Same Story of PassoverPassover is a Jewish festival to commemorate the deliverance of the Israelites, when the angel of death (that slew the first-born of the Egyptians) passed over their houses, and spared all who did as Moses commanded them.
When Joseph and his brothers died and the children of Israel multiplied in the land of Egypt, King Pharaoh chose to forget all that Joseph had done for Egypt, thereby transforming it into the wealthiest country in the world at the time.
He decided to take action against the influence and growing numbers of the children of Israel.
He summoned his council and they advised him to enslave these people and oppress them before they grew too powerful.
Pharaoh embarked upon a policy of limiting the personal freedom of the Hebrews, putting heavy taxes on them and recruiting their men into forced labor battalions under the supervision of harsh taskmasters.
The children of Israel were then forced to build cities, erect monuments, construct roads, work in the quarries and hew stones or burn bricks.
But then the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the children multiplied. So finally, when King Pharaoh saw that forcing the Hebrews to do hard work did not succeed in suppressing their growing numbers, he decreed that all their newly born male children be thrown into the Nile River. Only daughters should be permitted to live.
Jacob's great-grandson, Amram, who married Yocheved, had a daughter Miriam, later to become a great prophetess, and a son named Aaron who later became the High Priest. When Yocheved bore a third child, she placed him in a basket which she hid amongst the reeds at the edge of the Nile River ... in order to escape the king's soldiers who were snatching all the male babies and casting them into the Nile.
When Pharaoh's daughter came to bathe in the Nile she discovered the baby and, seeing his unusual radiance, recognized that this child was someone very special.
She called him Moses (most Jews now refer to him as Moshe, or Moshe rabbenu, "Moses, our teacher") ... and she decided to raise him herself in the palace. She hired the baby's mother Yocheved to be his nurse, who also taught him about his rich Jewish heritage.
When the children of Israel could no longer endure their terrible suffering at the hands of their cruel overlords, their cries for help coming from the very bottom of their hearts, pierced the heavens.
G-d remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and decided to deliver their descendants from bondage.
Moses was 80 years old and his brother 83 years old when they entered the palace of King Pharaoh. Pharaoh asked the two brothers what they wanted.
The message sounded like a command: "The G-d of Israel said, 'Let My people go, that they may serve me.'" Pharaoh refused, saying that he had never heard of the G-d of the Israelites.
He further accused Moses and Aaron of a conspiracy against the government and of interfering with the work of the Hebrew slaves.
At Moses' suggestion, Aaron then performed the miracles G-d had enabled him to perform, but Pharaoh was not greatly impressed, for his magicians could do almost as well.
When Pharaoh continued to refuse to liberate the children of Israel, Moses and Aaron warned him that G-d would punish both him and his people. First, the waters of the land of Egypt were to be turned into blood.
This was followed by the plague of frogs which covered the entire land.
With Pharaoh not relenting, G-d sent the third plague which had lice crawling forth from the dust to cover all of Egypt ... Although Pharaoh's advisors pointed out that this surely was Divine punishment, he hardened his heart and remained relentless in his determination to keep the children of Israel in bondage.
The fourth plague consisted of hordes of wild animals roving all over the country destroying everything in their path. Note: only the province of Goshen, where the children of Israel dwelt, was immune from this as well as from the other plagues.
As with the previous plagues, Pharaoh promised faithfully to let the Jews go on the condition that they would not go too far. Moses prayed to G-d and the wild animals disappeared. But as soon as they had gone, Pharaoh withdrew his promise and again refused Moses' demand.
Then G-d sent a fatal pestilence that killed most of the domestic animals of the Egyptians.
In the sixth plague, boils burst forth upon man and beast throughout the land of Egypt.
Now Moses announced to the king that a hailstorm of unprecedented violence was to sweep the land; no living thing, no tree, no herb, was to escape its fury; safety was to be found only in the shelter of the houses.
