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9 Nissan 5764 - March 31, 2004 | Mordecai Plaut, director

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OPINION & COMMENT

Light in an Increasingly Darkening World

The wicked son, we are told, would not have been redeemed from Mitzrayim, had he been there at the time. He would not have been worthy. But there were really many Yidden who were lost in Mitzrayim. Chazal say that 80 percent were killed during the plague of darkness because they were reshoim.

The Practical Lesson of Yetzias Mitzrayim: A Shmuess for the Seder Night
by HaRav Sholom Schwadron, zt'l

HaRav Sholom's son, HaRav Yitzchok, told us that this shmuess was the focus of his father's main Pesach Torah, that he repeated to the family every year at their Seder.

Understanding Leil HaSeder

HaRav Shimshon Pincus zt"l was killed, along with his wife and daughter, in a tragic car accident on the 12th of Nisan, 5761. In addition to being the rov of the kehilla of Ofakim, Israel, HaRav Pincus lectured and participated in seminars throughout the world. The following article is taken from a taped lecture "Leil HaSeder" that he delivered in the U.S. before Pesach 5760.

Bondage and Redemption as One Unit: Understanding the Foundation of the Jewish Nation
by Rav Zeev Leff

In order to fully appreciate the redemption, one must first understand the purpose of our bondage in Egypt. The following analogy can help illustrate why this is so. Someone attacks a person and breaks his legs. The attacker then explains to him that he is an orthopedic surgeon and he will set his legs and heal him, and in six months he will be walking again as if nothing happened.

A Torah, Not a Template
by Rabbi Avi Shafran

Contrary to what some assume, no inclination or orientation is condemned by the Torah. It is Jewishly axiomatic that only acts and willful attitudes (like nurturing improper desires) can be prohibited, never innate proclivities. But there are acts, however, that the Torah clearly regards as immoral -- regardless of the actors' inclinations or self-definition.

Pesach: Points to Ponder
by HaRav Chaim Charlap

Sweating Over Baking Matzos -- An Effective Remedy

The Shulchan Oruch (Orach Chaim 460:2) states that the Rosh would attend personally to the baking of matzos. He would stand over their preparation, spur on those who worked the dough, and assist with the rolling of the matzoh. The Shulchan Oruch concludes: "This is how everyone should act. He should apply himself personally to the mitzvah."

What's Happening Here? -- A Look at the Pesach Haggodoh
by Rabbi Yitzchok Boruch Fishel

Rav Yitzchok Maltzen zt'l, best known as the author of Siddur HaGra: Ishei Yisroel, also wrote a very wonderful commentary on the Haggodoh called Maggid Tzedek.

Searching Within: Understanding the Mitzvah of Bedikas Chometz
by Rabbi Daniel Yaakov Travis

Home Repair

"The neshomoh of a person is the candle of Hashem; it [the neshomoh] searches all of the inner chambers of a man's heart (Mishlei 20:27). From this verse the gemora learns that on the night of erev Pesach, every Jew is required to search the rooms of his home for chometz (Pesochim 7b).

Halachic Questions and Answers about Pesach
by HaRav Eliezer Halevy Dunner

Member of the Beis Din of Shearis Yisroel

Rov of Khal Adas Yisroel, Bnei Brak, Israel

Click here for the hebrew version.

Yishmoel is Chesed Deklippah

To the Editor:

Nothing exemplifies the chesed deklippah of Yishmoel more than the Erez Crossing bombing in Aza three months ago, where a female homicide bomber pleaded for mercy and then blew up the very Jews offering her mercy.

Politica: Shas and Sharon Drawing Closer?
By E. Rauchberger

Last week Ariel Sharon reached what every Prime Minister with coalition trouble yearns for: a recess. For one month he won't have to wheedle for votes or deal with rebellious MKs, threats and no-confidence votes.

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