25 Years in Skokie! 152 Years Serving Chicagoland!

THE BETH HAMEDROSH HAGODOL

KESSER MAARIV ANSHE LUKNIK NEWSLETTER
NISSAN / IYAR 5779
APRIL / MAY / JUNE 2019 www.KesserMaariv.org
Stay Updated on Facebook @KesserMaariv Twitter @Kesser Maariv Shiurim at KesserMaariv.pododmatic.com áñØã
UPCOMING EVENTS & DATES TO REMEMBER
REMEMBER TO SELL YOUR CHAMETZ !!! Please show the world our love for Eretz Yisrael, the place
Pesach begins on the night of April 19h!!! Any chametz where the Divine presence rests.
not sold before Passover will have to be disposed of in a Yom Yerushalayim
proper manner even after Passover. While it is preferable to 28 Iyar, the 52nd anniversary of the reunification of
sell your chametz in person, in response to those who have Jerusalem in the Six Day War, is on Sunday June 2nd.
requested a written authorization because of their inability Graduation (& Yom Ha’atzmaut) Kiddush
to come in, a form has been included in this newsletter. The We will have a kiddush luncheon on Shabbat June 1st for
form must be received by the Rabbi no later than Sunday our graduates & Yom Ha’atzmaut. If you would like to
April 14th. Sale of Chametz form is on the back cover. sponsor, please contact Saretta Lazovsky at
cRc & OU Passover Guides are available at the shul. lazovsky@juno.com or 847-676-0556.
PESACH PULLOUT SECTION INSIDE! Shavuot
Pre-Pesach Shiurim Shavuot begins immediately after Shabbat on Saturday night
Haggadah Shiur - Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik TBA June 8. We will have learning all night long, and early
Original Explanations and Themes of the Haggadah Shacharit at 4:35 am in addition to the 8:45 am minyan.
Shabbat Hagodol Drasha - Rabbi Louis Lazovsky Yizkor will be recited on Monday June 10 at about 10:45 am
Shabbat, April 13 at 5:30 pm Halacha and Hashkafa Partners in Torah
Laws of Pesach - Rabbi Benzie Kesser Maariv is proud to host “Partners” on Mondays from
Wednesday, April 10 at 7:35 pm (after Maariv) 8-9:00pm. Men and women are invited to come learn Torah
Hagalas Kaylim at Kesser Maariv on Sunday April 14 with a partner, and hear short inspirational remarks at the
from 7:30pm-9:00 pm! end. Refreshments are served.
Passover Yizkor Parsha Podcasts / Social Media
We will recite the Yizkor memorial service on Shabbat, Rabbi Louis Lazovsky's morning Vorts on the Parsha are
April 27th at about 10:30 am. available as podcasts at KesserMaariv.podomatic.com (a
Talmud Class on Wednesday Night link is on our homepage, www.KesserMaariv.org).
Rabbi Benzie's Wednesday Night Shiur is studying the Facebook: Fb.me/Kesser Maariv Twitter: @KesserMaariv
seventh chapter of Gemara Brachos - laws of Grace After Stop By the Shul to...
Meals! Shiur meets Wednesday after Maariv, and is open to • Pick up a Kesser Maariv Pushke (Tzedaka Box).
men and women of all levels. • Borrow books from our Lending Library, located on the
Daily Mincha-Maariv Has Resumed! south side of the Social Hall (for members only).
Weekday Shacharit is at 6:00 am. • Borrow Shiurim from the Tape Lending Library
Sunday–Thursday, Mincha-Maariv about 10 minutes E-mail List
before sundown. To receive our emails, please send an e-mail to
Yom Hashoah bhhkmal@yahoo.com indicating that you wish to be placed
Yom Hashoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day, correspond- on the e-mail list. We are happy to have more than one e-
ing to Thursday, May 2, is the day that we remember and mail address per family.
