Parasha Thoughts
By Rabbi Yosef Shemtov
The holiday of Pesach has two names. One name is Chag Ha’Pesach, meaning the festival of passing over; the other is Chag Ha’Matzot, meaning the festival of matzah.
Chag Ha’Pesach represents the Almighty’s love for Beni Israel. When Hashem was punishing the firstborn sons of the Egyptians on the night of the Exodus, he passed over Jewish homes and spared the lives of the Jewish firstborn sons. Beni Israel gave the holiday the name “Chag Ha’Pesach†to remember the Almighty’s love for them when he saved them on this night.
“Chag Ha’Matzot†represents Beni Israel’s love for Hashem. When the time came to leave Egypt, they trusted in Hashem and went into the wilderness with only a small portion of food and matzah. Hashem called it “Chag Ha’Matzot†to remind himself about Beni Israel’s love for him.
Pesach is a time to remind ourselves about the love between Beni Israel and Hashem.
On behalf of the Yachad Kollel Rabbis, I would like to wish you and your family a happy and meaningful Pesach!