Passover leaves more than the taste of matzo in our mouths, rather a taste of the power of renewal.
The month of Aviv, the Spring season which must herald the arrival of Pesach, unleashes a powerful force evident in the greening of our forests and pastures, the budding and blossoming of our trees, and the sprouting of  seeds in the ground as the dormant life force is awakened.
We have mentioned previously that our chagim have both a historical and  agricultural significance in our lives . The second night of Pesach brought the opportunity to symbolically participate in the korban omer- the offering of the first crop of barley.
This begins a 49 day/7 week count leading up to the festival of Shavuot, where we celebrate receiving our Torah on Mt. Sinai, and also the next special seasonal offering, the Shtei HaLechem, the two loaves of wheat bread, from the new crop.
“You shall count for yourselves, from the day after the day of rest (Pesach) from the day on which you will bring the omer wave-offering, seven complete weeks they shall be,” (Lev. 23:15)
Sefirat HaOmer, the counting of the Omer, has some exciting mystical components that can make the mitzvah come alive, and enrich our lives.
To observe Pesach we remove the chametz, the leavening that symbolizes the puffed up ego we develop when we minimalize the creator’s contributions to our lives, and credit ourselves for our material successes.

The omer was an offering of the first barley crop. Barley was used primarily for feeding animals, and minimally processed, unrefined. During the seven weeks we focus on deficiencies in  7 major character traits, each representing one of the Seven Shepherds, our forefathers who modeled the epitome of Jewish behavior. We have the opportunity to work on our own refinement in each of these areas. These traits are seven of the 10 traditional kabbalistic sefirot, the enumerations or attributes of creation.
The first week corresponds to chesed, kindness, as exemplified by our grandfather Avraham.
The second, gevura, strength, as shown by Yitzchak. The third, tiferet, or glory as represented by Ya’akov. Netzach, the eternal, as taught by Moshe. Hod, or splendor, by Aharon. Yesod, or foundation- the moral virtue of Yosef. And finally, Malchut, the sovereignty presented by David HaMelech- King David, who realized that only G-d was King over the world, and composed the score to accompany the unfolding scenes of the Creator’s dialogue with humanity.
Each week is a mini sefirah period, with each trait ascending through all seven levels, until we reach 49 days/7 full weeks- malchut sh’b'malchut, and the ultimate reward- Torah. The offering of the two loaves is made of wheat, highly refined, and leavened, a true partnership of  Mankind and their G-d. Our creator provides us with the natural resources, the raw materials and it is up to us to elevate, to complete what is given to us in a state of potentiality. This is the model for tikkun olam, the repair and completion of the world, the ultimate partnership.
Meet you at Sinai….
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Greg

For a well written and clear introduction into the kabbalistic sefirot click here

For instructions on preparing the eruv tavshilin for this week’s upcoming two day holiday click here

In just a few days we will again celebrate Passover, Chag  haPesach, The Freedom festival, the Celebration of Springtime, of rebirth.

Too often we spend more time on the physical preparations than the all important spiritual preparations. See some links below for some tips on the physical, but make sure you take the time for the spiritual in advance of seder night.

The holy Arizal (R’ Isaac Luria, the great 16th century kabbalist) says we can read the word Pesach as Peh Sach- the mouth speaks. Rav Kook teaches that our mouths have been in exile.  The redemption from Egypt, which paved the way for the Torah’s revelation at Sinai, also redeemed the faculty of speech. For this reason,Passover is commemorated with an oral mitzvah, the mitzvah to retell the story of the Exodus. And we find that Moses, aware of this aspect of the redemption from Egypt, tried to disqualify himself by protesting, “I am not a man of speech” (Ex. 4:10).

In an essay in Orot Hakodesh entitled ‘ The Redemption of Speech,’ Rav Kook wrote:
“Sometimes we can sense the connection between our speech and the
universe. This is the initial step to redeem speech from its exile.”
“As the soul is elevated, we become acutely aware of the tremendous
power that lies in our faculty of speech. We recognize clearly the
tremendous significance of each utterance; the value of our prayers
and blessings, the value of our Torah study, and of all of our
discourse. We learn to perceive the overall impact of speech. We sense
the change and great stirring of the world that is caused by speech.”

Take the time to go over the Haggadah before Friday night, write down some questions that can be discussed at your seder. Don’t let your seder turn into another round of “When do we eat”. Ask the hard questions- you needn’t “stick to the book…”. And after eating your fill, see if the words of praise for our Creator aren’t a bit more focused, and feel the sense of freedom permeate your being.