pay tribute to those sacred Kedoshim who went to their Rent the Shul for Your Simcha
eternal rest sanctifying the name of the Almighty in the For information, please call Ben Zion Lazovsky at the Shul
ultimate act of Kiddush Hashem. May their memory forever office at (847) 679-9800. Also, book you child’s Bar/Bat
be a blessing. Hashem Yikom Damam. Mitzvah in the Shul calendar! Contact Judy Whisler at
Rabbi Meyer Juzint’s Books j5awhisler@aol.com
These books - Mussar on Parsha and an amazing Holocaust Misheberach List
memoir written by a teacher of Rabbi Louis Lazovsky and If you have names for a misheberach, please send them to
a friend of Kesser Maariv, are available for purchase from the shul office or e-mail to bhhkmal@yahoo.com.
the office, and from www.kessermaariv.org and Amazon. Happy Day Cards & Standings
Nechamas Meyer is $25 and Chain of Miracles is $20. Beautiful All-Occasion Cards are available for purchase
Yom Ha’atzmaut - Israel Independence Day from the office for $1.50 each or 13 cards for $18. If you
This year, Yom Ha’atzmaut, 5 Iyar, falls on Friday, May would like us to send a card for you for $2, or join the
th th standings, please contact the office at (847) 679-9800.
10 . In Israel they will observe it on Thursday May 9 .
 PAST EVENTS
Tree of Life - We thank those who bought leaves on the
Etty Rubinow Tree of Life during Shevat.
Food Drive for ARK - Yasher Koach to Larry Weinger for
again chairing the Food Drive for the ARK food pantry.
Thanks to everyone who brought items for the ARK.
Purim - Yasher Koach to Rabbi Benzie for reading the
Megila three times, and to Larry & Judy Weinger for
organizing the Purim Seudah.
Adele Goldblum Women’s Council
Upcoming Events.
Pesach Project - See inside back cover for details on buying
items for families in need.
Women’s Shalashudos - Our first Women’s Shalashudos
of the spring/summer season will be announced soon. Stay
tuned for more details.
Past Events
Thanks to Cookie Goldrich, Brenda Kahn, Larry Weinger,
Sharon Friedman, Carmella Bega and Larry Rosen for
serving at Café ARK on March 6th; and to Brenda Kahn,
Larry Weinger and Larry Rosen for serving on February 6th.
Congregation B.H.H. Kesser Maariv A.L.
4341 W. Golf
Skokie, IL 60076 Fb.me/KesserMaariv
(847) 679-9800 twitter.com/KesserMaariv
fax (847) 679-5041 KesserMaariv.podomatic.com
e-mail: bhhkmal@yahoo.com
www.KesserMaariv.org
Rabbi Louis A. Lazovsky
Steven D. Goldrich, President
Rabbi Ben Zion Lazovsky,
Associate Rabbi & Executive Director
GOOD & WELFARE
Mazel Tov to: Maury & Tina Pressburger on the birth of a
granddaughter, Lena Miriam, born to Eli & Avital
Pressburger in Israel...Gilda Allswang on the birth of a
great-grandson, Shmuel Allswang, in Israel...Rabbi Dr.
Pinchas & Pauline Eisenbach on the engagement of their
daughter Mimi to Meir Perry of Jerusalem...Dr. Ed Kaplan
on his engagement to Lisa Weider...Joe & Iris Fagan on the
engagement of their son Avi to Yael Schwartz...Dan & Faith
Harris on the marriage of their son Mike to Nessa
Spector...Natalie & Oleg Meerovich on the birth of a
granddaughter, Liv Abigail...Danny & Adina Torchman on
the engagement of their son Ben.
Refua Shleima to: Shelley Schwartz, Alvin J. Goodman,,
Alan Slodki.
Thank you to our recent Kiddush Sponsors: Marlyn &
Leonard Fensterheim; Jeff & Mila Zaretsky; Lazovsky
family; Howard & Barbara Pomper; and anonymous
sponsors.
Thank you to our recent Seudat Shlisheet Sponsors:
Lazovsky and Allswang families; Aron Lavon; Mike
Wishner; Arkady & Ellen Kats; Jeff & Eleanor Greenspan;
Marika & Ed Nissan; and anonymous sponsors.
To sponsor a Kiddush or Seudat Shlisheet, please
contact the office, or Judy Whisler at j5awhisler@aol.com.
D’VAR TORAH
Information about the Four Special Torah Readings was
sent out in the previous newsletter.
