Shevi'i Shel Pesach

The Splitting of the Red Sea:

Rebbe Nachman taught: "Even if a person should fall to the lowest level, he must never assume that he is beyond hope."

Our forefathers found themselves in similar circumstances on the shores of Red Sea. Before them, the sea; behind them, the Egyptians; wild animals and wilderness on either side. In the worst possible situation they did not give up hope. They cried out to Hashem and were heard. Similarly, no matter how far one is from Hashem, there is still hope. Atik is the highest, most lofty spiritual level in existence (Etz Chaim, Sha'ar Atik).

It is from there that assistance comes to a person, even if he is to be found in the lowest levels. Thus, the miracle of splitting of the Red Sea can be summed up this way: even though all seems lost, there is still hope for a redemption (Likutey Moharan I, 21).

Reb Nosson teaches a further concept tied in with the splitting of the Red Sea is the breaking of haughtiness. Pharaoh said "Who is Hashem that I should listen to Him!" During this entire episode, Moshe Rabaynu tried to convince Pharaoh that Hashem rules the world and that He could destroy Pharaoh completely. However, the Egyptian ruler had declared himself a deity. Thus Pharaoh, like most people in a position of power, is characterized by arrogance and haughtiness. The splitting of the Red sea demonstrated how this arrogance could be completely broken. Moshe turned the sea bed into dry land. Earth is associated with the concept of modesty. Great rushing water, with it's powerful waves 'sure of it's strength and unchallenged power' is everything that a person views as the epitome of greatness. Yet, within a short period of time, Hashem destroyed the water's arrogance by changing it into dry earth. Thus the song that Moshe and the Jews sang when the red Sea split was one of praise to Hashem, for He is great and rules over all those who are arrogance and haughty (Likutey Halakhot, Orlah 4).

When the Jews left Egypt and came close to Hashem, they received great wealth. This is because wealth is rooted in the same source of holiness as the soul. However, there is one bad trait through which it is possible for a person to lose all his wealth. This trait is ANGER. When the opposing forces see that a person is about to receive wealth and blessings, they try to bring him to anger. CHeMaH, anger, creates a breach in his CHoMah, his protective wall, which is also his wealth (Likutey Moharan I,68).

It is forbidden to eat Chametz on Pesach, for chametz is the concept of anger. Chametz rises. Like arrogance and anger, it's blown up. Likewise, we must avoid exaggeration in our lifestyles. The way we live should not be arrogant and blown up. When the Red Sea split, the waters stood like a wall (chomah) for the Jews. Afterwards, the Jews were able to withstand any anger (chemah) and were permitted to have Chametz. This is why, after the Seventh Day of Pesach (in Israel, the eighth day outside of Israel) Chametz is permitted (Likutey Halakhot, Harsha'ah 4).

Chag Samayach! Reb Nati

Kimcha d'Pischa - Help the Poor for Passover

by Reb Nati at Yesh Ma L'Asot




When we say "Zeman Charusaynu", the time of our redemption has arrived on Passover, will others be able to say it as well? Unfortunately, some just aren't able to do so. In the past few years many have lost their jobs, lost their cars, lost their homes. Others, who were committed to learning Torah while being generously supported by Jewish communities from around the world have lost that support and find themselves struggling to enter a job market where even those with top skills are having trouble.

Now we're just two chassidim trying to do what we can for those around us in need. We operate with no overhead (beyond basic credit card charges to accept donations), no office, no secretary, no staff, no advertising. Every dollar / pound / euro / rubel / krona / etc that we raise goes direct to the needy. Since (to be honest) we're at the point of being needy ourselves, we can only rely on you to help us help others. (And if you want to help us too, the donation form [now] offers a place to designate some for us. And if not, that's ok too! We're asking for others, not for ourselves.)

Kimcha D'Pischa, Charity for the Poor to help with Passover Needs is a mitzvah required by every Jew. If you'd like to help us help those in need in Israel (and the needy in Israel are considered as the poor of your own city), please DONATE HERE...

Thank you and tizku l'mitzvot!