Passover HANDS ON. Do it! Taste it! Think it! D APRIL 2 10, NISSAN, with OPERATION MITZVAHSHARE

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1 Passover HANDS ON with OPERATION MITZVAHSHARE Do it! Taste it! Think it! D APRIL 2 10, NISSAN, 5767

Passover Here and Now Passover doesn t only commemorate the past. Egypt, Pharaoh, Moses they are all here right now. Egypt is a tight little box of ego that won t let you grow.

2 Passover Here and Now Passover doesn t only commemorate the past. Egypt, Pharaoh, Moses they are all here right now. Egypt is a tight little box of ego that won t let you grow. Pharaoh is the voice inside that mocks your gambit to escape, saying, How could you attempt to be today something you were not yesterday? Moses is the liberator, the infinite force deep within, an impetuous and all-powerful drive to break out from any bondage, to always transcend, to connect with that which knows no bounds. Freedom and the Promised Land are up to you. Break free today from whoever you were the day before. This year, defy your Pharaoh and connect to the Infinite. Don t just do Passover; experience it. Dear Friend You are the next link in the chain. Passover is the most ancient of all rituals in the Western world. It has been passed down in an unbroken chain of tradition for over 3300 years, that s over 100 generations! That means that every one of your ancestors, without exception, sat at a Seder and shared the meaning, the mystery and magic of Passover. Engage all your senses in this dynamic and moving experience. The tastes, the aromas, the textures, the sounds and the sights of Jewish continuity in action all combine to achieve the meaningful events of the Seder. Take the time this year to fully engage yourself and your family in Jewish life. Feel the passion of the exodus, taste the beauty of freedom, hear the message of personal growth all brought to life at the Seder. Join us or try it at home. Either way, make this the most meaningful Pesach ever. If you need any help preparing for the Seder or if you would like to join us please call me at or me at RabbiVigler@MitzvahShare.org Yours truly, Rabbi Yoseph Vigler EDUCATIONAL DIRECTOR - OPERATION MITZVAHSHARE Contents: 3. The Passover Story 4. Chametz Free Zone 7. A Great Passover Seder 9. How to do Matzah 10. The Rest of Passover 11. Dates, Times & Blessings <2, 2007 by The Shluchim Office, Texts written by Tzvi Freeman Design & Photography 2007 by Spotlight Design,

< The Passover Story, Oppression Our father Abraham brought enlightenment to a dark world.

Our souls, however, could not be crushed.

Revolution One day, G-d spoke to Moses from a burning bush in the wilderness. He told him to say to Pharaoh, Let my people go so they can serve me!

Miracles Pharaoh was in for a surprise. Until that time, people had thought this was a pretty predictable world.

What Moses did was to blow that pyramidmachine to bits for us, for Pharaoh and for anyone who had eyes in his head.

3 < The Passover Story, Oppression Our father Abraham brought enlightenment to a dark world. Eventually when we came to Egypt, Pharaoh reduced us to slave- laborers, demoralizing us, slaying our children before our eyes, and beating our bodies to the ground. Our souls, however, could not be crushed. We had faith in the promise that one day G-d would redeem us from this slavery and take us to the Promised Land to be a special people, carrying Abraham s message to the world. Revolution One day, G-d spoke to Moses from a burning bush in the wilderness. He told him to say to Pharaoh, Let my people go so they can serve me! Well, Pharaoh wasn t ready to let a Supreme, Exclusive Deity blow his authority to the side. This was his kingdom, and no G-d of the Hebrews was going to interfere. Miracles Pharaoh was in for a surprise. Until that time, people had thought this was a pretty predictable world. All in all, nature seemed to be running as neatly as another of Pharaoh s pyramid projects. What Moses did was to blow that pyramidmachine to bits for us, for Pharaoh and for anyone who had eyes in his head. With miracle after miracle ten of them in all he demonstrated irrefutably that behind this façade of natural law is a deliberate, purposeful G-d who can do whatever He wants. A G-d with an open-door policy to hear the cry of the oppressed, who demands justice and loves those who do kindness. Liberation Eventually, a very stubborn Pharaoh was forced to give in. On that day, some 600,000 Jewish families (along with many other folks who joined them) began their exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land, their heads held high and joyous song on their lips. The high point of the journey was their stop at Mount Sinai for a public broadcast of the Ultimate Divine Wisdom from G-d Himself, a.k.a., The Torah. It s that wisdom that has held us together as a nation against all odds ever since. We have transmitted that wisdom and experience that to the world. Today all know and recognize the rights and the liberties of every human being, each of whom contains a soul made in the image of G-d. <3,

