Torah Commentary - Pesach
*Commentary courtesy of Menahem Me-Zahav
There are two reasons in choosing this special reading for Shabbat Chol Ha-Mo’ed Pessach.
The first reason is also the more obvious one. It can be found in the following Passuk: “You shall observe the Holiday of the Matzot (Pessach), For seven days you shall eat Matzot” (Exodus 34:18). The Holiday of Pessach is also known as “Chag Ha’Matzot, Chag Ha’Aviv (The Holiday of the Spring) and Chag Ha’Cherut (The Holiday of Freedom).
A more compelling reason for having this Torah portion assigned for today, can be found in the following: It is the aftermath of the Golden Calf horrible experience. The Israelites have turned their back onto God and as a result - 3,000 people lost their lives. It left a bitter feeling and a terrible sense of estrangement that God has towards Israel. God furiously threatens to annihilate the Jewish people and make Moses the new father of Israel.
Moses pleads for God’s forgiveness. He brings up a compelling reason for God not to carry out His threat: “Why would You (God) let the Egyptians claim that You (God) took them (Israel) out of Egypt with evil intentions, to kill them in the mountains (of Sinai)” Exodus 32:12.
God responds to Moses’ argument on Israel’s behalf (Just mentioned) and- God fully forgives.
The Thirteen Attributes of God’s Mercy – The Shlosh Esrei Middot
To reaffirm His complete forgiveness, God instructs Moses to carve another set of Stone Tablets to replace the first ones, which Moses has broken on seeing the Golden Calf. God promises to re-write the 10 commandments on the New Tablets. Moses carves the Tablets and ascends with them onto Mount Sinai. At that time Moses accomplishes the desire of a lifetime – he gets to observe a (partial) view of God Himself. In a quest for a total forgiveness, Moses pronounces God’s 13 Attributes of Mercy - “The Shlosh Esrei Middot”. “And the Lord passed by before him and he (Moses) proclaimed: “The Lord, The Lord, God, Merciful, Gracious, Abundant in Goodness and Truth, Keeps his grace for thousand generations, Forgives inequity, transgression and sin, postpones punishment to the children’s, to the grandchildren’s, to the 3rd and to the 4th generation” In hope for repentance (Exodus 34:6-7).
God’s Thirteen Attributes of Mercy - “The Shlosh Esrei Middot” are an important part of our Yom Kippur liturgy. In some communities they are also part of the daily Shacharit prayer.
The three Holidays
We find that not only does God forgive but He also fully renews His covenant with Israel. Israel, in turn, must reject all idolatry and always lead its special sacred way of life. They must observe the Shabbat and the 3 Holidays Pessach, Shavuot and Sukkot. Moses’ above argument, where he uses the Exodus from Egypt to save the Jewish people’s lives, is a central part of today’s reading. It is therefore most appropriate to read it today in the midst of the Holiday of Pessach that is centered on celebrating the Exodus from Egypt.
Haftarah: Ezekiel 37:1-14. The Prophecy of the Dry Bones - Chazon HaAtzamot HaYeveishot.
Ezekiel was among the prominent Jews who were forcibly brought to Babylonia, in what became to be known as “The exile of King Yehoyachin” (598 BCE). 12 years later, the Kingdom of Judah, its capital Jerusalem and the Holy Temple were destroyed (586 BCE) and most of the Jewish people were exiled. They joined the ones already in Babylonia. The Jewish exiles were close to desperation: Has God deserted them? Will the Babylonians rule the world forever? What hope was there, for a return to their homeland?
Ezekiel preached hope. Hope that God will restore them to their land. Hope that the Temple will be rebuilt and hope that the covenant with God will soon be renewed. In our Haftarah Ezekiel tells his fellow Jews that redemption from exile is soon to come. Ezekiel uses allegory, to avoid antagonizing the Babylonians.