The next time Moses and Aaron came before Pharaoh, he appeared somewhat more relenting, and asked them who was to participate in the worship that the Israelites wanted to hold in the desert. When they told him that everyone without exception, young and old, men and women, were to go ... Pharaoh suggested that only the men should go and that the women and children, as well as all their possessions, should remain in Egypt.
Moses and Aaron found this offer totally unacceptable ... then Pharaoh, becoming angry, ordered them to leave his palace. Before leaving, Moses warned him of new and untold suffering ... Pharaoh again remained adamant, even though his advisors counseled against further resistance.
As soon as Moses left the palace, he raised his arms toward heaven and an east wind brought swarms of locusts into Egypt, thus covering the sun and devouring everything green that had escaped the hail and previous plagues.
Then followed the ninth plague. For several days all of Egypt was enveloped in a thick and impenetrable veil of darkness, which extinguished all lights kindled. The Egyptians were gripped with fear and remained glued to their places wherever they stood or sat. Only in Goshen, where the children of Israel dwelt, there was light.
Finally, at midnight on the 15th of Nissan, all firstborn in the land of Egypt began dying, from the firstborn of King Pharaoh unto the firstborn of the cattle, exactly as Moses had warned.
There was a loud and bitter wail, for in each house a loved one lay fatally stricken. Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron during that very night and said to them: "Arise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel; and go, serve G-d as you have said, and go, and bless me also" ... At last the pride of the stubborn king was broken and he realized that there indeed was a G-d.
Meanwhile, the Jews had been preparing for their hasty departure. With beating hearts, they had assembled in groups to eat the roasted paschal lamb, together with the unleavened cakes (matzah).
The sun had already risen above the horizon when, at the word of command, the whole nation of the Hebrews poured forth from the land of Egypt.
Thus the children of Israel were liberated from the yoke of their oppressors on the 15th day of Nissan, in the year 2448 after the creation of the world.
There were 603,550 men between 20 and 60 (military age) ... who, with their wives and children and flocks, crossed the border of Egypt as a free nation ... And many Egyptians and other non- Israelites joined the triumphant children of Israel, hoping to share their glorious future. The children of Israel did not leave Egypt destitute.
In addition to their own possessions, the terrified Egyptians had bestowed upon them valuables of gold, silver and clothing in an effort to hasten their departure. Thus, G-d fulfilled in every detail His promise to Abraham that his descendants would leave their exile with great riches.
Leading the Jewish people on their journey during the day was a pillar of cloud, and at night there was a pillar of fire, giving them light. And these Divine messengers not only guided the children of Israel on their way, but also cleared the way before them, making it both easy and safe.
After three days, Pharaoh finally received word of the progress of the children of Israel. The unexpected direction of their march made him think that they were lost in the desert. Pharaoh now regretted that he had permitted them to leave. He then mobilized his army and personally took the lead control of his choicest cavalry and war-chariots, in hot pursuit of his former slaves. He reached them near the banks of the Red Sea and pressed them close to the water, so as to cut off their escape.
Moses led the Israelites onwards until they came to the very borders of the Red Sea. The pillar of cloud now changed its position, retreating from the front to the rear of the Hebrews, floating between the two armies.
Then G-d spoke to Moses ... "Lift up your rod, stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it ... and the children shall go into the midst of the sea on dry ground." Moses did as G-d ordered and a strong east wind rose and blew all night and the waters of the Red Sea were divided and gathered into a wall on either side, thus leaving a dry passage in the midst. The Israelites marched at once along the dry path which extended from shore to shore and reached the opposite side in safety.
The Egyptians continued their pursuit, but Moses stretched forth his staff and the waters resumed their usual course, closing over the whole army of Pharaoh.
Thus, G-d saved the children of Israel from the Egyptians ... and Israel saw His great power; they recognized G-d and believed in Him and in His servant Moses, the first redeemer of Israel.