And now for the physical:

Cleaning for Pesach need not take all the joy out of our holiday! Read this great article by R’ Shlomo Aviner on How to Do Your Pesach Cleaning Cheerfully.

And see below for a digest of the technical aspects of Pesach.

Wishing us all a chag kasher v’sameach- a joyous, sweet holiday,

Rabbi Greg

PS Don’t forget to come to 6th St. come for the special Chol Hamoed concert of the Ayn Sof Arkestra- Tuesday, April 10

General Halachot – Passover Guidelines

Prior to Passover, every Jew is required to remove all chometz from home, property, and all premises under his/her jurisdiction (e.g. desk, office, locker, car); even if one will not be on the premises during Passover (unless the chometz was properly sold to a gentile, as will be discussed).

What is CHOMETZ?

Chometz is if any of the following five grains are leavened or fermented; wheat, rye, oats, spelt and barley. The process of leavening or fermenting takes place when these grains come in contact with water and are left unbaked for 18 minutes. In the case of hot or salted water, leavening and fermenting occurs immediately. Food products and products made from the five-grain derivatives may not be consumed, either by eating or drinking, and may not be held in one’s possession, nor may any benefit be derived from chometz. Generally one may not purchase flour in the local area as it is produced from grains that have been washed and tempered, rendering it chometz.

What is KITNIOT?

Leguminous vegetables such as beans, peas, corn, and rice are considered kitniot and are not chometz.  However, according to only Ashkenazic and European tradition, they must not be eaten on Pesach.  Kitniot may be owned and benefit may be derived from these products. Generally, Sephardic Jews are not bound by this custom. The tradition of the kitniot restriction has been steadfastly maintained and one must be very careful not to consume kitniot as if it were actual chometz.  In case the sick, elderly, or young infants need to eat kitniot, a halachic authority should be consulted. Generally, a lenient compromise is afforded.

Bedikas  & Bitul Chometz (checking and disowning chometz)

To facilitate the removal of chometz, each Jew is obligated to conduct a diligent search in all places where chometz may have been kept or consumed at any time during the preceding year. The specified time for this search is the evening preceding Pesach, at nightfall, 4/8/12 at 8:07PM.

(Once this time has arrived, one should not do work, sit down to a meal, shower, or even learn Torah, lest they forget to check for chometz). Checking is usually done with a one-wick candle in the dark, in order to see and check each corner of every room. If using a candle is impractical or hazardous, a flashlight can be used.  A bracha – blessing(found in the beginning of most Haggadahs) is said before the search begins, and a public disclaimer (bitul) of ownership of chometz is recited afterward.

Restrictions of eating, using and owning chometz begin on the morning before Passover. Just before these restrictions begin, any remaining chometz must be destroyed (usually burned) and a public disclaimer (bitul) of chometz ownership is recited. Chometz that is not destroyed must be sold to a gentile.

Chometz may not be disowned or sold once it is prohibited to own it, and it must be destroyed (times for these prohibitions are posted on the website).

Chometz remaining in a Jew’s possession, which has not been sold to a gentile, may not be used by him or any other Jew at any time, and it may not be purchased or used after Passover. Chometz discovered on Chol Hamoed should be burned.  If it was discovered during the first or last two days of Yom-Tov, a Halachic authority should be consulted immediately. All chometz sold to a gentile must be stored out of sight (for example, clearly marked in cabinets or closets).

Chometz Sheavar Alav Hapesach

What does this mean? Any chometz that was owned or bought by a Jew on Pesach may never be consumed. This penalty was established by Halacha (Jewish law) to avoid the consumption, benefit, and ownership of chometz on Passover. One must be very mindful of where chometz is purchased after Passover, since many distributors are Jewish and, as is customary, do not sell their chometz before Passover.

Kashering (making kosher) the Kitchen

Halacha requires that only special dishes, pots, and all cooking utensils that were not used with chometz be used on Passover. It is possible to kasher certain utensils for Passover that are used all year round. The kitchen must also meet certain kashering guidelines.

This is only a basic guide and all questions are encouraged.

Thanks to R’ Chaim Lobel of YI, Aberdeen, NJ

Want to learn more?:

http://www.oukosher.org/pdf/AGuidetoPesach.pdf