Page 37 - HaMizrachi #28 Pesach USA 2021

SEDER NIGHT PESACH READING

Rabbanit Dr. Tamar Meir

Happy Birthday!

few years ago, we were looking your blood, I said to you: ‘Live in spite had arrived.” He nurtures her as a bride,
for a special idea that would of your blood.’” and makes a covenant with her. This
c
a
A use our children to ask Ma magnificent metaphorical description of
Nishtana. Not just to recite the text The Haggadah does not connect the the relationship between Am Yisrael and
they’d learned by heart in advance, but word “numerous” to the verse in Sefer G-d comes at the heart of Seder Night.
to truly ask an authentic, curious ques- Shemot which was used to explain the The finale of the Exodus is the covenant
tion. To reach the place toward which words “great and powerful,” even though between Am Yisrael and G-d. The cove-
Ma Nishtana is actually directed: the the root ב ַ ר in its initial understanding nant of Mt Sinai, which is described in
curious gaze, the eyes open to the world. appears there, but rather chooses to different places as a chuppah and a wed-
It’s the look of a baby who sees rain for connect between the word ב ַ ר and the ding between Am Yisrael and G-d. But
the first time, or the toddler who sees a word ה ָ ב ָ ב ְ ר, and from there to drift to Seder Night is not a wedding day. We
lit chanukiah. The gaze which the Mish- the verses in Yechezkel 16. This isn’t an don’t see the beautiful, adorned bride.
associative word game, but an intrin-
nah describes when it states: “they pour sic chapter to this special night. This Seder Night is Am Yisrael’s birthday,
the second cup, and here, the child asks.” chapter describes the birth of the Jewish a night she is covered in blood – the
That year, which has since become our nation – happy birthday. blood of the korban Pesach is the blood
standard minhag, we brought a deco- of her birth. In the darkest times, she is
rated chocolate cake to the table and “As for your birth, when you were born seemingly an abandoned baby, who no
sang “happy birthday.” We responded your navel cord was not cut, and you one cares about, with no one to care for
to the children’s question of “but who’s were not bathed in water to smooth you; her. But exactly at this moment, the Hag-
birthday is it?” with a mysterious smile. you were not rubbed with salt, nor were gadah reminds us that G-d passes over
Wait, we told them. you swaddled. No one pitied you enough and sees her. Right now, it’s as if nothing
to do any one of these things for you out has changed – she is still an abandoned
We reached the answer at the climax of compassion for you; on the day you infant covered in blood. But really, on
of Maggid: in the derashot of the verses were born, you were left lying, rejected, this night – everything has changed,
of Arami oved avi, which the Hagga- in the open field. When I passed by you hakol hishtana.
dah expounds upon at length. “And he and saw you wallowing in your blood, I
’
became there a nation, great and pow- said to you: ‘Live in spite of your blood.… Happy birthday!
erful,” says the verse. The Haggadah When I passed by you [again] and saw
explains: that your time for love had arrived. So
I spread My robe over you and covered
“Great and powerful” – As it is stated your nakedness, and I entered into a cov-
(Shemot 1:7), “And the Children of enant with you by oath – declares the
Israel multiplied and swarmed and L-rd G-d; thus you became Mine.”
grew numerous (ּו ּ ב ְ רִּי ַ ו) and strong, most
exceedingly and the land became full This chapter describes Am Yisrael as
of them.” a baby abandoned at birth – she’s not
washed, she’s not diapered (an excit-
“And numerous (ב ַ ר)” – as it is stated ing window into childcare of ancient Rabbanit Dr. Tamar Meir is a researcher
(Yechezkel 16:7), “I have given you to times). She is covered in the blood of and lecturer, head of the Literature Depart-
ment in Michlelet Givat Washington, head
be numerous (ה ָ ב ָ ב ְ ר) as the vegetation of her birth. This is the blood that G-d sees, of the Women’s Bet Midrash in Givat
the field, and you increased and grew… and promises her: “through your blood Shmuel and a children’s writer.
your breasts were set and your hair grew, you shall live.” She grows up wild, but
but you were naked and barren. When I healthy and strong, until G-d returns A member of the Mizrachi Speakers Bureau
passed by you and saw you wallowing in and sees already that her “time for love mizrachi.org/speakers

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