Shabbat Hagodol - April 13th is Shabbat Hagodol.
It always takes place the Shabbat before Passover. The
message of this Shabbat is the maturity of the Jewish people
in their slaughtering a sheep, the primary Egyptian deity, as
the Korban Pesach, which led to their deliverance.
The Omer, or period of counting 49 days between
Passover and Shavuot, is a solemn period when twenty four
thousand students of Rabbi Akiva, all rabbis and leaders of
Israel, passed away. We begin counting (“Sfira”) the night
of April 20th. One should count after sunset. If one forgot
to count at night, count the next day without reciting the
blessing. If one forgot the entire day, the blessing may not
be recited for the rest of the Omer, even if one counts at
night. During this time we refrain from celebrating
weddings, having haircuts, purchasing new clothing and
hearing live music. On the 33rd day of the counting, known
as Lag B’Omer, this year corresponding to Thursday, May
23rd, the students did not die. As a result, it is a day of joy
and celebration. Marriages, which are ordinarily prohibited
during the sefira period, are permitted on Lag B’Omer, and
field trips and outings take place. In Israel, the day is
marked by the bonfires and pilgrimages are made to the
grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, whose Yahrzeit is on
Lag B’Omer. Shavuot begins on Saturday evening June 8th
and ends on Monday evening June 10th.
PASSOVER INFORMATION
MAOT CHITTIM
Passover is a time of the year when we remember those who
are not as fortunate as others. The "Shulchan Aruch - Code
of the Jewish Law" reminds us of our obligation to help all
Jews celebrate Passover, our festival of freedom. Please
give generously to those in need so that they too can have
Matzos, Wine, Maror and all other basic Passover needs.
The Shul distributes Maot Chittim to people who need it.
Donations may be sent to the office or given to Rabbis
Louis, Ben Zion or Eli, and they will be distributed.
"Kol Dichfien Yasay V'yaichal - Whoever is needy, let them
come and celebrate Passover with us." -Haggadah
PRE-PASSOVER PREPARATIONS
Pre-Pesach Shiurim at Kesser Maariv
All these classes are open to men and women.
Haggadah Shiur - Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik TBA
Original Explanations and Themes of the Haggadah
Shabbat Hagodol Drasha - Rabbi Louis Lazovsky
Shabbat, April 13 at 5:30 pm
Pesach in Halacha and Hashkafa
Laws of Pesach - Rabbi Benzie
Wednesday, April 10 at 7:35 pm (after Maariv)
In addition, many of Rabbi Ben Zion’s previous classes are
available on KMvort.podomatic.com:
Mitzvot of the Seder Night: Reciting the Haggadah;
Matza; Maror; Four Cups; Reclining; Hallel:
bit.ly/1R6OY7I (direct link)
Preparing for Pesach: Bedikat Chametz; How to Kasher
your home; Selling Chametz; How Matza is Made
bit.ly/22vkT5v
Thoughts on the Hagaddah. bit.ly/1pU0BEO
LIST OF COMMUNITY PESACH PREPS
cRc Pesach Fair, including Hagalas Kaylim (Purification
of Vessels for Passover) will be on Sunday, April 14 from
2 pm - 5:30 at HTC, 7135 N. Carpenter, Skokie, (also knife
sharpening and Shaatnez checking)
Hagalas Kaylim at Kesser Maariv on Sunday April 14
from 7:30pm-9:00 pm!
Hagalas Kaylim - at Telshe Yeshiva, 3535 W. Foster,
Chicago: Sunday & Monday nights April 14-15 from 7:30
pm-9:00pm. Big orders must reserve 773-727-5241.
Shaatnez Testing - available at Star Cleaners, 3704
Dempster, year-round.
Skokie’s Spring Greening on April 14, 2019 from 10:00
a.m. - 2:00 pm at Niles North High School, 9800 Lawler,
Skokie. You can drop off batteries, tires, paint, shred
d o c u me n ts a nd mu c h mo r e . Details at
http://skokiespringgreening.info/
Free Document Shredding & Some Electronics
Recycling - Sunday April 7 from 1 pm- 5 pm at 7530 N. St.
Louis in Skokie (south of Howard).
