Erev Shabbat Jewish Blogging

[gnomi]

This week, Pre-Pesach Pondering

In Devarim (Deuteronomy)16:3, B'nei Yisrael (the Children of Israel) are commanded to remember Yetziat Mitzrayim (the Exodus from Egypt) "all the days of your life." During the Seder, two opinions are brought about the interpretation of this phrase:

-- Rabbi Elazar ben Azaria says in the name of Ben Zoma that it means that we should remember Yetziat Mitzrayim at night (as well as in the daytime). And we do so, saying the Shema in both Shacharit (the morning prayers) and Ma'ariv (the evening prayers).

-- The Chachamim (usually translated as "The Sages") say it means we should remember Yetziat Mitzrayim in this life, and in the world to come.

Hashem takes us out of Egypt to be His nation, as we are told in Shemot (Exodus) 6:7:

I will take you to Myself as a nation, and I will be to you as a God. You will know that I am God your Lord, the One who is bringing you out from under the Egyptian subjugation.

(translation from Navigating the Bible II)

It is Yetziat Mitzrayim that made us a people, and it is, to a large extent, Pesach that keeps many people connected to the Jewish people. There are many people who do not observe any other Jewish holiday but who observe Pesach, by attending a seder, or eating matzah for the week, or observing other aspects of the holiday.

And on that, an administrative note. I will not be doing Erev Shabbat Jewish Blogging next week, as it is Yom Tov and I will not be online.

Shabbat shalom!

Comments

[byrne.livejournal.com]

I love these posts. Thank you.

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm so glad. I enjoy doing them.

[csbermack.livejournal.com]

http://tober.livejournal.com/18866.html

Any idea where you can still get Barton's Kisses?

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

I'd have them try the Butcherie, on Harvard St. I think they had them last time I was in there (which was Wednesday of last week).

[csbermack.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :)