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Published by bneibuzz, 2019-04-18 06:35:07

Divrei Torah Booklet Final

Divrei Torah Booklet Final

B’’h

Ideas To Change Your
Pesach!

Featuring Short Divrei Torahs and Ideas
from Maddies, Channies and Members of Hachshara 2019

BNEI AKIVA B’’h

After Bnei Yisrael crossed the Yam Suf, they famously sing 'Az Yashir'.
One of the verses exclaim "And Moshe led them away away from the
shore". The Midrash brought by Rashi detects a reluctance to leave
the shore therefore Moshe had to force them away. They were too
preoccupied with collecting the treasures off the drowned Egyptians.
However, the Zohar explains the reluctance on the Jews' part
differently. They did not want to leave because they sensed Hashem's
presence there. As we see elsewhere in the song that they exclaimed
"-‫זה אלי ונוהו‬This is my G-d and I'll beautify Him" I.e even the lowest
Jew could point at and see Hashem.

Initially, they seem to be two totally different explanations; one is
about a nation interested in materialism while the other is awe-struck
by Hashem's presence. However, Rav Yaakov Moshe Charlap teaches
how they are really the same answer. Normally, it is easy to
acknowledge Hashem when things are going bad because we need the
help but the real test is to have a relationship when life is good. Rashi
is pointing out that the Torah is not criticising Bnei Yisrael, but rather
praising their ability to revel in Hashem's revelation even when they
were in the most positive of contexts- collecting valuable treasure.

This is our goal every Pessach; to rediscover Hashem's constant
presence in our lives both in the best and worst of times and that is
why once a year on the Seder night, we must relive the experience in
order to come to this realisation.

Chag Samech!

David Kahn

2

PESACH 2019 B’’h

Is Eliyahu Hanavi that lazy?
Pesach is the chag of questions, so listen to this one…
Why do we get up and open the door for Eliyahu Hanavi?
This prophet has the unique capacity to be at every single Brit Milah,
to be at every single Pesach
Seder at every single place, every single time throughout the whole
world, and yet we have to open
the door for him?
Eliyahu represents a Messianic era, a better positive time in all of our
lives to see great things
happening.
And most of us think that we are waiting for this positive change. In
reality, however, it’s the positive
change that’s waiting for us.
All we need to do is to get up and open the door.
Opening the door for Eliyahu Hanavi teaches us that if we want to
see meaningful change, if we
want to see a positive future in our own lives, we need to get up.
We need to take action.
We need to make the difference.
We all have the ability to bring Moshiach that much closer. May we
actively do so this Pesach.

Chag Sameach
With love, Michal Gershuni

P.s, Did you hear about the internet search engine for Passover?
It’s called eliYAHOO. lol

3

B’’h

BNEI AKIVA

I once heard a very interesting question. What is matza? Is it the bread of
affliction or the bread of redemption?

On one hand matza is the bread of affliction.
A distinct memory from all my childhood Pesach seders is scrambling around
the house , behind picture frames and under pillows for the serviette-wrapped
afikoman in a race against my brothers.
When hiding the afikoman, we are reminded of our days of slavery- of the
insecurity of not knowing when the next meal would be.

However, on the other hand, the Jewish people were also commanded to
make matza with the Korban Pesach to remind us of our freedom!

Perhaps, therefore, matza is the bread of contradiction?

Both an acknowledgment of our heavy past as well as the appreciation of our
freedom are necessary for true liberation!

And this is the process we go through during the Seder.

On an individual level, it was Rabbi Nachman who said that matza represents
the essence of a person - a man before he is influenced or in any way
blemished.
Chametz is all the habits and desires that are external.
Pesach is about identifying the chametz and returning to ones true genuine
self! We can learn from the seemingly contradictory nature of matza of how to
do this- to look backwards from where we have come and to look forward to
where we wish to be...

Chag Pesach Samech!
Jessa Marx

4

B’’h

PESACH 2019

Every year, we sit around our Seder tables and recount the tale of how Moshe led the
Jewish people, Whoop whoop, from slavery to Freedom!

We ask questions throughout the night however, certain aspects of the seder have just
become things we do. One thing I always wondered was why we sing the song, 'Who knows
one?' and why on the Seder of all nights?

Rav Yissachar Dov of Belz writes that said passage can be compared to a wealthy man who
takes care not to reveal the extent of his property to the public eye. But after drinking a
great deal of wine, he begins listing his considerable possessions. The Jewish people are the
same way: after they have consumed four cups of wine at the seder, they begin revealing
their treasures in public: one is our God, two are the tablets of the covenant, three are the
Patriarchs, and so on.