4 How To Create a <Chametz Free Zone, Who Is This Chametz Guy and What Is So Terrible About Him? Chametz means leavened grain. Any food or drink made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt or their derivatives that wasn t guarded against leavening or fermentation is considered chametz on Passover. If a food contains even a trace of chametz, we can t eat it, we can t profit from it and we make sure not to have any of it in our possession for all the days of Passover. If that sounds rather strange, you need to look at the historical context: The night we were liberated from Egyptian slavery, we had to get out of there fast. So fast, we didn t have time to let the bread we were baking rise. All we could pack for the way was flat, unleavened bread. To remember the occasion, G-d commanded us through Moses to purge our homes and diets of any leavened grains every year at this time. Painless Purging Problem is, our homes are infested with the stuff. Before Passover we undertake a full spring-cleaning/search-and-destroy mission. Before you drive yourself nuts on an endless witch-hunt, here are some tips to lighten the load: Out of reach, out of existence: If it is impossible to access the chametz, the stuff might as well not exist. <4,

The Sellout Now you re thinking, What about my Ballantine s 30 Year single malt whiskey, my assortment of organic, homebrewed vinegars and my kid s Cheerio-Man masterpiece?

5 Stick to the Chametz Domain: You only need to search those places where people sometimes take chametz. You can always quarantine: Any room can be sealed off for the eight days, as long as you remember to complete the vital Sale of Chametz mentioned below. The Sellout Now you re thinking, What about my Ballantine s 30 Year single malt whiskey, my assortment of organic, homebrewed vinegars and my kid s Cheerio-Man masterpiece? The good news is, there s an alternative to the search-and-destroy approach to Passover: Simply ensure that no chametz belongs to you for the duration of the holiday. Take all the chametz you can find the food, the drinks and the utensils used throughout the year (and not koshered for Passover) and store them away in a closet or room that you will lock or tape shut. You re going to temporarily sell that space and everything in it to a non-jew. Since this will be a legally binding sale according to both Jewish and civil law, you will authorize a competent rabbi to take care of it. He sells all your chametz to a non- Jew just before Passover and then buys it back as soon as the holiday is over. Just one hour after Passover ends, you can already break out that single malt for a l chaim. Passover-ize Your Pantry In the kitchen, going chametz-free for eight days means a major overhaul. If Some Examples of Chametz You Might Not Have Thought Of: Breakfast Cereals Pasta Crackers Cake Mixes Licorice Beer Whiskey Vodka Vinegar Soya Drinks Some Favorite Lurks for Chametz: Coat Pockets (especially the children s) Attaché Cases Backpacks Glove Compartment Under Cushions Kitchen Crevices Top Desk Drawers Cracks in Chairs and Tables Toys Pocketbooks you ve never done this before, call up an expert. You re going to:, Lock up the food and dishes that you use the rest of the year., Do a kosherizing job on counters, tables, sinks, oven and stovetop to purge them of whatever chametz they ve absorbed through heat and/or soaking., Kosherize pots, pans and cutlery that you d like to use for Passover or buy seasonal replacements., Restack those empty shelves with Passover delights and yummies. Hit the Aisles! Any processed food you eat on Passover needs kosher supervision. Today, that s no big deal the supermarkets are filled with Kosher for Passover products. There s also plenty of information at sites like For a complete guide to making your house kosher for Passover, along with a storehouse of knockout recipes, get your hands on The Spice and Spirit of Kosher for Passover Cooking (LWO, 2003) available at most Jewish bookstores. You can also contact us with any questions you may have. Fruits, vegetables and all things raw and unprocessed are Kosher for Passover. One way to plan is to go real healthy for eight days and cook everything from scratch. <5,

