Page 22 - HaMizrachi #8 Pesach

introduction Four Cups – Four Mothers
Rabbi Yishayahu Halevi Horowitz
Being in the Moment (The Shla HaKadosh)
Rabbi Johnny Solomon
Cup 1: Sarah Imeinu, who with Avraham
The focus of Seder night is our brought many people closer to G-d and
relationship with time – how we can use the Judaism. We make Kiddush on this cup and
present to reflect on the past to shape our say “Who chose us from every other people.”
future.
Cup 2: Rivka Imeinu, who reached great
To reach this state, it is necessary for us spiritual heights, despite coming from a
to be ‘in the moment’ of Seder night, or family of idol worshipers. On this cup we
recite the Haggadah passages dealing with
as Rav Soloveitchik explains, ‘to connect Lavan (Rivka's father) and Ya’akov.
retrospection with anticipation, memory with
expectation, hind view with foresight, one Cup 3: Rachel Imeinu. We pour it at the end
must cherish the present fleeting moment as of the meal and say Birkat HaMazon. It was
if it represented eternity’ (Noraot HaRav Vol. 4 Yosef, Rachel's son, who provided food for the
pp. 153-4). whole of Egypt.
Cup 4: Leah Imeinu, who was the first to
By cherishing the moments of Seder night, we thank G-d when she gave birth to Yehuda:
can achieve true freedom by recognizing that “This time I will thank G-d” (Genesis 29:35).
the greatest gift we have at any moment… is
that very moment.

urchatz
So make sure that wherever you are for Seder
night, don’t just bring a present, but actually A Night of Possibility
be in the present, so that you cherish the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
moment of being with those you love, as if it “On Passover, Jews are commanded
represented eternity. to tell the story of the Exodus and to see
ourselves as having lived through that story,
so that we may better learn how to live our
lives today. The stories we tell our children
kadesh shape what they believe to be possible.”
Why is This Kiddush Different?
Rabbi Alex Israel
karpas
A slave’s time is not his own. He is at his Are We Really Free?
master's beck and call. Even when the slave Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon
has a pressing personal engagement, his
taskmaster’s needs will take priority. A child once complained to me, “I feel like
a slave on Seder night!”
In contrast, freedom is the control of our time.
“Do you work hard to prepare for the Seder?”
Kiddush says this out loud. We sanctify the I asked him.
day and define its meaning! We proclaim “No. I go on hikes with my friends.”
this day as significant, holy and meaningful.
We fashion time, claim ownership of it, and “So what’s so hard?” I replied.
fashion it as a potent contact point with “We eat a bite of karpas, and then we have to
G-d, peoplehood and tradition. This is a go hungry for ages until the meal! I really feel
quintessential act of Jewish freedom. like a slave!”

22 HaMizrachi Seder Companion