04/21/2024
Pesach 2024: Am Yisroel Chai
Some thoughts to Meditate on over Pesach
In 2023, Jews from all ages, levels and types of observance from all over the globe who had never worked together came together as One people as the instruments of Hashem to elevate the red tower of evil in the City of Sin, Las Vegas. For 10 days, we observed the highest level of kashrus and observance in song, prayer, and cuisine in spite of Resorts World’s relentless attempt to sabotage our mission. They injected chometz into our rooms, dysfunctionalized the Shabbat elevators, poorly prepared our kosher, organic food, withheld quality, and even harassed our children. We did not falter for a moment. Together we marched forward as our forefathers did 3335 years prior. Hashem parted the sea and made the impossible possible. We were blessed to play a critical part in the miracle of elevating one of the most evil places in the world. The walls of the red tower of evil vibrated in Fear of Hashem. The whole world remembers what we did together.
Pesach 2024 is a different energy. After dwelling 430 years in Mitzrayim, Jews carried Torah to all corners of the world. 3336 years after leaving Mitzrayim, shadow-hiding evildoers feebly threaten a great reset - but the Cosmic Shabbat is Hashem’s reset, not theirs. October 7 was the beginning of the end for them. Evil architects employed evil engineers to attack Israel. Precious Jewish souls who were slaughtered went directly to Shamayim, and in their merit the family of Jews from every corner of the world, of all ages, levels and types of observance came together to say, “Am Yisroel Chai.” Like Paroah, Hashem hardens the hearts of Iran and its agents to perform miracles of protecting Israel from escalating barrages of bombs, drones, and missiles. Noone can deny the miracles we are now seeing daily. Technology cannot account for the percentage of success. Through Hashem’s blessing, He is revealed through our miraculous survival. This Pesach will be a global redemption.
Each of us carry the memory of the miraculous Pesach 2023 on the Las Vegas strip. It is stil fresh in our hearts. We carry the unity, strength, and love of Pesach wherever we are, and we tell the story to Jews of the world how we elevated the red tower in the city of sin by observing Pesach. Now, as One people, Jews from all over the world observe as the light of the Cosmic Shabbat continues to grow to eliminate shadows. We remove the chometz of arrogance denying Hashem’s kingship. Although Moshiach has not yet been revealed, we have not turned to a golden calf - and in that merit, we have the 10th red heifer! We are witnessing the moments before Moshiach is revealed, rebuilding the Temple, reinstating the Sanhedrine, and anointing Kohannim with the ashes of the 10th red heifer. 3337 years ago, we were slaves in Mitzrayim, and every generation since we recall the story of Hashem’s redemption that changed the world. Today, you and I are blessed to be the generation witnessing Hashem again leading His people as the entire world witnesses the Groom joining with His bride on The Shabbat lasting 1000 years.
Every year before and during Pesach, I read the following passage from THE BOOK OF OUR HERITAGE by Eliyahu Kitov.
Chometz is a symbol of the evil inclination; thus the search for chometz and its removal is symbolic of man’s struggle to conquer this inclination. Chometz is tastier than matzah, more pleasing in appearance, and greater in size. This is true of the evil inclination as well; it attracts a person to the pleasures of this world, it makes him more attractive in his own eyes, and makes him seem greater than he really is in the eyes of those who see him. This is the chometz that man must dispose of completely.
The commandment to dispose of chometz became the shield which protected the Children of Israel from the punishment that hovered over them at the time of the redemption. The sins of the Egyptians, which knew no bounds, were rooted primarily in the pride they had in their wealth and might. These were the gods they worshiped - riches and physical power, as symbolized by the ram.
Egypt … was a nation of overlords and taskmasters. All other nations were subservient to them. Even among themselves, anyone who was physically stronger than his neighbor was lord and master over him. The firstborn of Egyptians enjoyed special advantages, singles out as favorites over those younger than they. Even the lowly servants who worked at the millstones did not refrain from scorning those whose station was less than theirs. The subjugated and enslaved classes of Egyptian society did not seek freedom - they sought only someone lower than themselves so they could see themselves as masters. All Egypt was infested with pridate and arrogance. When Pharoah said, “who is G-d that I should listen to them (Shemos 5:2), he was voicing the sentiments of his entire nation.
During our 2023 Pesach program, management of Resorts World prohibited us from including the wait and kitchen staff. Like Egypt, they feared the uprising of treating “servants” with dignity, kindness, and respect. We ignored their Egyptian culture and marched forward. Last week, I was contacted by one of the banquet managers who worked with us during our 2023 program at Resorts World. He said it changed his life. He, and many others, exodused the red tower as a result.
Wherever you are for Pesach 2024, whether at a program or a simple private seder, Nurt Yael and I wish you a meaningful chag. As for me, I will be meditating on the miracles of Pesach over the past 3336 years, and praying to see the worldwide redemption, revealing of Moshiach who will slaughter the 10th heifer, reinstatement of a G-d-fearing Sanhedrine court, and rebuilding of the Temple. Each of you are in my prayers and thoughts. I miss you, but know that we are together forever - Am Yisroel Chai!
Loving Regards,
Aryeh
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