicts the future redemption, may we merit it in our days.
The custom is to read the narrative section of the Haggada - from Avadim Hayinu (we were slaves) until (but not including) Rabban Gamliel's admonition to say "Pesach, Matza and Marror" - at Mincha on Shabbat Hagadol.
Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 430
Shabbat Shalom
- Danny
Thursday, 10 Nissan 5777
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Halocho #1806 - What's great about Shabbat Hagadol?
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Halocho #788 - The great Shabbat Hagadol
Today, 10 Nissan, in the year 2449, the Jews in Egypt selected lambs for their Pessach sacrifice.
Forty years later, on 10 Nissan, the prophetess Miriam - sister of Aaron and Moshe - died.
A year later on 10 Nissan, the Jews crossed the Jordan river, as recorded in Joshua 3-4.
The Jews in Egypt were commanded to take home a lamb for their pre-Exodus Seder on 10 Nissan, four days before it was going to be sacrificed.
It was a miracle that the Egyptians didn't harm the Jews when they did this, since lambs were considered sacred objects in Egypt.
Since we left Egypt on Thursday 15 Nissan, this miracle happened on a Shabbat. To commemorate this miracle, the Shabbat before Pessach is called Shabbat Hagadol - the Great Shabbat - and a special Haftara is read; the last chapter in Malachi which predicts the future redemption, may we merit it in our days.
The custom is to read the narrative section of the Haggada - from Avadim Hayinu (we were slaves) until (but not including) Rabban Gamliel's admonition to say "Pesach, Matza and Marror" - at Mincha on Shabbat Hagadol.
Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 430
Shabbat Shalom
- Danny
Thursday, 10 Nissan 5770
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Halocho #422 - What to bring into the Sukka
The Torah command us to live in the Sukka for the duration of Sukkoth. 7 days in Eretz Yisrael, 8 days in the Diaspora.
One should move into the Sukka and bring along ones creature comforts; ones comfortable chairs and favorite dishes.
The Mitzvah of Sukka is one of the few where the Torah explicitly gives us a reason to accompany the Mitzvah: Sit in the Sukka for seven days in order that your descendants should be aware that the Yidden dwelled in Sukkoth during their journey out of Egypt.
Sukkoth could be referring to the Clouds of Glory that surrounded and protected the entire Jewish encampment (as per R' Eliezer) or actual Sukkah-huts that individual families lived in (as per R' Akiva).
One should keep these "reasons" in mind when fulfilling the Mitzvah of Sukka.
One should treat the Sukka with respect and not bring in items one wouldn't tolerate at a Shabbat table.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 135:1, 2
- Danny
Wednesday, 12 Tishrei 5770
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Halocho #379- Why do we fast on Thursday?
Thursday is the fast of 9 B'Av which commemorates 5 tragedies that befell the Jewish people on that date:
- It was decreed that the generation which left Egypt would remain in the desert for 40 years and not enter the land of Israel, after believing the inaccurate report of 10 of the 12 spies in the year 2449.
- The first Bet Hamikdash (Holy Temple) was destroyed on 9 B'Av in the year 3339.
- The second Bet Hamikdash (Holy Temple) was destroyed on 9 B'Av about 1948 years ago.
- The city of Betar was captured and tens of thousands of Jews were killed in the year 3893.
- The wicked Turnus Rufus plowed the site of the Bet Hamikdash and its surroundings and renamed it Aelia Capitolina, also in the year 3893.
Since these tragedies occurred on 9 B'Av, it was decreed as a day of fasting and mourning.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 121:5
Other tragedies that happened on 9 B'Av:
- 4,000 Jews were expelled from England by King Edward I in the year 5050 (18 July 1290)
- 300,000 Jews were expelled from Spain by Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon in the year 5252 (2 August 1492)
- Word War 1 started in 5674 - 1 August 1914 - with Germany declaring war on Russia
- Danny Tuesday, 7 Av 5769
Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Halocho #301 - Why do the firstborns fast?
Why don't firstborns celebrate the fact that they were saved from the 10th plague - the smiting of Egyptian firstborns?
On Erev Pessach - Wednesday next week - all firstborns will fast in memory of them fasting in Egypt on Erev Pessach, to ensure they wouldn't be punished along with the Egyptians in the 10th plague.
The Hallel said at the Seder includes praise for their delivery.
All firstborn males fast; even if they're only a firstborn to one of their parents.
Even firstborns who are exempt from Pidyon haBen - like Cohanim, Levites or being born after a stillborn - also have to fast.
The father of a young firstborn needs to fast for him.
Whether a firstborn (or his father) may attend a Se'udat Mitzva like a Siyum, Bris or Pidyon haBen and break his fast to participate in the meal, depends on local / family custom.
After breaking his fast, he can eat the rest of the day.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 113:6, 115:2
- Danny Tuesday, 6 Nissan 5769
Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Halocho #148 - What is the first commandment?
Yesterday's Torah Reading included the repetition of the 10 Commandments. The first of the Ten Commandments is to believe that "I am the Hashem your G-d, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage". Included in this Mitzva is the requirement to believe that Hashem exists and that He created everything and continues to will it into existence. Included in this Mitzva is the belief that Hashem took us out of Egypt; it wasn't a "lucky break". He continues to control everything that happens, everywhere. Included in this Mitzva is the requirement to state that one believes in Hashem, even at the risk of getting killed. This is one of the "perpetual" Mitzvot; whenever one thinks about any of the above, one fulfills this Mitzva. Source: Sefer Hachinuch, Mitzva 25. - Danny Sunday, 16 Av 5768