Then, one half-hour after sunset, gather the family and say the blessing together: Baruch Atta Ado-nai Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam, Asher Kidishanu B mitzvotav V tzivanu Al Biur Chametz Blessed are You,

6 < Search, Burn & Disown, On the night before Passover, we preform the search-and-destroy ritual, a.k.a. bedikas chametz. Roll ten pieces of Chametz tightly into paper wrappings and place them around the house (make sure you keep a list). Get some paper bags, candles, wooden spoons and feathers. Then, one half-hour after sunset, gather the family and say the blessing together: Baruch Atta Ado-nai Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam, Asher Kidishanu B mitzvotav V tzivanu Al Biur Chametz Blessed are You, G-d, our Lord, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with His mitzvahs and commanded us concerning the elimination of Chametz. Now spread out to scour every nook and cranny of the house for those nefarious crumbs, crusts and cheerios as well as the ten pieces you placed armed with the candles. Don t forget the car, as well. All incriminating evidence is swept into a paper bag with a feather. When you re done, wrap up the entire package securely into a single paper bag, along with the feathers and wooden spoon. Then say: All leaven or anything leavened which is in my possession, which I have neither seen nor removed, and about which I am unaware, shall be considered naught and ownerless as the dust of the earth. The next morning, after eating whatever you ve put aside for your final farewells to Chametz, make a bonfire and burn the entire paper bag along with any other remaining Chametz. (See the attached chart for the final time for doing this in our locale.) Say the following: All leaven or anything leavened which is in my possession, whether I have seen it or not, whether I have observed it or not, whether I have removed it or not, shall be considered naught and ownerless as the dust of the earth. <6,

How To Make a < Great Passover Seder, The night before we left Egypt, families sat together, eating matzah and bitter herbs, telling their wideeyed children of the promise made to their forefathers

7 How To Make a < Great Passover Seder, The night before we left Egypt, families sat together, eating matzah and bitter herbs, telling their wideeyed children of the promise made to their forefathers and excitedly describing how it was all about to come true. And then, at midnight, the liberation began. Today, over three millennia later, we are the grandchildren several hundred times over, still gathering over the same food, telling the same stories, and anticipating even a bigger liberation from our headaches, from our slavery to materialism, from our spiritual slumber, and from the nasty, messy state of the world. Look, it worked the first time. The Script The script for the Seder, along with all the instructions you ll need, is contained in a book called a Haggadah. Make sure you choose a traditional Haggadah. You want to connect with the experience of generations, transcending the boundaries of time and place. The details of the Haggadah were formulated over the ages by sages well-versed in the secret wisdom of the Kabbalah. A nuance here, a seemingly trivial custom there all have layers upon layers of inner meanings, some of which we have been told, and some of which we have yet to explore. The Characters That s you. The Haggadah is not a spectator sport. You are the experience. Actually, the Haggadah speaks to four kinds of participants: 1The wise child is always trying to understand on deeper and deeper levels. 2The morally-challenged child needs to be convinced that any of this is relevant to him. 3The simple child is always excited and amazed by the experience. 4The inquisitively-challenged child needs to be kept entertained with exciting stories and gimmicks. 5Nowadays we encounter a fifth child the one who isn t there, because he doesn t even know that there is a Seder. When we left Egypt, we became a single people, all responsible for one another. So if you know one of those number fives, pull him in and give him a taste of his delicious heritage. <7,

The easiest way to make a great Passover Seder is to go to one. The planet s largest and highest Seder takes place in Katmandu, Nepal. In 2006, over 1500 people participated.

We learn from them to be amazed, inquisitive, and in tune with the beauty of our inheritance.

