| Passover Seder Blessings
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| | Baruch Atah Adoshem, Elokanu Melech ha Olam, asher kiddishanu b'mitzvotov vitzevanu l'hadlik ner shel Yom Tov.
I praise G!d, who is Lord and Ruler over all, for teaching us the commandment of greeting this Festival by the lighting of candles.
Baruch Atah Adoshem, Elokanu Melech ha Olam, ha motzi lechem min ha eretz.
I praise HaShem, who is Lord and Ruler over all, for bringing forth bread from the earth.
Baruch Atah Adoshem, Elokanu Melech ha Olam, asher kiddishanu b'mitzvotov vitzevanu al akelat matzah.
I praise HaShem, who is Lord and Ruler over all, for teaching us the commandment of eating matza.
Baruch Atah Adoshem, Elokanu Melech ha Olam, asher kiddishanu b'mitzvotov vitzevanu al akelat moror.
I praise HaShem, who is Lord and Ruler over all, for teaching us the commandment of eating bitter herbs.
|  | Passover
Four Questions
| |
To help get the children involved in the Seder, questions were designed to be asked of the leader of the Seder. Most of the time it is the youngest child present who asks the questions, if no children are present at the Seder, then anyone can ask.
| | Introductory
Question:
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Ma nishtana ha-laila ha-zeh mi-kol ha-lelot?
Why is this night different from all other nights?
| | First Question:
| | |
She-be-chol ha-lelot anu ochlin chametz u-matza, ha-laila ha-zeh kulo matza?
Why is it that on all other nights during the year we eat either bread or matza, but on this night we eat matza?
| | Second Question:
| | |
She-be-chol ha-lelot anu ochlin she-ar yetajit, ha-laila ha-zeh moror?
Why is it that on all other nights we eat all kinds of vegetables, but on this night we eat bitter herbs?
| | Third Question:
| | |
She-be-chol ha-lelot en anu matbilin afilu pa'am echat, ha-laila ha-zeh shetay fe'amim?
Why is it on all other nights we do not dip even once, but on this night we dip twice?
| | Fourth Question:
| | |
She-be-chol ha-lelot anu ochlin bayn yoshvin u-vayn mseubin, ha-laila ha-zeh kelanu mesubin?
Why is it that on all other nights we eat either sitting or reclining, but on this night we eat in a reclining position?
Did you know that in the Talmud Bavli Pesachim this question about reclining was originally "why we only eat roasted lamb on Passover?" It was replaced when the Temple was destroyed and Hebrews and Jews could no longer have the Pascal Lamb sacrifice to eat. When the modern seder was developed after the Temple was destroyed in 70 C.E., it was modeled after a Greek symposium meal, with rich folks reclining while they ate.
| Click Here to Order Rabbi Arthur Segal's Books:
The Handbook to Jewish Spiritual Renewal:
A Path of Transformation for the Modern Jew
A Spiritual and Ethical Compendium to the
Torah and Talmud
| | | | Preparing for Passover
A Holiday Message From Rabbi Arthur Segal's Jewish Spiritual Renewal March 2010
| | Shalom Dear Talmidim, Chaverim, and Rabbanim:
Passover begins at sundown March 29 and ends at sundown April 6. It has been written that even the most secular Jews will attend a Passover Seder (organized ritual meal). In January we learned of one of the four Jewish New Years, the one for trees. Passover falls on the 15th of the month of Nissan, and is linked with another Jewish New Year: the anniversary of the Hebrews becoming an independent nation after redemption from slavery in Egypt.
| | Passover's Universal Lessons
Passover gives us many universal lessons. For example, the right to religious freedom and a homeland of their own for all peoples. Also, the rabbis announce that, ''all who are hungry, let them come and eat.''
The Talmudic rabbis are not just talking about food or the Seder. They teach us that we need to be available every day with loving kindness. Exclusiveness and cliquishness are not Judaic qualities. | | |  | | Avoid the Puffery
The rabbis teach that we put ourselves into bondage with ego and narrowness...our Mitzraim (Egypt). Most people are enslaved with ego and all of the behaviors that stem from it. Passover teaches us to rid ourselves of chometz (leavening).
Chometz makes bread puff up, and the rabbis equate this with ego. "Leaven represents the evil impulse of the heart," says Talmud Bavli Tractate Beracoth 17a. We must get ego out of our lives. We should strive to be as humble as a flat piece of unleavened matzah (Talmud Bavli Tractate Pesachim) to truly have freedom.
