Jeremy Lustman

According to the halacha, even a minimal amount of chametz is prohibited on Pesach -- "chametz asur b'mashehu". Many mefarshim interpret this term homiletically. If you want to know what a person really is -- ma-she-hu? --if you want to evaluate his spiritual standards, his devotion and dedication to Hashem, look at his attitude towards chametz. How strict is he when it comes to this Mitzvah? The importance of living up to spiritual standards cannot be overemphasized.

The Mishnah (Rosh HaShanah 17a) states: "The world is judged four times each year: on Pesach for grain; on Shavuot for fruit of trees; on Rosh HaShanah all human beings pass before G-d as sheep before a shepherd; and on Sukkot for water (rain)."

Rav Yitzchak Sender suggests a beautiful idea relating to this Mishnah. He believes that the judgment referred to in this Mishnah can also be understood as a judgment of attitude. On Pesach one is judged with respect to grain; in other words, one's attitude towards chametz comes under close scrutiny. On the days of Rosh HaShanah, man is not only judged on his days, but he is also viewed with respect to his attitude to the holiday itself. How well did he prepare? Is he sincere in his repentance? Did he make the most out of Elul, when Teshuva, Tefillah, and Tzedakah become the focal tenets in Judaism? In respect to Sukkot, the Mishnah tells us that judgment is rendered with regard to water. The holiday of Sukkot is Zman Simchatainu -- a special time of rejoicing, with the Simchat Beit HaShoeva, the ceremony of water libation, serving as the peak of our happiness. The level of one's avodas Hashem can be determined by the level of simcha that one expresses during this Yom Tov. On Shavuot, one is judged in relation to the fruit of the trees. Throughout the Torah, "fruit of the trees" symbolically refers to children. Therefore, the holiday of Shavuot is not just a time to strengthen and immerse ourselves in the study of torah. It is also a time where we are judged in regard to the effort that we put forth in getting our children involved in torah learning. Parents are the best role models for their children and have the greatest influence over them. The more emphasis the parents place upon Torah study and practice, the more likely it is that their children will follow in their footsteps.

This emphasis on one's attitude towards mitzvos is a recurring theme at the Seder table. It is our minhag to open the door when we recite "Shifach Chamatcha". Several meforshim ask, why do we not we open the door when we say Ha Lachma Anya? After all, are not we inviting all those who are hungry and poor to come in and join us at our special seudah - Kol Dichfin Yaitai V'Yechol? The Strikover Rebbe beautifully explains that Kol Dichfin does not only refer to those who are physically hungry, but also to those who are spiritually impoverished. We are, in essence, inviting ourselves to come in and deepen our understanding of G-d and His greatness. We have to exert the proper effort in trying to heighten our spiritual awareness and strengthen our individual relationship with Hashem. As Chazal say, "Lo Yagata V'Matzata, Al Ta'amin". Don't expect to gain anything without the toil and perseverance needed for increasing our Avodat HaShem.

The essence of Pesach is not merely the celebration of the physical redemption-- Geulat HaGuf -- from Egypt, but also our spiritual redemption -- Geulat HaNefesh --from a land pervaded by paganism and Avodah Zarah. That is why we are able to understand the distinction between "Observe the month of Aviv, for in this month Hashem brought you forth out of Egypt by night" (Devarim, 16:1) and "so that you may remember the day of our departure from the land of Egypt" (Devarim, 16:3). When we speak of the night of the Exodus, the term "Mitzrayim" is used, representing our physical freedom from the horrors of slavery and oppression. However, when we left Egypt by day, the term Me'Eretz Mitzrayim is used, representing our spiritual freedom.

If we are able to demonstrate throughout Magid our emphasis on going Me'Avdut L'Cherut, not only on a physical level, but on a spiritual level as well, then eventually Hashem will Himself open the door to allow Mashiach to enter. Hopefully, this year, by the time we reach "Shifach Chamatcha", the door will be opened.