From The Rabbi’s Study… Shabbat, April 19, 2024/ 11 Nisan5784
Torah Summary: Methods for purification of lepers, and the appearance and treatment for fungus or mildew in the home. Ritual impurity resulting from contact with the discharges from sex organs.
Shabbat HaGadol: This is the Sabbath preceding the festival of Passover. The reading is designed as the Great Sabbath (Shabbat HaGadol) in the commemoration of the great miracle that occurred on the Sabbath preceding the exodus from Egypt. It is based on the tradition that when G-d ordered the Israelites to prepare lambs on the tenth of Nisan for the paschal offering, the Egyptians were paralyzed with fear and could not prevent them from doing so, even though the lamb was an Egyptian deity.
The Haftarah is taken from the Book of Malachi, who was preaching to a despondent generation. The Temple has now been rebuilt, but Malachai is not satisfied with the faith of the Israelites. Malachai was waiting for the Israelites to mature their religious ways to have a complete redemption. Only then will Elijah the prophet appear and announce the Messiah and the Messianic Era will begin.
Because Elijah was traditionally regarded as the messenger who would appear at Passover time, and announce the coming of the Messiah, this Haftarah, with its Elijah as reference, was chosen to be read on the Sabbath immediately preceding Passover.
As one can see that there is efficiency in cleaning, purifying not only others but ourselves before Passover. Each of us prepare to clean our homes of Chametz/Leaven, and prepare ourselves for our freedom from Egyptian bondage. Yes, even today, Jews remember and commemorate the Exodus story. This was a moment in time of the Revelation from Mount Sinai to Moses, and Moses to the Israelites for generations to come. The Haggadah means the “The Telling” of the whole exodus story through symbolism and factual historical facts.
Moses existed and received the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, it was Pharaoh Ramses II that was the ruler of Egypt, and the timeframe was 400 years after Joseph! Today, some people even question this event of the Jewish people ever happening! This is one of the many reasons why Passover is the most celebrated festival of the Jewish people. Each Jewish person and family have unique beautiful traditions that make their sederai (plural of Seder) as unique as they are!
Shabbat Shalom v’A Zissen Pesach v’Am Ysrael CHai,
Rabbi Helene Ainbinder
