A good time to start spiritual preparation for Pesach, as
recommended by halacha, is thirty days before the
chag. After Purim, in addition to all of the other
preparations, we should also start learning about Pesach.
The main focus of the seder is teaching the children.
By answering their questions and making the story of leaving
Mitzrayim clear to them, we end up reviewing many important
points.
In his newest work MiMitzrayim Gealtanu, Rav Goldzweig
gives us everything we need to fulfill the mitzvah of
Vehigadeto lebincho in the optimum form. Rav
Goldzweig, an experienced cheder rebbi, knows how to
reach young hearts. A good rebbi is more than a
teacher, he is a link in the unbroken chain of the
mesorah. Rav Goldzweig is known as a caring,
successful mechanech. He proves with his sefer
MiMitzrayim Gealtanu that his talents are not limited to
the classroom.
The sefer, written in captivating story form, brings a
rich selection of commentaries about yetzias
Mitzrayim. Among them are gemoras, midroshim, aggodos,
Zohar, Yalkut Shimoni, and Maharal.
MiMitzrayim Gealtanu covers the period from Hashem's
edict of Klal Yisroel being enslaved by Egyptians
until Shiras Hayam. Explanations and descriptions are
given for the miracles of yetzias Mitzrayim including
the makkos and korbon Pesach.
In the course of the narration, themes such as
golus/geula, bondage/freedom and assimilation are also
discussed. Rav Goldzweig also added an appendix with lists of
middoh keneged middoh of each makkoh according
to different opinions.
The style keeps the reader interested and stimulated. It
presents depth with clarity that even young readers can
grasp. Lofty concepts are explained with familiar words,
without oversimplifying them. The language is not difficult
and complicated, but to the point. He brings divrei
Chazal and midroshim that are not so well known,
so older readers will also find new insights.
The skilled illustrator drew pictures that are creative and
interesting, helping children visualize what happened. For
most children, visual aids are very important. The touches of
humor in the pictures also make learning fun. The page layout
is also appealing.
At the end of the sefer there is a full
Haggodoh in clear, large print. This way the user can
easily use the Haggodoh with the rest of
MiMitzrayim Gealtanu during the seder night and
also refer to the Haggodoh while preparing with the
sefer. Just make sure you keep chometz away
before Pesach!
I highly recommend it, not just as a reader, but also as a
parent. We bought MiMitzrayim Gealtanu last year for
our ten year old. She loved it. Our younger son in gan
couldn't read, but he kept asking us to read the explanations
about the pictures. Before Pesach, I also read the
sefer and enjoyed it. We even had to settle an
argument about who would keep the sefer by the
seder. We agreed to take turns, with my husband
showing the pictures to the kids and acting out parts of the
narration. It really enhanced our seder.
May Rav Goldzweig use his talents to write many other
seforim of similar high quality. With the help of his
newest sefer MiMitzrayim Gealtanu may we be
able to truly fulfill the mitzvah of Sipur Yetzias
Mitzrayim. May we celebrate soon the complete
Geulah.