This is the story of Passover -- or Pesach -- which recounts the birth of the Jewish people as a nation -- a nation called by G-d, "a beloved treasure" -- whose ultimate goal is to be a "light unto the nations."
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Some Thoughts on Passover
The birth of the Jewish nation begins with Mt. Sinai, but in a sense, it really begins with the story of Joseph.Here was a seventeen-year-old boy, disliked by his brothers, and who dreamed a dream, told it to his brothers, and was consequently hated even more. This is the beginning of the hand of G-d, yad haShem, leading events to the eventual revelation at Mt. Sinai.
Had this animosity not occurred, Joseph would not have been sold to a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead and going to Egypt. Our nation started with their selling Joseph for twenty shekels of silver.
Had he not been sold to these Ishmaelites, he would not have been sold in Egypt to the house of Potifar, an officer of Pharaoh's, the captain of the guard.
Had he not been in the house of Potifar, and been "beautiful of form and fair to look upon," Potifar's wife would not have "cast her eyes upon Joseph."
Had he not been strong of mind, and loyal to his master, Joseph would not have encouraged the animosity of Potifar's wife.
Had she not been angered, she would never have brought false charges against Joseph to her husband, thereby encouraging her husband's wrath.
Had Joseph not been falsely accused, thereby encouraging the wrath of Potifar, he would not have been cast into prison (the particular prison where Pharaoh's prisoners were kept).
Here "the Lord was with Joseph, and showed kindness unto him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prisoners."
Had G-d not shown kindness unto him, and not given him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prisoners" Joseph would not have been giving some charge over the prisoners.
Had he not been in this particular prison, he would not have met the chief of the butlers and the chief of the bakers ... two officers of Pharaoh who had incurred the wrath of their master.
Had he not met these two officers, and had some charge over the prisoners, he would not have had that opportunity to interpret those two dreams that they just *happened* to dream that one night. And his interpretation came true ... in three days they were released back to the their former office in the house or Pharaoh.
Had these two officers not been released back to Pharaoh's presence, additional events interpreted by Joseph would not have happened ... the butler being restored to Pharaoh's good graces, and the baker being hung from a tree.
Had this not happened, the butler would have forgot the strength of Joseph. As it is, he did not mention it for another two full years (there are reasons for that too).
Then Pharaoh had two dreams, dreams which all the magicians of Egypt, all the wise men ... could not interpret.
Had the butler then not remembered Joseph ... and had he not related his correct interpretation of their dreams in the dungeon to Pharaoh, Joseph would surely have remained in prison ... But Joseph was then called out to assist Pharaoh with the two dreams.
Had Pharaoh not had the two dreams which his magicians and wise men were not able to interpret, there would have been no need for the skills of Joseph.
Had Pharaoh not needed for Joseph's skills, he would have remained in prison.
He interpreted the two dreams as seven years of plenty, and seven years of famine, and suggested practical steps to take. And Pharaoh made Joseph governor of Egypt, second in command in what was then the most powerful county in the world. "And all the countries came unto Egypt to Joseph to buy corn; because the famine was sore in all the earth."
Had he not been placed in this position of great authority, he would not have been able to test his brothers who came down to Egypt (he knew his brothers, but they knew not him). And after much testing, Joseph makes himself known to his brothers.
Had he not been in this position of power, he would not have been able to promise the brothers a location in Egypt where the land is good and they can "eat the fat of the land."
And eventually Jacob and the entire family leave Beersheba, and come to Egypt, and settle in the land of Goshen. And the Hebrews contributed to the welfare of Egypt, and in time they became "fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceedingly mighty." And a new Pharaoh arose over the land of Egypt.
Had the Israelites not been there, they would not have been able to volunteer for service to assist this new Pharaoh (we learn a lesson from that too), and not been eventually enslaved to build the for Pharaoh store-cities, Pithom and Raamses.
And had they not become slaves, like iron turning to steel in the smelting furnace, when they were tested to see how they live among others without giving up their traditions, there would have come along no Moses.
