15 Responses to “Pesach – What’s Your Focus?”

1. Bob Miller
   March 31st, 2009 @ 9:47 am

   One thing that’s been clanking round in my mind is about the part of the seder that follows the meal. This part clearly has the theme of the future, complete redemption, which is increasingly in our thoughts lately in view of the world situation, etc. I’m wondering if someone knowledgeable has prepared discussion notes about this.

2. Albany Jew
   March 31st, 2009 @ 10:17 am

   At breakfast this morning I was about to tell my daughter that we were out of her favorite cereal. I said “it looks like we are out of…..” Just at that moment my 5 year old son yelled “Mitzraim!” and then began to sing and dance. SO my focus is to get some of that enthusiam!

3. etan
   March 31st, 2009 @ 10:20 am

   I think that the focus should be on the importance of family unity, represented by the korban pesach. Also, the idea of the past redemption, to give praise to G-D, and the future redemption, to always be looking forward to the moshiach.

4. Steve Brizel
   March 31st, 2009 @ 10:51 am

   IMO, one should work with the themes of the Haggadah, which clearly revolve around Hakaras HaTov, restating Ikarei Emunah,Jewish education and the family.

5. Bob Miller
   March 31st, 2009 @ 11:59 am

   The Haggadah has many themes; the question was about special attention or emphasis.

6. Tzvi
   March 31st, 2009 @ 12:33 pm

   Healthy relationships

7. Neil Harris
   March 31st, 2009 @ 4:42 pm

   This year I’m leaning towards “Hashgacha Pratis (Divine Providence)”, mostly because of what I’ve been learning in Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh and several shiurim that I’ve downloaded from Priority-1, by R Shaya Cohen.

   Although, my 3rd grader and 1st grader already told me that they are “running the show” this year.

8. David Linn
   March 31st, 2009 @ 5:57 pm

   AJ, THAT is classic!

9. Nathan
   March 31st, 2009 @ 6:14 pm

   Say any of those things, they all all good, so long as you finish the seder by midnight.

10. Neil Harris
    April 1st, 2009 @ 10:21 am

    “From my earliest youth, I remember that the children would ask each other on the first morning of Pesach, “How long did your Seder last?”
    This was true in my youth, and it is still the case today. If the children were to ask me this now, I would answer them, “I made sure to eat the afikoman before chatzos (midnight).”
    -Rav Shimon Schwab (from Rav Schwab on Prayer-page 541)

11. Tzvi
    April 1st, 2009 @ 1:29 pm

    This year I’m leaning towards “Hashgacha Pratis (Divine Providence)”

    What gives one the right to claim that something that happened was the result of direct hashgacha?

12. cl
    April 1st, 2009 @ 3:56 pm

    EVERYTHING that happens is the result of direct
    hashgacha!

13. Bob Miller
    April 2nd, 2009 @ 7:50 am

    On the topic of hashgacha, read this in-depth analysis:

    http://www.feldheim.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=978-159826-227-8&type=store&category=search

14. Tzvi
    April 2nd, 2009 @ 10:02 am

    cl, that is an extreme position, and while I respect your hashgofa, you should be aware that it’s directly contradicted by almost all of the rishonim, Ramban, Seforno, etc., and of course the rationalists like the Rambam.

15. Ellen L.
    April 5th, 2009 @ 1:02 pm

    I’m looking for my old apron that says on it “ONCE we were slaves???” As usual, concentrating on trying to making sure everyone else enjoys their seder. That involves more cooking, and less sitting on the computer. I also am fascinated by anything on the 4 sons. I have 4 sons, and they are as different as the 4 sons of the Haggadah. I’ve gained progressive insight into them as I understand more fully what the Haggadic 4 sons represent.

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