There are all sorts of Jewish books on the market. Some are
deep and complicated -- written especially for learners and
the yeshiva crowd. "Everyday" people usually do not have
much appetite for such fare because the concepts are too
"heavy" and involved. Other works are aimed from the outset
at the wide, general audience -- the material being
lighter.
Every now and then, though, a book appears that appeals to
everyone. One shining example is Talelei Oros -- on
the holidays, Chumash, Megillas Esther and now on the Pesach
Haggadah in English.
The Malbim writes in his commentary on the Haggadah,
"Ten kavim of commentary descended into the
world. The Pesach Haggadah took nine of them, and the rest
of the Torah took the one kav that was left."
Over the years, hundreds of commentaries on the Haggadah
have been published, in many styles and formats, to the
point where one might think that no room is left for new
commentary on the Haggadah. Last year, however, when the
Talelei Oros Pesach Haggadah came on the scene, it
was obvious again, "No beis medrash is without
chiddushim."
As all the other volumes of this acclaimed set, the
Talelei Oros Pesach Haggadah has its own distinct
flavor. It blends fascinating and entertaining commentaries
of all types and varieties, from many different eras,
skillfully arranged and clearly written to provide both the
"big picture" and a great amount of depth. Last year, when
this brilliant work first appeared in Hebrew, it was an
instant success. Readers rushed to have it for the seder,
especially those already familiar with the existing set
of Talelei Oros volumes.
For this Pesach, the Talelei Oros Pesach Haggadah is
also available in translation, skillfully adapted into
English by Rabbi Gershon Robinson, translator of the Eliyahu
Kitov Pesach Haggadah, Kitov's A Jew and His
Home, the Talelei Oros on Megillas Esther and
other Torah classics.
This Haggadah, in both Hebrew and English, has
everything -- pshat and drush, halacha and
aggadata, mussar, lomdus and chassidus -- a
carefully selected collection of commentaries quoting Torah
giants from all over the world - Ashkenazic and Sephardic,
Rishonim and Acharonim. Famous luminaries from throughout
history down to the present speak on each passage of the
Haggadah, providing penetrating insights and
explanations on every topic and phrase. Before the seder,
after a quick browse through the pages, one finds
fascinating, enjoyable pearls of wisdom to give over at the
seder table. Without question, the material in this
Haggadah will immeasurably enrich everyone's
experience on the seder night, heightening interest and
helping everyone to feel that he, too, is leaving Egypt! It
is also enjoyable and pertinent reading for the remainder of
Pesach after the seder.
Have at your table the Maharal, R. Eliezer Ashkenazi, R.
Azaria Figo, the Vilna Gaon, the Beis HaLevi, the Chida, the
Sefas Emes, the Netziv of Volozhin, Meshech Chochmah, Chayei
Odom, the author of the sefer HaFlo'oh and the Tzlach, the
Maharal of Sanz and many, many more!
This volume is an important addition to any Torah library,
and certainly belongs in one's collection of Pesach
Haggadah. We can only give our blessing to the author -- R.
Yissochor Dov Rubin of Bnei Brak. May Torah Jews the world
over benefit from his exceptionally skilled and dedicated
efforts.