Had the princess of Egypt not gone down to the river to bathe as it was her habit, and not found the baby in the basket, and not taken him into her care, again, there would have been no Moses.
Had Moses not been so humble, thinking himself not articulate enough for the task, had he not been born as a prince of Egypt, thus enabling him to see first hand the cruelty done to the children of Israel, there would be no Passover.v Had Pharaoh said immediately that the Hebrews could leave, there would be no need for miracles for the world to see, and the first miracle started with the lifeline of Egypt, the great Nile River.
And had Pharaoh not hardened his heart against Moses and the Hebrew people, there would be no night of death to the firstborn of Egypt, recompense for the slaying of the Hebrew children, there would have been no Passover on that last night.
And had Pharaoh not changed his mind after setting the Hebrews free, there would have been no miracle at the sea of reeds, "Yam Suf" ... at the Nile River. Without question, the seas stood still for the world to witness.
And so the hand of G-d, "yad haShem" directs the ways of the world to bring the greatest good in His way, and in His time. This brought on the first Passover on that fateful night when the Hebrews were literally thrown out of Egypt for fear that Egypt would flounder.
MEANING OF FREEDOMAnd thus, at the foot of Mt. Sinai, a nation was born to be free, but not free in the usual sense of the word, free only to be slaves to a greater power, the power of G-d. Any other freedom is really slavery to some lower power, and that would certainly not be freedom. In this festival of freedom we must be careful that we identify that freedom for what it correctly means - not freedom to sit back and be "free" in the modern sense. G-d did not bring the Jewish people out of Egypt only to leave them, with no demands on them whatsoever, "free" to do as they pleased.
As the Torah explains, regarding the Ten Commandments, which were engraved on stone - "charut" in Hebrew, meaning engraved, has the same letters as "cherut" meaning freedom. True freedom comes through deference to a higher power, removing our own ego and self-importance from the equation. Through the Jewish tradition and way of life, we are liberated from the swaying winds of change.
A SECOND CHANCEAn interesting side note: Exactly one month after regular Passover (Pesach) that we all know about, there occurs a second Passover. That's a first Passover (Pesach Rishon) and a second Passover (Pesach Sheni).
What is "Pesach Sheni"? The word, "sheni" means "second." In earlier times (no reason to think that today it's any better), certain people were ritually impure and were unable to carry out all the precepts of Pesach "I" in a state of purity. Therefore a month after Pesach, a 'Pesach II' was given, to allow them to make up for what they missed previously.
Pesach Sheni contains a very powerful message for us - that it is never 'too late'. Even if we think we missed an opportunity, we can always make it up. We can look forward to the future, rather than bemoaning the past, and take our 'second chance' whenever it is presented to us.
A Lighter Moment
Many years ago, the Queen of England decided it was time to make Mr. Benjamin Disreali a knight. He was the first Jew to receive such an honor. Mr. Disreali was instructed that during the ceremony, the Queen would recite a phrase in Latin and he would respond back with the same phrase, thus becoming a knight.
The ceremony to knight the twenty newest knight's began without a hitch. The Queen said her phrase in Latin and the first man answered her quite appropriately, thus becoming a knight.
This continued until the Queen reached Mr. Disreali ... Unfortunately the man was so nervous, he forgot his phrase and for some reason he began reciting the famous Four Questions of the Passover Seder (usually asked by the youngest participant of the seder) ... The Queen, very puzzled, turned to her assistant and asked:
"Why is this knight different from all other knights?"
BRAILLEA Jewish man takes his Passover lunch to eat outside in the park He sits down on a bench and begins eating. A little while later a blind man comes by and sits down next to him.
Feeling neighborly, the Jewish man passes a sheet of matzah to the blind man.
The blind man runs his fingers over the matzah for a few minutes, looks puzzled, and finally exclaims ... "Who wrote this foolishness?"
... What is Passover? ... 