The Valley of the Dry Bones
He tells that, God took him out of his home, and placed him in the midst of a valley filled with mountains of dry bones. The dry bones seem to represent remains of Jewish victims of past wars (Since Ezekiel refers to them as ’The Slain People’).
“And He (God) said …‘Can these bones live?' And I answered: O God You know” (Ezekiel 37:3).
God restores the bones together, covers them with flesh and finally breathes life into them. “And I (Ezekiel) saw Veins and Flesh come up upon them, and Skin covered them above” (37:8). “…And the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, a very great army” (37:10).
What does it all mean?
God, now explains Ezekiel the meaning of his prophecy: “And He (God) told me (To Ezekiel): These bones are the whole house of Israel, And I (God) will lift you out of your graves - my people, and I will bring you to the land of Israel…And I will put my spirit into you, and you shall live again. And I will re-settle you in your own land. And you shall know that I the Lord have spoken” (37:12 &14).
…And it became a reality.
Ezekiel’s breathtaking prophetic vision, helps reinforce the national aspiration of the Jewish exiles in Babylonia. Redemption will soon be coming. Israel will be reestablished in its own land
The end of the Babylonian exile became a reality, after King Cyrus (Koresh) of Persia defeated the Babylonians (538 BCE). As predicted by Ezekiel, King Cyrus soon issued his famous proclamation that God has instructed him (Cyrus) to arrange for the Jewish people to return to their homeland, and rebuild His (God’s) Temple in Jerusalem (II Chronicles, 36: 22:23).
The linkage to our holiday is a traditional belief that a Messianic Resurrection will occur during the holiday of Pessach.
Torah Reading for Monday - 7th day of Pessach - Shirat Ha’Yam, Exodus 13:17 – 15:26, PG 399
Our Torah reading is taken from the Sidrah of Be’Shalach. The Sidrah itself is named after its 1st Passuk: “Va’yehi Beshallach Par’oh et Ha’am - And it happened that when Pharaoh let go the people (Israel)” – God did not direct them through the Philistinian country (a true short-cut to the Promised Land)”. Knowing that the multitude of free slaves is not prepared yet, to enter the Promised Land, God made them wander through the desert. We know today that the harsh life in the desert was actually needed. It shaped them into a free nation, it strengthened their will to survive, and finally it also convinced them that they deserve their own land.
Pharaoh soon regrets his decision to let the Jewish slaves leave Egypt. It is unbecoming a Pharaoh to acknowledge the superiority of God. He orders his entire army to pursue the Israelites, overpower them and return them as slaves back to Egypt. The Israelites are headed towards the Red Sea. They are much slower than the highly ‘mechanized’ Egyptian army. 3 days pass and the Israelites while camping on the bank of the Red Sea, notice the pursuing Egyptian army closing in on them. They panic, cry out and complain to Moses. They accuse him that by taking them out of Egypt he caused them to be soon slaughtered in the desert. Moses, who never loses his deep faith in God, reassures them that God will undoubtedly save them. Moses is told by God to point his “Matteh” (Walking Stick) towards the sea. The sea opens up creating a wall of water on either side, with a dry pathway in between. The Israelites walk through. As soon as the Israelites complete their crossing - the Egyptians, in hot pursuit, arrive at the sea and enter the pathway in the water. Moses again points his “Matteh” towards the sea. The sea returns to its original state, drowning the entire Egyptian army in its stormy waters.
The Israelites, on the occasion of the miraculous victory, offer a Song full of praises and thanksgivings to God. It is named “The Song of the Sea - Shirat Ha’yam”. “I am singing to God for he has gloriously exalted, He has hurled horse and rider into the sea” (Exodus 15:1).
The Song of the Sea is being chanted by us in our Shacharit prayer every day of the year. It is customary to stand up while Shirat Ha’yam is being chanted, either as part of the Torah Reading, or as part of the Shacharit Prayer.
Miriam, The Prophetess
Miriam, the sister to Moses and Aaron, rises to the occasion. She heads all the women in celebration of the great miracle and thereby glorifying God Almighty.