8 The easiest way to make a great Passover Seder is to go to one. The planet s largest and highest Seder takes place in Katmandu, Nepal. In 2006, over 1500 people participated. Children play a very important role at the Seder. We do whatever we can to keep them awake and engaged as long as possible. We learn from them to be amazed, inquisitive, and in tune with the beauty of our inheritance. The Rituals The Haggadah is like a how-to-guide, and organizes the entire Seder in to fifteen distinct steps. These are the core features of the Seder, which you absolutely must not miss. When to Begin Start your Seder about 40 minutes after candle lighting time. See page 11. Prayers and Blessings Practically every time we eat or drink during the Seder, we recite special blessings and prayers. See your Haggadah for more details. The Four Cups of Wine At four points in the Haggadah, a cup goes down. Make sure your cups hold at least 3.5 ounces, and everyone drinks the whole thing each time, or at least more than half of the cup. If you can t handle wine, go for grape juice it s best if you add a little wine for the flavor. Tell the Story The children ask the Four Questions. In answer, read the story aloud as printed in the Haggadah. You take turns reading, or all read together. Be sure to add relevant stories and bits of wisdom. Some families keep the kids (and guests) interested by reenacting parts of the Pesach story using costumes and props. Eat Matzah Make sure everyone eats at least one ounce (approx. half a shmurah matzah). Matzah is eaten again at the end of the meal. More about matzah on the facing page. Munch Bitter Herbs To remember the bitterness of slavery, munch bitter herbs such as romaine lettuce and horseradish. Bring it all Together Combine some matzah and bitter herbs, and eat a bitter matzah sandwich. Seder Feast Enjoy a festive holiday dinner. Grace after Meals and Songs of Praise Thanking G-d for his kindness is an integral part of the Seder. Stay up singing and telling stories The illumination of the Pesach Seder radiates continuously. We don t just tell the story we taste it. Each food we eat or drink makes us feel a part of the experience of the Exodus. Bitter Herbs = Slavery, Matzah = Liberation, Wine = Freedom <8,

9 < How To Do Matzah, mitzvah in mind. Machines don t have minds. Matzah is the only mitzvah we have today that you actually eat and digest. According to the Kabbalah, eating matzah has a profound effect on the soul. So you want to make sure you get the real thing. The Real Thing Not all matzah is created equal. There s Year-round matzah: Not kosher for Passover under any conditions. Matzah made with fruit juice or eggs: Only for Passover if absolutely necessary. But not for the Seder. Machine matzah: Generally okay, but for the Seder you want somthing made with the Shmurah matzah: Matzah made from flour that was guarded from any moisture from the time of harvest until it arrives in your mouth, all for the sake of the mitzvah. Almost the ultimate matzah, except for one detail Hand-made Shmurah matzah: For the Seder, you want Matzah that was made specifically for the mitzvah of eating matzah at the Seder and we haven t yet invented machines that can have that in mind. The ultimate matzah is made by hand in a bakery where everyone yells out, For the sake of the mitzvah of matzah! before kneading, rolling or baking the dough. Contact us for details. <9,

After that come four intermediate days. We only do that work which is absolutely necessary. Keep the wine flowing it s a custom to drink a cup of wine on each day of Passover.

10 < The Rest of Passover, You ve had two Seders and you re stuffed with matzah. But the fun s not over. Here s what s in store: Keep on Crunchin On the first two days of Passover, we do no mundane work (something like Shabbat, except that we can cook and carry things outdoors). After that come four intermediate days. We only do that work which is absolutely necessary. Keep the wine flowing it s a custom to drink a cup of wine on each day of Passover. And don t forget the matzah that s what Passover is all about. Grand Finale On the last two days of Passover, we are forbidden to do work, just like on the first two days. Splitting the Sea The seventh night of Passover is the night of the Great Splitting of the Red Sea. We try to stay up that night, just as we did the very first time, speaking wise words of Torah and telling more stories. Countdown You can take a slave out of slavery, but it s a lot harder to take the slavery out of the slave. That s why the Exodus didn t really end until the Jewish People received the Torah at Mount Sinai the ultimate liberating experience. From the time we left Egypt, we counted anxiously toward that day forty-nine days in all. Since then, we do a replay every year. We begin on the second night of Passover and count the days and weeks. Each day represents a higher step in spiritual preparation for the ultimate high that comes on the Festival of Shavuot. Yizkor On the 8th day of Passover, after the Torah reading, we recite Yizkor, a memorial service for the souls of the departed. We pledge charity on behalf of parents and beloved ones. Moshiach s Feast The final day of Passover is all about the final liberation, the one that s yet to happen (as of this printing). To celebrate, the Baal Shem Tov would make another Seder. He called it The Feast of Moshiach. With another four cups of wine. It usually starts shortly before sunset. <10,

Delegation for Sale of Chametz Fill-out this Sale of Chometz form and mail to Operation MitzvahShare 1343 East 31 St.