I hope this small idea will give more meaning to the final parts of your seder and may we all
be zoche to see the coming of the Moshiach!

‫לשנה הבאה בירושלים‬
Ariel Kahanovitz

- What's the funniest pesach themed joke you've heard?

“Knock knock
Who's there?

EliYa
EliYa who?
EliYaHu Hanavi”

5

B’’h

BNEI AKIVA

Hope for a Broken World: Our Children

At a point in the Seder we break one of the matzahs and traditionally it is hidden away
somewhere for the purpose of keeping the younger ones entertained and intrigued until
the end of the Seder. Later in the evening, the children will try & find the broken piece of
Matzah & return it just in time to be eaten towards the end of the Seder.

When we, as individuals look at the world, it seems broken. So much evil & wickedness
can be found around the globe. It feels depressing & sadness fills our lives and our hearts.
The world seems so broken, just like the piece of hidden Matzah. We ask ourselves: Who
will restore it? & how will we do it? The answer is simple. It is the children that will return
the broken piece. It is the children that have so much optimism and passion inside of them
in which they will utilize to restore the world to God’s Kingdom.

The younger generation is the generation that is learning & growing and aspiring to be
better human beings every day. We are a part of that youth. We all strive to make
changes. We all want to do whatever it takes to ensure that goodness & positivity fills the
world & fills our lives. Let this Pesach be a turning point in which we allow only the good
to consume us & all that we do, and may we always have the passion & drive to perform
Mitzvot and restore morality into our world.
As it is known: ‘Ivdu et Hashem B'Simcha.’ Let us serve Hashem with joy. & let us do this
always.

Chag Sameach
Jay Ronthal

What's the funniest pesach themed joke you've heard?

“why do we use a Haggadah on pesach?”
“So we can seder right words”
Jessa Marx

6

B’’h

PESACH 2019

Avadim hayinu- we were slaves
BUT WHY?

The mishne in pesachim daf 116a states: “he begins with shame and concludes with praise.” Later on,
the gemorah questions this statement trying to seek the meaning of it. Shmuel explains that “he begins
with shame” is referring to “Avadim hayinu”- we were slaves to pharaoh in Egypt and “he concludes with
praise” is speaking of “Hashem our God took us out from there.”

Why was it necessary for us to begin with our shame of humiliating, backbreaking labour under the
servitude of the Pharaoh and his people?

Rav Soloveitchik explains that it was only through this brutal slavery that the Jews were able to truly
understand and experience the cruelty and wickedness of human suffering. Consequently, a feeling of
compassion and sensitivity toward their fellow man engendered within them. Without their being
enslaved and their exposure to human suffering, they would have remained insensitive and emotionally
vulgar people. This slavery however, allowed Bnei Yisrael to become a truly free nation with the ability to
comprehend the difficulties of others, act mercifully toward one another and stand up against the world
of evil with a constant desire to do good and light up the world with
kiddush Hashem.

Rav kook too offers a fascinating explanation: the slavery in Egypt was terrible and had numerous
negative effects on Bnei Yisrael. However, the slavery built within Am Yisrael the ability to accept
servitude upon themselves. Although this trait was damaging when we were slaves - submitting our
beings to the authority of the Egyptian task-masters - when we became free, our submission was
transformed into a positive attribute as we were able to focus our servitude towards our Avodat
Hashem. This complete submission to Hakadosh Baruch Hu allows on to live a life of true freedom.

A final answer which I found very meaningful is as follows: If one attempts to shoot an arrow without
pulling the bowstring back it will most likely land right in front of him, covering little if any ground
whatsoever. However, what will result if one were to pull the bowstring back and then release it? The
arrow will travel a great distance and certainly much more than when one didn’t pull back the bowstring
at all. This is also true with Bnei Yisrael because it is only through our being pushed back so greatly by
our harsh slavery, which allowed us to blossom into a strong united nation
of fighters and achievers lead by Hakadosh Baruch Hu.

It is imperative for every one of us to take heed of these messages and understand the true essence
of our slavery. As the Jewish youth, it is our duty to realise our past and keep the arrow of Am Yisrael
flying high in the sky by fully submitting our very beings to the service of Hashem and desiring to fill
the world with compassion, goodness and kiddush Hashem.