Proper Disposal of Shamos - Sunday April 7 from 1 pm-
5 pm at 7530 St. Louis, Skokie, (charge based on volume).
Shamos should not be brought to Kesser Maariv. Note:
Likutei Pshatim (and similar publications) may be double-
bagged and placed with the regular garbage pickup.
Burn Chametz on Friday morning April 19 from 8:00 am
until 11:00 am, at various locations in Skokie. Everyone
must perform Bitul (nullification of) Chametz and recite the
Kol Chamira before 11:30 am.
Selected Laws for Passover 5779
Preparing for Passover is always difficult. I will attempt to
briefly cover 13 areas but urge you to either review the laws
from the original source materials, attend any of the many
classes being offered by competent rabbinic authorities,
including at Kesser Maariv, or call me with any questions.
(See laws of Kashering on next page)
1) We Search for Chametz on Thursday night, April 18
after sundown. We follow all of the procedures and
customs including reciting the blessing and Kol Chamira
(renunciation of ownership) upon conclusion of the search;
2) The Fast of the First Born is on Friday morning April 19.
Fathers fast for their first born son under Bar Mitzvah. A
Siyum can be attended if fasting is difficult. We will hold a
siyum that morning after our 6:00 am minyan;
3) We Burn Chametz on Friday morning April 19. Burning
of the Chametz will be available that day, from 8:00 am
until 11:00 am, at Or Torah and Chovevei Tzion. Everyone
must perform Bitul (Nullification of) Chametz and recite the
Kol Chamira at this time;
4) The Prohibition of Eating Chametz begins at 10:11 am on
Friday morning April 19;
5) The Seder - We cannot begin the seder until after
nightfall (8:00 pm). In each and every generation we must
feel as if we are re-experiencing the exodus from Egypt.
Accordingly, we must delve into the Haggadah to remember
the suffering of our ancestors and to learn of the greatness
of Hashem. We must involve our children in this process
and realize that each part of the Passover Seder has great
meaning and significance. In addition to reciting the
Hagaddah, special mitzvot of the night include drinking four
cups of wine or grape juice, eating Matza, Maror and a Yom
Tov meal. We must eat the Afikomen by 12:50 am.
6) First Day - On Shabbat morning April 20 we have a Yom
Tov service in Shul, followed by a Yom Tov meal. Note
that we may not eat a meal after 6:05 pm in preparation for
the second seder. Seudat Shlisheet should be eaten before
then, and will not be served in Shul.
7) Second Night & Seder - We cannot begin to make
preparations or begin the second seder until after candle
lighting on Saturday evening April 20, which is not before
8:20 pm. Recite the mini-Havdala “Baruch Hamavdil Bein
Kodesh L’chol” at that time then light candles. Remember
to transfer the fire from an existing flame; and let that
candle burn out by itself, as we may not extinguish flames
on Yom Tov. We do recite “Shehechiyanu” at candle
lighting; some have the custom to have a new fruit for the
second night. After this, you may cook/warm up food, set
the table and then begin the Seder. The Seder is very
similar to the first night’s Seder. There is a special Kiddush
that includes Havdala (known by the Talmudic acronym
YaKNeHaZ) and all Hagaddas include it. It is preferable to
use clear, incandescent light bulbs in your room as the
candle for Havdala. One should not light a havdala candle
because we are not permitted to blow it out on Yom Tov. If
you don’t have clear incandescent bulbs, hold 2 regular
candles together for Havdala and then set them in holders to
burn out by themselves. The Afikoman must be eaten by
12:50 am.
8) Second Day After Shul we have a Yom Tov meal. We
recite a basic Havdalah over wine only after Yom Tov.
9) Chol Hamo’ed begins after Havdalah and continues until
Thursday night, April 25.
10) Seventh Night - April 25 - Candle lighting at 7:23 pm
Make sure to make an Eruv Tavshillin before candle
lighting!
This allows us to cook food on Yom Tov for Shabbat, which
begins immediately after Yom Tov. A special bracha is made
over two matzot and a cooked food, commonly a piece of fish
or chicken. The Bracha is “Baruch Ata Ad-nai (G-d’s Name)
El-heinu melech ha’olam asher kidishanu b’mitzvotav
vitzivanu al mitzvat eruv.” The accompanying B’din Eruvah
declaration (see ArtScroll Siddur p. 654) should also be
recited. This food is set aside and eaten on Shabbat.
