Rabbi's Blog

Dear OZ family,

I just finished giving the Daf Yomi shiur that begins the last chapter in Masechet Pesachim. Amazingly we will conclude this entire Masechta just in time for the holiday for which it is named. When the wise child of the seder articulates such an impressive question about everything he sees at the table, we respond with a cryptic answer that instructs him not to eat anything after the Afikoman. In truth this answer guides parents to teach such inquisitive children the Masechet we are about to finish. This instruction about the Afikoman begins the final Mishna of Masechet Pesachim, and to truly answer such an impressive question, we must teach everything Masechet Pesachim has to offer. This Masechta takes up on a journey to ancient times when families would embark on a pilgrimage to join with other families and friends in an expression of brotherhood and unity in Jerusalem. The only other day when so many Jews embarked on such a trip was for Yom Kippur. No wonder why Yom Kippur and the Seder include a prayer that expresses the hopes, that “Next year in Jerusalem”.

The last chapter begins with a law that is the source of communities establishing funds to help Jews observe the holiday. This fund is known as Maot Chittim because it is meant to support the essential food requirements of the needy. Since Purim has a similar aspect of helping the needy with the Mitzva of the Purim Seudah, Purim also has a fund called Matanot L’evyonim. We don’t see similar funds to help Jews observe Mitzvot such as the four species of Sukkot, or for Tallit or Tefillin. Of course, generous communities can establish such funds, as many do for Shabbat meals, but the only two that are mentioned in the Gemara are for Purim and Pesach. Rashbam explains that this is because these Mitzvot involve food consumption. When it comes to other Mitzvot there is a 20% rule that indicates that if the performance of a  positive Mitzva stretches us beyond 20% of our means, we are exempt from that Mitzva. But the Mitzvot at the Seder involve publicizing the miracles of our redemption from Egypt, and the Mitzvot of Purim involve publicizing the Miracles of Purim, and when it comes to such a standard, the 20% rule falls away.

When Jews publicize a miracle, we eat, and we always want to assure that the poor are not left out of such a standard. This is why we begin the Maggid section of the Seder with a reminder of inviting the hungry and those in need. I want to congratulate our community for raising over $20,000 for Matanot L’evyonim for Purim. I was able to call up numerous organizations in Israel where funds could be distributed today in Jerusalem where Purim is still observed all day today. May we all merit God’s graces for our generosity. “In charity, may we behold God’s face, awake , may we be filled with a vision of Him” (paraphrase of Tehillim 17:15).

Be safe.   Be healthy.  Be excellent.

Rabbi Allen Schwartz

Rabbi Allen Schwartz

Congregation Ohab Zedek

118 West 95^th Street | New York, NY  10025-6604

Phone 212.749-5150, ext 200 | Fax 212.663-3635

E-mail ras@ozny.org

Website:  www.ozny.org