”And Miriam, The Prophetess, sister of Aaron, a drum in her hand and all the women following her, in singing and dancing. And Miriam proclaimed: Sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously, He has hurled horse and rider into the sea” (Exodus 15:20-21).
The legend of Nachson Ben Aminadav.
According to Midrash the Israelites anxious to save themselves from the pursuing Egyptian army were impatiently urging each other to jump first into the sea. As no one seemed to move, the young Nachshon fearlessly plunged into the water, demonstrating his full trust in God. The sea opened up and all walked through. Nachshon, the brother-in-law to Aaron, later assumed the position of head to his tribe Judah. His 5th generation descendant, was King David.
The name Nachshon became synonymous in Jewish folklore, to voluntarism and self-sacrifice.
In Israel’s War of Independence, the pivotal military operation to open up the road to the besieged Jerusalem - was named: “Mivzah Nachshon - Operation Nachshon” (1948).
Kibbutz Nachshon (West of Jerusalem) was named so by its founders (1950) in commemoration of the successful campaign to open up the road to Jerusalem, during Israel’s War of Independence (1948).
Haftarah for the 7-th day of Pessach II Samuel 22:1-51 – The Song of David Pages 1311-1314
Our Haftarah is known as “The Song of David” - its composer.
King David ruled over Israel for 40 years (1013-973 BCE). The son of Jessi (Yishai), a farmer from Bethlehem - Beit Lechem in Judea, he was chosen by God to become King instead of King Saul. David had to endure wars most of his life. King Saul, being jealous of young David, persecuted him until his (Saul’s) death. After becoming King, David had to fight Israel’s most dangerous enemies the Philistines, the Edomites, the Amonnites and the Moabites. After winning all his wars, David tried to settle down, with the hope for some tranquility in his life. Soon, not less than his own son Absalom - Avshalom, rebelled and ousted him from being king. David almost lost his life to Absalom. He escaped in the nick of time, and later returned to the throne in Jerusalem, where he then spent the remainder of his life in relative calm.
David’s greatest dream was the eventual building of the Temple in Jerusalem.
It was however rejected by God. David who spilled much blood (albeit, only enemies’ blood and only in wars that were forced by his enemies, upon him) disqualified himself from building the Temple that was to symbolize peace. It would be built years later, by his son King Solomon.
Traditionally, the Book of Psalms Te’hillim - was composed by David, whose own name also heads most of its chapters. Our Haftarah is taken from The Book of Samuel II. A full copy of the Haftarah - The Song of David, appears however, almost word by word (also) in the Book of Psalms - Te’hillim (Chapter 18).
King David is a legend in Jewish faith. His name is recited daily in our Shmoneh Essrei and the term “Messiah Son of David - Mashi’ach Ben David” is mentioned in many of our holiday prayers.
Our Haftarah – “The Song of David” was composed by him just before his death. It is a magnificent song of thanksgiving to God Almighty, for saving him from life threatening situations he was forced into, by his enemies. “Who is a Rock except God. The Lord, my Mighty Stronghold who kept my path secure… You have granted me Your Shield and Your Providence has made me great” (II Samuel, 22:32 & 36).
The linkage to the Torah reading is a Song that is full of Praises and Thanksgivings dedicated to God -
first by the Israelites who were saved from their Egyptian Enemies, and then by King David who was saved from his Life Long Enemies.
Torah Reading for Tuesday - Last (8th) day of Pessach. Deuteronomy 15:19 - 16:17 PG 1074
Our Torah reading is taken from the Sidrah of Re’eh. It deals with the followings:
Rules of assigning the 1st born (Kosher) Animals as Offering to the Holy Temple.
The animal should not do any work. It should be brought to the Temple. It will be consumed there, by the owner’s family (And shared also with the Kohanim, in same manner as Shelamim Offerings are usually been handled).