In fact the whole spiritual context of the Talmudic Tractate of Pesachim (Passover) is about Jewish Spiritual Renewal. Biblically there is a second Passover, a month from the first, which allows the ritually impure to accept the Hebraic Pascal offering. The Rabbis say this proves that G!d is always giving us second chances to change from our egotistical selves doing our will, to spiritual folks doing His will. "He and I cannot dwell in the same world," says the Talmud Sotah 5a, quoting G!d speaking about the egocentric person.
| | | | | Spiritual Schizophrenia
Even the Four Sons in the Hagaddah, the Passover telling of the Exodus, are said to be just one person. They are the wise, the evil, and the simple sons, and the son who doesn't even know how to ask a question.
Today we would call it spiritual schizophrenia. The four actually represent different aspects of the same person who is not integrated. We are all like this before becoming Spiritually Renewed. We pray to G!d, calling Him "Oseh Shalom" (Maker of Peace) and then manage to become the cause of discord.
The Talmud tells us that our Yetzer ha Ra, our impulse to do our will, and not G!d's will, never leaves us. Good is not the absence of Bad. One can be righteous and wise while the evil inclination persists in trying to dominate him. Passover's story of the four sons is a lesson in becoming integrated and not being spiritually detached.
| | | | | | Can You Be Available Every Day with Loving Kindness as the Rabbis Teach?
Jewish Spiritual Renewal Shows the Way.
 My book, The Handbook to Jewish Spiritual Renewal: A Path of Transformation for the Modern Jew, teaches you how to transform your life into one that is happier, more peaceful, and more spiritual, regardless of what is going on in the world around you.
In this book, I distill the teachings of our sages and rabbis that have been passed along for thousands of years, along with lessons from the Torah and the Talmud.
But unlike other Jewish spiritual texts that you may have read, or sermons you may have heard, this book presents these lessons in a concise, easy-to-read, easy-to-follow life transformation process that you can follow step-by-step at your own pace.
You will learn:
- That "normative" Judaism as you have known it throughout your life is not really Judaism at all, why it may leave you uninspired, and how spiritual renewal will help you recapture that inspiration (Chapter 1).
- That your ego is your own worst enemy, and how to win the battle against it (Chapter 2).
- How to stop struggling for control over things you cannot control, and be happier because of it (Chapter 3).
- How spiritual renewal conquers the fears and character flaws that are holding you back in life (Chapters 4 and 5).
- To actually get rid of your character flaws forever (Chapter 6).
- How to turn negative relationships in your life positive
(Chapter 7). - How simple it is to make prayer a regular part of your days...without going back to Hebrew school (Chapter 8).
- How to find peace of mind through meditation (Chapter 9).
- How to simplify life's toughest decisions (Chapter 10).
- How spiritual renewal transforms you into the best individual you can be, and how to stay on track (Chapter 11).
- How to celebrate the Sabbath and the Jewish Holidays with meaning (Chapters 12 and 13).
- How to live with happiness, joy, and freedom every day of your life (Chapter 14).
The Handbook to Jewish Spiritual Renewal: A Path of Transformation for the Modern Jew makes a wonderful gift for Passover. It is only $19.99 (plus S&H) when you purchase your copy from Rabbi Arthur Segal's online bookstore. That's $5.00 off the Amazon price.
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| | | | | Did You Know...
...that King Solomon's Song of Songs is read during Passover and the recipe for Charoset is included in this book of the TaNaK?
| May G!d bless all of us with a Jewish Spiritually Renewed Passover.
Many Blessings,
Rabbi Arthur Segal
| | | | | | The Universal Lessons of Passover...
...and Beyond.
In my years of Rabbinic Counseling I've noticed that many modern Jews are not as familiar with the Torah and the Talmud as they might be.
They find it difficult to understand and interpret in a way that makes sense and has relevance to their lives in the modern world.
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This book instills Jewish values and an understanding of the Torah and Talmud's teachings in plain English and from a modern point of view.
The Talmud teaches that the Torah is about loving our fellow man and that we are to ''go and study.'' The rest is commentary.
A Spiritual and Ethical Compendium to the Torah and Talmud clarifies the commentary and allows one to study the Torah and the Talmud to learn the Judaic ideals of love, forgiveness, kindness, mercy and peace.
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