Chag Sameach
Illan Biddle

7

B’’h

BNEI AKIVA

One of the fundamental aspects of our Seder night is the Hillel Sandwich
where we eat a combination of Matza and Maror. However, when thinking
about the deeper symbolism of these 2 different components such as the

Matza representing Bnei Yisrael’s freedom as a nation and the Maror
representing the suffering and bitterness of Bnei Yisrael in Mitzrayim, it would
seem that they most certainly don’t fit together. However, on Pesach night we
need to remember that we are not just commemorating our freedom from
Egypt or the start of our national independence as a people.
We are celebrating being Am Yisrael. Our people are not just about the Matzot
of freedom and about the bitterness of Maror but we are about both together.
Specifically on Seder night, we eat these two together in order to remind
ourselves what it truly means to be a Jew and to show that we as Am Yisrael
are willing and grateful to be Hashem’s chosen nation no matter what.

To be a Jew means to accept the good times in our lives as represented by the
Matza as well as the difficult times in our lives as represented by the Maror.
We need to realize that everything in our lives is from Hashem and a means
for us to come close to Hashem. Therefore, by sitting at our Seder tables 2000
years later, we show that even through death and destruction we stand strong
and proud as Hashem’s Jewish people awaiting our ultimate redemption,
Mashiach.
Wishing everybody a Chag Pesach Kasher Ve’Sameach

Galia Ovad
MTA 2019

How do you like your Matzah?
I’m a big fan of marge and honey. Otherwise some
lekker avo or a classic marge and salt. My friend Sam

Cohen puts jam and cottage cheese. Sis

Lior Ronthal

8

B’’h

PESACH 2019

At its core, pesach is about freedom.
To achieve true freedom we must not only be physically liberated, but internally
as well. We can see an example of this in the story of pesach. It says 7 times in
Torah how plentiful and strong the Isralites were, when they lived in Egypt.
Surely a nation which greatly out numbered its oppressors could over through
them? But they don't, because they conduct themselves according to a "slave
mentality". Rabbi shlomo karlibach builds on this idea, and says that the answer
to this internal slavery is within our pesach traditions. Bedikat chameitz is the
answer. It is a metaphor for the process of introspection. Instead of searching
for chameitz (faults or issues) in the homes of others, we must look for it in our
own homes. We turn off the lights because self evaluation is difficult. We take a
beacon of truth ( the candle)to guide us, and spend our time searching for
things which are holding us back from being our truest self. Only to collect them
and rid ourselves of them, so that we may truly be free.

Chanan Suiza

At the Seder we break one of the matzahs (called Yachatz in Hebrew) and
traditionally it is hidden away somewhere in order to keep the children
interested and awake until the end.

Later the children will try to find the broken piece of the matzah and return it
when just in time to be eaten towards the end of the Seder. When you look at
the world it seems very broken.

So much evil and wickedness can be found around the globe. It can be
depressing. The world seems so broken like the matzah. Who will restore it? It
is the children, us, that will return the broken piece. It is the children that have
such optimism and can restore the world to God’s kingdom.
Let us take this opportunity that we have to help bring light and positivity into
this world!

Chag sameach!
Tyler Richter

9

B’’h

BNEI AKIVA

When a person thinks of Pesach, he/she automatically thinks about the Exodus of Egypt -
being taken from a ‫בית עבדים‬to a .‫בית חורין‬The primary text for this story is the book of

Shmot.

However, the book of shmot barely comes up in the Haggadah and thus we must ask
ourselves for what reason did out sages leave out such an imperative story for such an
important night?

The Rambam, in Hilchot Chametz, cites a halachah, but with a subtle yet significant
change in the text: “In each generation one is obligated to display himself as if he now left
from the bondage of Egypt...” Rambam’s adaptation differs from the wording found in
most Haggadot. He says “display” rather than “see”. What does he accomplish by doing
so?

We begin by asking how is it possible to see oneself as having personally escaped the
slavery of Egypt. It seems that the Rambam struggled with this very question as well. It is
quite difficult to “see” ourselves as having escaped Egypt when we were never there. The
Rambam understood that while our goal is to “see” ourselves as having left, we can only
do so by way of reenacting what we think the experience would have looked like if we
were there. The Seder night is all about creating the perfect setting and ‘vibe’ which
allows us to step into the role we have been cast to play each year on Pesach.

Therefore we learn from this that we cannot merely recite the book of Shmot every
pesach in order to understand the essence of such an incredible event, rather, we should
be active in and personalize the telling of the Exodus by way in which we can relate and
actually feel the emotions which were experienced by our ancestors.