I*, fully empower and permit Rabbi Yoseph Vigler to act on my behalf to sell all Chametz/ mixtures of Chametz owned by me, as defined by the Torah and Rabbinic Law, particularly at the address/es

City/State/Zip Business Address Suite City/State/Zip Signature Date *husband and wife, specify names. Must be signed by head of household, and preferably by all parties.

11 Delegation for Sale of Chametz Fill-out this Sale of Chometz form and mail to Operation MitzvahShare 1343 East 31 St., Brooklyn, NY 11210, or fax (all forms must be received by April 11, :00 pm). I*, fully empower and permit Rabbi Yoseph Vigler to act on my behalf to sell all Chametz/ mixtures of Chametz owned by me, as defined by the Torah and Rabbinic Law, particularly at the address/es listed below, & elsewhere. This power is in conformity with all Torah, Rabbinic and Civil laws. Residence Address Apt. City/State/Zip Business Address Suite City/State/Zip Signature Date *husband and wife, specify names. Must be signed by head of household, and preferably by all parties. < Dates & Times, for New York City Sunday, April 1 Formal search for Chametz after nightfall Monday, April 2 Fast of the First Born Eat Chametz until 10:51 am Burn Chametz before 11:55 am Light Candles at 7:03 pm Say Blessings 1& 2 Tuesday, April 3 Light Candles* after 8:03 pm Say Blessings 1& 2 Wednesday, April 4 Yom Tov Ends at 8:04 pm * Light only from a pre-existing flame. Friday, April 6 Light Shabbat Candles at 7:07 pm Say Blessings 3 Saturday, April 7 Shabbat Ends at 8:07 pm Sunday, April 8 Light Candles at 7:09 pm Say Blessing 1 Monday, April 9 Light Candles* after 8:10 pm Say Blessing 1 Tuesday, April 10 Yizkor Memorial Services Yom Tov Ends at 8:11 pm Candle Lighting Blessings 1Baruch Atah Ado-noi Elo-hei-nu Melech Ha-olam Asher Ki-de-sha-nu Be-mitz-vo-tav Ve-tzi-vanu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Yom Tov. 2Baruch Atah Ado-noi Elo-hei-nu Melech Ha-olam She-heh-che-yah-nu Ve-kiye-ma-nu Ve-hi-gi-ah-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh. 3Baruch Atah Ado-noi Elo-hei-nu Melech Ha-olam Asher Ki-de-sha-nu Be-mitz-vo-tav Ve-tzi-vanu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Shabbat Kodesh. Everything for Passover is just a click away

bsc, napj,u ahjhu suhstuuhay bkc g r j fxku vw,ax z kg b rw sus ci rw anutk akuo JOIN US FOR AN ENCHANTING PASSOVER SEDER Enjoy an in-depth Hebrew/English Passover experience, with

D First Seder Night: Monday, April 2, 7:30pm Explore the Kabalistic insight on the number four: Four cups of wine, four sons, four questions and four types of freedom.

12 bsc, napj,u ahjhu suhstuuhay bkc g r j fxku vw,ax z kg b rw sus ci rw anutk akuo JOIN US FOR AN ENCHANTING PASSOVER SEDER Enjoy an in-depth Hebrew/English Passover experience, with plenty of translation and an abundance of commentary. D First Seder Night: Monday, April 2, 7:30pm Explore the Kabalistic insight on the number four: Four cups of wine, four sons, four questions and four types of freedom. Second Seder Night: Tuesday, April 3, 8:00pm Experience the liberation and freedom of Passover. Discover the Seder s relevance to today s modern Jew. D Please call MitzvahShare at: RabbiVigler@MitzvahShare.org Please RSVP by March EAST 31 ST. Brooklyn, NY

Got Matzah? Looking for a Passover Seder? Join Chabad Lubavitch of Yourtown

Got Matzah? Looking for a Passover Seder? Join Chabad Lubavitch of Yourtown Dear Friend You are the next link in the chain. Passover is the most ancient of all rituals in the Western world. It has been