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Courage Riches & Matzah-Balls
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Splitting the Red Sea, walking on dry land, trees miraculously appearing, drowning Egyptian murderers, Jews inheriting the Egyptian riches, are all part of a speculator highlight of Jewish history and heritage. It all happened over 3300 years ago on the 7th day of Passover. As the Egyptians regretted freeing the Jews from slavery. Boxing in the Jew. No where to run. The Jew was trapped between the powerful Egyptian army and the Red Sea. No escape route
Four opinions and camps arise in perhaps our first national Jewish debate: War. Surender. Throw themselves into the sea. Prayer. The Jews are commanded: Keep moving. The courageous prince of the tribe of Judah, Nachshon Ben Aminodov, fearlessly jumps into the sea. The waters begin to threaten his life
G-d says to Moses: Moshe raise your staff and split the sea! Suddenly as millions of Jews are eye witnesses, the sea splits. The impossible happens. The Jews triumph. The cruel Egyptians in hot pursuit drown. The Jews inherit the Egyptian riches. Moses with the men. His sister Miriam with the women, sing songs of praise to our father in heaven Thanksgiving for our miraculous survival. Till this very day, in our daily morning prayers, the Jew recites the beautiful poetic words of those songs of praise. We don’t forget the kindness bestowed upon our Jewish family and nation. We are not narcissistic, arrogant and selfish. We humbly give credit and appreciation. It’s the Jewish way
This Friday, April 26, the 7th day of Passover, Jews around the world will commemorate these miracles. Share them with the young generation. Tell them their illustrious heritage. Inspire our people with love, admiration and pride. Jews of diaspora have a bonus day. Shabbat April 28. The 8th day. To celebrate, cherish and rejoice. It’s part of the secret of Jewish continuity
3 messages of the Rebbe:
1) When you think it’s all over. All is lost. You just feel like giving up. When you feel your infinite divine gift is not to be found. Remember: the Jew never gives up. We march forward. Even facing a seemingly insurmountable “sea”. Because precisely at that moment, as you demonstrate your faith and courage, G-d responds in kind. The sea splits. Not only do you survive. You thrive. You inherit the riches which were hidden. Don’t be afraid. You are never alone. The greater the “sea” the greater the miracle. That’s the Jewish response to challenges. Try it. It works
2) The underwater world of the sea is concealed to the eye when looking from above. The sea is “concealment”. When we courageously jump in, we discover a new reality. A reality which was always there. It’s just that we now revealed it. It’s “revelation” of the hidden treasures. Life in Judaism is about splitting the sea. Revealing the concealed. At the moment of creation G-d hid and concealed the intrinsic holiness and goodness of the world. We are all leaders who were chosen, handpicked to uncover and reveal. To courageously jump in. Because we know with absolute trust in our father in heaven that he will catch us as we jump. He will split the sea. Because that’s what a loving father does for his children. So don’t be afraid. Jump. G-d is waiting to perform for you the miracle you have been waiting for
3) Chabad custom is to not mix Matzah and water during the first 7 days of Passover. Lest there be even one particle of unbaked flour which can rise into leavened bread. Chametz. The 8th day we make every effort to mix Matzah and water. Matzah-Balls, Kneidlach etc. revealing the good within the previously concealed. Jews of diaspora read on the 8th day in Synagogues around the world the famous beautiful prophecy of the prophet Isaiah. “And a wolf shall live with a lamb, and a leopard shall lie with a kid; and a calf and a lion cub and a fatling [shall lie] together, and a small child shall lead them”. The biblical description of the times of Moshiach. A world healed of sickness, war, jealousy. Universal peace and harmony. As Maimonides concludes his magnum opus “for the world will be filled with knowledge of G-d like waters cover the sea. On this special 8th day, we are empowered to split the “sea”. Whatever your sea may seem to be. We reveal the hidden treasures. A world of hope, happiness and celebration
The Baal Shemtov instituted the Meal Of Moshiach. On the 8th day of Passover. The Rebbe encourages us to drink four cups of wine at this special meal. We are ready to uncover the treasures
As the Rebbe responded to a TV reporter “Moshiach is ready to come now. It is only on our part to do something additional in the realm of goodness and kindness”
Together lets split the “sea”. Celebrate, dance and rejoice. Lchayim
Rabbi Velvl Butman
Chabad Lubavitch Of Westchester County
Email: chabadofwestchester@gmail.com