Each year as we approach the holiday of Passover, we feel a spiritual adrenaline pulsating in our hearts, minds and souls. Of all the Jewish holidays that stimulate us to perform mitzvot, none has the capacity to motivate us like Pesach. Not only is it the essence of our religion, it was the first holiday that we observed as a nation with a sense of oneness and cohesiveness. Prior to inception of Pesach we were but a ragtag group of tribes who were loosely aligned to one another. That was our fate as slaves in Egypt. However, once we were redeemed from bondage, we became forged into a unified and cohesive nation. This transformation would change our character forever. Now and forevermore, each Jew is responsible for the welfare of every other Jew.
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Passover became our springboard to receiving the Torah on Mt. Sinai. Without the redemption from Egyptian slavery, we never would have received the greatest gift the world has ever known. Only by the grace of G-d and His Divine intervention were we able to convert the miraculous into the marvelous, transform bitterness into sweetness and hopelessness into the ultimate joy of freedom and redemption. Therefore, it is incumbent upon each of us to remember the Exodus, not only once a year on Passover but each day of our lives. That is why when we recite the Shema twice daily, once in the morning and once at night we underscore the point that “I am the L-rd your G-d who took you out of the land of Egypt”.
For thousands of years, Jews make a concerted effort to sanctify every meal. Following a complete meal, traditional observant Jews always recite the grace after meals. Intrinsically, these prayers incorporate the reminder of the exodus from Egypt. This was not instituted by our Sages in any half hazard manner. G-d is never on the periphery. He must be at the core of our lives, even while participating in one of the most mundane of acts... eating.
On Passover, not only do we invite G-d to join our meals, we welcome Him into our sanctified community. We, in effect, become partners with the Almighty as we relive and reenact the Passover experience. This, in turn, effectively draws us closer to our Creator. May this Passsover inspire us to perform more mitzvot and increase our acts of loving kindness to others.
Best wishes for a Kosher and Zisen Pesach and Zi gezunt!!