Pesach: Chol Hamoed - Intermediate Days Torah Thought
Friday, April 06, 2007 / 18 Nissan 5767
Note: While the 'staff' - no pun intended - of Frum.org are currently on Pesach break, I saw a powerful story and decided to send it your way. We return to normal schedule next week.
The most commonly observed Jewish custom has been the Pesach Seder. Jews from all walks of life make a point of inviting their family and freinds and retelling the story of our nations' miraculous Exodus.
Pesach Seders' have taken place in the darkest times and most excruciating circumstances, as well as in grand fashion in free democratic soceity like ours.
The story takes place in the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp during World War Two.
At the expense of one weeks bread, the Jewish inmates scrapped together enough flour to bake the traditional Matzos. However, when a German officer discovered them, he destroyed them in a fit of rage.
Miraculously, a small tiny piece did survive. It wasn't nearly enough for any single person to fulfill his obligation - let alone a bunk of inmates - but at least symbolically, one privileged individual would partake of the Matzah.
As the Seder began, every one was sure that the Rebbe of Bluzhov - who had risked his life for the Matzah, and was their spiritual leader - would get the honor.
However, the Rebbe began to look around. He set his eyes on a young, frail boy who had survived years of torture and tragedy.
The Rebbe said, "Pesach is a time when we plant the future on the roots of the past. This young boy has survived years of torment and he is our future!"
And on that Seder night in Bergen-Belsen, it was the young child who ate the small symbolic piece of Matzah and not the Rebbe of Bluzhov.
Best wishes for a Chag Kosher V'sameach - Happy Pesach!
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