Exodus '11!

BH

"In every generation, we are reqired to see ourselves as if we left Egypt"

It is from these words, uttered during the Passover Seder, that many questions have been derived.

Countless questions.
- "What is this meant to teach us?"
- "How can I see myself leaving Egypt? I've never even been to modern day Egypt!?"
- "How do I implement this to the seder night?"
- "Is this only true the night of the Seder?"

The list goes on.

Chassidic lore has much to say about these words. The Tanya speaks about it and countless Chassidic discourses mention this phrase, in part or in it's entirety.

So, as the Holiday of Pesach settles upon us, the Chametz out the door and Matzah populating the shelves, I would like to share a thought.

The answer to all the above questions is "Yes!" Yes or look within. Within yourself for the real answer to any question this phrase leads you to.

"Is this meant only for Seder night?" "Yes!" In a way, this idea meets its pinnacle on Seder night. The actions we do on Seder night to see ourselves "leaving Egypt" are specific to that night only!

"Is this meant for all year round?" Also, "Yes!" Every day we are to remember that we as Jews merited the Exodus.

Now, how can this same idea be specific for year round and one night alone?

Again, lets look inside ourselves. In each of us there is a sort of "Egypt." When the Jewish people left Egypt they left a land that made it difficult for them to live as Jews and practice their faith.

In each of us that exists on a daily basis! We each have that Egypt that we need to overcome. All year we need to work on bursting out of our element ("Egypt") and marching onward.

On Seder night specifically we are given a Haggadah, a guide book for the process. We again remember the phrase of seeing ourselves leaving Egypt. However this time, the actual story of the Exodus accompanies our revisiting.

So on Passover night, while we actually re-live the process step-by-step, we should also be working on the present.

We should pray and hope that due to our actions at the seder, the true meaning of "seeing ourselves as if we left Egypt" comes to fruition.

I would like to leave you with wishes for a wonderful Happy Pesach in which you see a personal exile from the trials and tribulations that may affect you.

As a nation, may this Holiday bring forth the true Exodus, with the coming of Moshiach!

Happy Pesach and warmest regards from the Chabad Center in Downtown Montreal, Canada!