NEWS
Matzoh in Days of Morror:
Shabbos Hagodol Always Precedes Freedom<
by Rabbi A Cohen
HaRav Efraim Sokolover, rav of Ra'anna and a disciple of the Sabba of Slobodke, was one of the eminent Torah leaders in Eretz Yisroel of the past generation. He was a gifted speaker who related to the days of wrath in Europe in a Shabbos Hagodol address:
We commemorate 'Shabbos Hagodol' to remind us of our illustrious past dating back thousands of years to the exodus from Egypt. At that time we beheld the greatness of Hashem Yisborach in its full glory and grandeur. What do feel now of that beautiful, exceptional past, and what does Shabbos Hagodol say to us?
That selfsame Shabbos Hagodol continues on, generation after generation. It is written in Mechilta that Hashem wanted to redeem the Jews from Egypt to take them unto Him as a chosen, unique nation — and this very connection persists generation after generation as a mighty unbreakable bond which even the fiercest wind cannot shake and rend asunder. It was meant to entrench within us the awareness of 'with your bloods shall you live,' and that a Jew should give his all for his soul, for the blood of Pesach and the blood of circumcision.
This realization is so simple, apparent and acceptable in that the kingdom on earth mirrors the kingdom in Heaven. We see this even during this tenacious war and in all wars which are fought so doggedly, shedding blood not only not only of mighty nations who are fighting united to keep at bay the murderous attacker. Even small, weak nations who don't have any chance of overcoming the enemy on their own, still risk their lives against the attacker who is quantitatively and qualitatively stronger and greater in numbers than they by far, fully aware of the price they will have to pay for their opposition, yet they persevere in fighting for their homeland and protecting their independence. For this, they are prepared to sacrifice their lives.
The Jewish people also had periods when we lived on our own land with an organized government and an army. We had to fight various wars in those times.
But the Jewish people also know how to wage war when they have no country, and only have their books and their spirit. Even without physical weapons and no material power, we knew how to wage a war of the spirit. Many have stood up to destroy us. In every generation they try to destroy us. This has been our situation for two thousand years. Here and there were periods of respite, but there were always the threat of decrees and coercion. The Jewish body has been threatened and attacked. From our feet to our head there is nothing left intact.
But see the wonder of wonders. This beaten and broken body stands up to all attacks and decrees. This body that has been often given up for dead and departed, flowers up in all its glory and freshness.
The secret is known only to Israel, and it stems from the Shabbos Hagodol that preceded the exodus from Egypt, when the foundation was laid for sacrifice through Hallel and thanksgiving.
We must always remember that Shabbos Hagodol precedes the freedom and redemption of Pesach.
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