Rabbi's Sermons

Shabat Shalom!

This is the Shabbat right before Passover, it is called Shabbat Hagadol, which means “The great Shabbat”. Traditionally, the rabbi of the community in his sermon, deals with the laws of Passover. However, this time I will not go into details of the Halacha. Instead, I’d like to talk about the significance of this Shabbat. Since medieval times, this Shabbat has been something very special. Even a Ketuva, found in Ramle, Israel in an archaeological site, and dated from the tenth century, more than a thousand years ago, indicated the name of Shabbat Hagadol - the Great Shabbat. Therefore, there are academics who think, that even in times of the temple, this special day was called “Shabat Hagadol”. Even in the new testament, in the book of John 19, it is indicated precisely as such: "because that Shabbat day was Shabbat Hagadol". The 12^th century´s Machzor Vitri, asks this question: "Why was called this Shabbat, Shabbat Hagadol? In fact, this Shabbat is not more important than the other Shabbatot of the year!". Several possible answers were given in this regard:

1. The Arbaa Turim, section Orach Chaim, explains, that it is because of the Nes Hagadol - the great miracle, that happened to the people of Israel, in Egypt.
    
2. Abudraham, in a more metaphorical way, explains that on the Shabbat before leaving Egypt, the people of Israel received its first mitzvah, and like a young person who fulfills his first Mitzvah, becoming a Bar o Bat Mitzva, so the people of Israel became Hagadol – the great.Rabbi Shlomo Kluger believes, that this Shabbat is called “Hagadol”, to raise the spiritual level of this specific Sabbath, over Passover, that itself, is also called “Shabbat”, as it is written in Leviticus 23: “¹⁶ Until the day after the seventh Shabbat day will count fifty days".
    
3. The most commonly accepted explanation, is that of the Mahrshal Rabbi Shlomo Luria, who explains, that it is named after the special Haftarah that we will read tomorrow during our morning services, from the book of Malachi, chapter 4, where the last part of it, is written: “⁵ Behold, I send you the prophet Elijah before the day of Adonai comes, the great (Hagadol) and terrible”, reflecting the desired redemption that the prophet Elihau will announce, just as that great redemption that took place in those days: the departure from Egypt.

This is indeed, Shabbat Ha-gadol - a great Shabbat. I believe today is a special Shabbat, prior to a very special and significant Passover 5785. This is the second Passover of the war in Israel, the 2^nd Seder when 59 hostages are enslaved in Gaza, from which only approximately 30 of them are still alive. These days will be very difficult moments for many families in Israel. A friend from Israel wrote me recently: “This Passover I will not be able to celebrate anything, my heart is broken, the pain that I feel for a good friend of mine, one of the 59 hostages, is so deep. How could I celebrate freedom knowing that he is still, in his second Passover enslaved in a tunnel not even with sun light? How will I be able to enjoy the Matza balls or meals, if he does not have even a piece of bread every day? How will I be able to sing songs of joy, if he is living a nightmare sometimes in absolute silence?” and I could fully understand his feelings, and still wonder if giving up the festivity would be the proper answer… I asked him: “What do you think your friend would prefer FOR YOU during the Pesach Seder? To do nothing or to celebrate your own freedom? To forget about everything or to pray for his return ‘Shana Habaa - The next year we shall celebrate Passover 5786 together in freedom’”? He didn’t answer. I hope he will celebrate at least partially and continue to hope, and continue to pray...

Indeed, this Passover will be special. It will be difficult for many Israelis to celebrate Hag Hacherut, the festivity of freedom, knowing that those 30 people, including an American citizen, are locked up without being able to even see the light of the sun. And even so, tomorrow we shall celebrate, and sing the traditional songs, and enjoy our meals as the Rebbe of Gamzu would have said, 1800 years ago: "Gam zu letova, this is also for good", or more recently, Rabbi Nachman from Braslev, who used to say "Hakol letova - everything is for good". We must see in difficult times the possibility of goodness, of light, of liberation for all of them. This is the secret of our resilience that has kept us together and alive for thousands of years.

This Passover Seder, will be a unique celebration in Jewish history, one that we shall remember for future generations: Passover 2025. Regardless the traditional Seder of the Haggadah, let us evaluate Pesach beyond the four questions of Ma Nishtana, or beyond the four glasses of wine, or beyond the meals, and think about new questions, for “Ma nishtana - what has changed in this dinner from the other Passover dinners?” When celebrating freedom, let us remember those who are not free, those still literally enslaved by a war in Israel, or those we know who are in a cell prison, or those we know who live in their own mental prison, or those who have to be in a hospital and cannot celebrate at all, then we may sing: "Halayla haze, halayla haze we shall remember them all”.

Let us learn the profound message of true freedom not only for ourselves, but for those that still cannot be free. God’s will, this war may soon be finished and peace a tranquility shall abide in our midst, the hostages who are still alive shall return to our land with joy, and the death shall be buried with honor and respect in Israel. Amen.

Chag Pesach Kasher, Sameach vemashmauti (meaningful)!

May you have a Kosher, happy and meaningful Passover!

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi David Laor

April 11^th, 2025