One of my Rabbi’s told me a story of how his brother in law used to dress up as pharaoh
and command his children to build pyramids out of building blocks. As they finished he
would bash them down and command them once again to rebuild them. He did this a few
times till his children, now frustrated, angry and ‘burdened’ finally understood the
meaning behind their father’s actions and acquired a sense of the slavery and hardships
their ancestors faced. This is a perfect example of how to personalize a Seder in order to
experience being slaves in Egypt.

Josh Jackson
MTA 2019

10

B’’h

PESACH 2019

In Maggid, Rebbi Eliezer says that each plague that Hashem inflicted on the Egyptians

consisted of 4 parts. Each of these parts is there to teach us a separate and
unique lesson that Hashem wanted us, not only the Egyptians, to learn and
apply to our daily lives. We know this because the number 4 implies
expansiveness such as the 4 corners of the world. It’s a lesson for everyone,
for all humanity.

One of these 4 aspects is .‫ משלכת מלאכי רעים‬The word ‫ רע‬doesn’t mean bad,
but rather incomplete. (We see this as ‫רע‬is the opposite of ‫טוב‬and Hashem
uses the word ‫ טוב‬to describe the World once creation was complete. Thus,
‫רע‬means incomplete.) The word ‫ מלאכי‬has the same root as the word
-‫ מלאכה‬to work. Thus, translated literally, this means “A delegation of
incomplete workers”. The question is, what is the lesson for us to learn from
here?

Rebbi Eliezer is telling us not to become a nation of 50 percenters. A nation of
half-doers. A nation lacking effort. No person is created without a mission to
make the world a better place, to make a positive impact in the world. If so,
how come there is negativity and evil in the world, such as the slavery the
Egyptians inflicted on the Jews?

When a delegation or group of people collectively do not put in all their effort
and their full 100 percent into achieving their mission in the world, we become
like the Egyptians. As a nation, they didn’t collectively put in their full effort.
They became complacent. They became a nation of 50 percenters. Rav Eliezer
is trying to teach us, that in order to fully achieve our mission on Earth and in
order to truly make the world a better place, we must always remember to do
whatever we do with our maximum effort, heart and focus unlike the
Egyptians.

Daniel Rapp

11

B’’h

BNEI AKIVA

It's at that time of the year where mothers are stressing and families are
cleaning. We are to focused on the preparations for pesach physically and yet
our spiritual preparations are short lived. People do not push themselves to
really understand and build their connection when the chag falls upon us.

It is similar with doing chessed, that in Pirkei Avot it says people do chessed for
the reward majority of the time and yet do not have that spiritual connection
with the mitzvah. It says that only after the second, third and fourth time,
doing chessed becomes more and more easy.

The reason for bringing in shabbas earlier then it should be is to prepare
ourselves and get in the mood. We tend to push everything to the last minute.
Rush to shul; catch up on the davening; and slowly lose out ‫ כוונה‬with what we
are saying. Therefore one should prepare themselves without being rushed in
order to live in the moment.

So too, with pesach, the more time you leave for yourself to reflect and
prepare for the chag, the stronger the connection you have with understanding
the geula that we are going through on the seder night.I hope that everybody
can prepare themselves for the chag and really feel geula we are going through
in our lives this pesach.
‫חג כשר ושמח‬

Gadi Sachs
MTA 2019

12

B’’h

PESACH 2019

On both Pesach nights we mention the four sons at our Seder table- the wise son, the
wicked son, the simple son and the son who doesn’t know how to ask. Chief Rabbi Lord
Jonathan Sacks comments on these four sons and explains that each son possesses a
unique personality and approach to learning, and they may not be four separate
people, rather our circle of life and the evolution of our constantly developing minds.

We all start off as the‫( שאינו יודע לשאול‬doesn’t know how to ask). We were all non-
verbal babies at one point, simply amazed but also confused by the world around us.
Our parents slowly teach us even though we may not respond or understand.

As we grow we become the ‫( תם‬simple) . At this stage we begin to grasp basic
knowledge and become a bit more articulate and comprehensive. And when we do
manage to formulate a question, we accept a simple answer, as a young mind is trained
to do.

Next comes quite the ‫( רשע‬wicked). The ‫ רשע‬symbolizes adolescence. At this stage we
begin to not only increase in our desire to question, but begin to very confidently and
abruptly challenge the answers we are given. The rebellious teenager will often
disregard any constructive criticism and shy away from any idea that doesn’t mirror his
or her own. This mindset is sometimes toxic, not only to himself but to everyone
around him. And using only attack and argument will never lead someone to the truth
the way a well thought-out, genuine question has the ability to.