Pessach, Count of the Omer, Shavu’ot and Sukkot. Pessach is to be observed for 7 days. Chametz (Leavened Bread) should not be consumed on all 7 days. Matzot must be eaten on the 1st night (The Seder). At all other times Matzot are optional. The Pessach offering must be made in Jerusalem.
Seven weeks of the Omer are counted (Sefirah) between the 2nd day of Pessach and Shavu’ot. Fruit from the field should be brought to the Temple in Jerusalem on Shavuot. Finally, the Holiday of Sukkot is observed for 7 days. While Thanking God for the abundance of food, Joy should be felt during the Holiday.
Aliya Le’Regel – Pilgrimage to Jerusalem. On the Holidays of Pessach, Shavu’ot and Sukkot everyone will embark on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Jerusalem is located in one of the highest places in Israel. The pilgrimage is therefore named “Aliyah Le-regel - Ascent by foot”. Consequently, the 3 Holidays are named “Shloshet Ha’Regalim - The 3 Pilgrimages”.
The Torah’s desire for a Just Society (Deuteronomy 15: 7-11). There is an obligation to support the needy. However, according to the ‘law of remission’ all debts are void at the Shemitah (Year 7), making it hard at times to secure a loan to the poor during the 5th or 6th year. The Torah appeals therefore to the wealthy to ignore this logic, when lending to the poor - since “There will never cease to be needy people in your land” (15:11). A full millennium later a remedy to this problem was introduced by Hillel the Elder.
Hillel the Elder - Hillel Ha'Zaken (Circa 50 BCE) one of the greatest Talmudic leaders (Tanna’im) devised The Prusbul - a legal document that exempted loans from the ‘law of remission’. It protected the creditor against loss of his money at the Shemitah, and the needy against being refused a loan.
Ensuing Hillel’s innovative rule, another prohibition against charging interest on a loan, was discontinued as well (circa 1400 CE). Today, you can still spot a copy of a “Heter Isska - Permit to Conduct Business”, displayed in some Israeli banks, it is a religious approval for the charging of interest, on commercial loans.
Hillel the Elder, who lived some 2,000 years ago, left with his ingenuity, a remarkable innovative imprint,
on our modern society.
Haftarah for Tuesday the (8th) Last day of Pessach. Isaiah 10:32 - 12:6 (PGS 1316-1319)
The Prophet Isaiah was born in Jerusalem around 760 BCE. His prophecy extended for some 40
years. The Assyrian empire has just defeated the Aramean empire to become the dominant power
in the old world. The Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria) fell to the Assyrians (722 BCE) with the
exile of the 10 Tribes. Sometime later, Jerusalem itself went through an extremely difficult
siege by the Assyrian king Sennacherib (Sancheriv). The Jewish people were in great despair.
Our Haftarah starts with Isaiah’s promise that the great Assyrian army besieging Jerusalem is
destined to collapse. “And He (God) will chop the limbs of the tall ones (Assyria) and the lofty trees
will be reduced to become shallow” (Isaiah 10:33).
Isaiah then promises a new meaning, to the future celebration of the Holiday of Pessach.
It will mark, as in the past, a new exodus of the Jewish people from their lands of dispersion. They will return to their own land. “And on this day God will set His Hand again to recover the remnant of His people, from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Elam, Shinar, Hamath and the Isles of the (Mediterranean) Sea…And there will be a main path for His People as it was on the day when they left Egypt”
(Isaiah 11:11 & 16), hence also the linkage to Pessach.
Israel will not be the sole benefactor of this new Messianic Era. There will be peace, justice and recognition of God by all people of the world. “For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the water fills up the sea” (11:9).
Isaiah ends with the following: “Hinne El Yeshuati - Behold, God is my salvation whom I will trust
without fear, as the Lord is my strength and my Song, and He will become my salvation. With joy we
shall draw water out of the wells of salvation…Sing aloud O inhabitant of Zion, for Great is The Holy
One, in your midst” (12:2-3&6).
Part of the above, starts our Motzaei Shabbat Havdala.