And finally we arrive at the, ‫ חכם‬adulthood. Eventually we come back to earth and
realize other people have valid opinions. Not everyone is out to get us, and maturity,
patience, and respect are true virtues. We can now formulate proper questions,
ponder the answers, and continue to learn and grow. Even though we ultimately aspire
to be the ,‫חכם‬each son is an integral part of the Seder table, our life cycle. Take every
stage as it comes and appreciate what each stage provides. Embrace the passionate
flame within you. Appreciate the ‫חכמה‬you possess today, but remember that at one
point you knew nothing, and there is ALWAYS something new to learn.

Chag Sameach
Dani Weinberg

13

B’’h

BNEI AKIVA

How do you like to spice up your matzah?

“I like my Matza plain ”

Yoni Rosenthal

14

B’’h

PESACH 2019

The four sons are a portrait of the Jewish people
sitting around the same table, telling the same story.
Sitting next to the wise child, the rebel is not fated to
remain a rebel. Sitting next to the rebel, the wise
child can share his wisdom rather than keeping it to
himself. The one who cannot ask, will, in time, learn
how. The simple child will learn complexity. The wise
child will learn simplicity. Each draws strength from
the other, as we draw strength from belonging to a
people. What a privilege to sit around such a table.

Dena Cohen

How do you spice up your matzah on
Pesach?

“By eating it out of a packet”

Illan Biddle

15

B’’h

BNEI AKIVA

16

B’’h

PESACH 2019

The Rav (Rav Soloveitchik) teaches a beautiful idea about
Pesach.
In Parshat Va-etchanan, the Torah tells us that Hashem
brought us out of Egypt with “a mighty hand.” On Seder Night,
we are commanded to mention both Hashem’s mighty hand
and His outstretched arm. Why this added expression of the
outstretched arm? Hashem’s outstretched arm symbolises
the idea that His arm is forever stretched out over the nation
of Israel to shield them from their enemies. Even after He has
saved the Jewish people from one calamity, His arm remains
outstretched to protect us from future troubles. The Passuk in
Va-etchanan only focuses on retelling the story of Yetziat
Mitzrayim, not on past or future salvations. So the Torah only
mentions Hashem’s mighty hand. In contrast, at a time or
thanking Hashem, it is appropriate to recognise that His
kindness towards us never ends. Until this very day, His sword
remains outstretched over Jerusalem to protect us. In
addition to recounting the Pesach story, on Seder night each
of us needs to thank Hashem. Look around the table. We have
a lot for which to be thankful❤

Lior Ronthal

17

B’’h

BNEI AKIVA

While visiting Shaare Tzedek hospital, one of the patients shared a
short idea with us. He said- on Purim we wish people Purim Sameach
and on Pesach we wish people Chag Kasher V’Sameach.

His Rosh Kolel told him that one should swop the greetings. One
should rather wish a fellow Jew Chag Sameach on Pesach because
individuals spend the whole day cleaning and sorting and may forget
to be sameach and on Purim, one should wish an individual Chag
Kasher V’Sameach so as not to forget that taking the happiness
overboard isn’t ideal- the simcha should be kept kosher.

May your Pesach be one filled with celebrating our freedom! Chag
Sameach.

Maddie Wingerin
Midreshet Harova

How do you spice up your matzah?
“Obvs pesto matza pizza – there is no
other way ”.
Kara Gordon

18

B’’h

PESACH 2019

During davening on Pesach we refer to the chag as ‫זמן חרותנו‬.
We remember that we as the Jewish people are free from
slavery. Years ago many people were not free and unfortunately
could not even have a seder. Yet still today there are people
who aren't celebrating pesach in the way they want to, many
people around the World will be having sederim in different
places by themselves. We as bnei akiva are lucky enough to be
free and have our seder with our family and friends . I see
myself as being free by having my seder in Israel. We must
remember that we are celebrating the festival of freedom and
how fortunate we are to do this. Chag kasher Vesameach.

Yechiel Hummel
MTA 2019

19

B’’h

CHAG SAMAECH!

Thank you to everyone who contributed. Wishing you all
a Chag Kasher V’sameach! With love the Bnei Team!

/BneiSA

011 485 1695 | [email protected] | www.bnei.co.za

Next year in Jerusalem! 20


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