We do not make “Shechiyanu” at Candle Lighting.
That night we eat a Yom Tov meal.
 11) Seventh Day - April 26 -we read about the miracle of the Ovens: Run a self clean with the oven racks inside. If it is
Splitting of the Sea. After Shul we eat a Yom Tov meal. not self-clean it is Kasherable, but ask me for instructions.
12) Eighth night - April 26 - we light candles (from an Rangetops Gas: Burners should be on for thirty minutes
existing flame, like paragraph 7 above) by 7:24 pm, since with the grates in their normal position. Afterward, the
we may not transfer a flame on Shabbat. Also, if one wishes grates must also be covered with foil for Pesach. Electric
to warm up food, it must be on the blech (etc.) before this ranges need to be red-hot for at least 30 minutes. Often you
time. We include Shabbat in the Blessing but do not make must put a brick on the burner for it to turn red-hot. Glass
Shehechiyanu, and eat a Yom Tov meal. top ranges have slightly different details; please ask me.
13) Eighth Day - April 27 - at Shul we read King Solomon’s Dishwashers: May not be kashered for Pesach.
Song of Songs, and recite Yizkor, a custom that began in the Sinks: Stainless steel sinks may be kashered with hagala
Middle Ages in Europe. Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik feels (pouring scalding water on them). Sinks must be clean and
Yizkor on Festivals (as opposed to Yom Kippur) was begun with no rust spots. Boil water in a container until there is a
to remember family members who were killed in Pogroms rolling boil, and carefully pour the water on all parts of the
and whose absence is sorely felt on Yom Tov. sink and faucet. Cast-iron sinks cannot be kashered. Still,
Remember to eat your Eruv Tavshillin food. one must pour boiling water on the cast-iron sink as
We will have Seudat Shlisheet in Shul. described above, and additionally one must cover the
We make a regular Havdala, and after Havdala surface of the sink. One possibility is to buy a dishpan that
please be careful and put away all your Pesach utensils fits in your sink and drill a hole in it to drain (but be careful
before bringing Chametz into your house. And remember, the sink should not back up into the dishpan).
there is a big Mitzva to eat Matza with enthusiasm and Silverware: Can be kashered if they are rust free with
gusto on the First night of Pesach. There is no mitzva to eat Hagala. You can drop them into a pot of boiling water one
Chametz after Pesach!!! at a time, or go to the cRc Pesach Fair (Sunday 4/14 from
Please call me at home (847) 676-0556 or at the 2:00-5:30 pm at HTC, or at Telshe on Sunday & Monday
synagogue (847) 679-9800 if you have any questions about 3/14-15 from 7:30-9:00 pm. Or at Kesser Maariv on
these or other issues, including how to “kasher” appliances Sunday April 14 from 7:30pm-9:00 pm!
and utensils for Pesach (Rabbi Ben Zion’s shiur on this topic Anything with small holes or crevices cannot be
is online at bit.ly/22vkT5v or see the summary below). A Kashered.
Chag Kasher V'samayach, and on this Pesach, may we merit Pots: Pots that are usually used for cooking liquids may be
the ultimate redemption. kashered by Hagala, provided they are
clean and have no
crevices. For details, see one of the
PASSOVER DATES TO REMEMBER Rabbis Lazovsky, or
Shabbat Hagodol Drasha Shabbat Afternoon April 13 at 5:30 pm bring it to the cRc Pesach Fair. Frying
Search for Chametz - Bedikat Chametz Thursday night, April 18 pans and roasting pans cannot be
Fast of the First Born-Taanit Bechorim (Siyum after minyan) Friday, April 19 kashered.
Prohibition of eating Chametz begins at 10:11 am Friday, April 19 Dishes: Cannot be kashered.
Burning of Chametz before 11:31 am Friday, April 19 Countertops: The cRc Passover
Sedarim Friday evening, April 19 & Saturday evening April 20 Guide has an extensive list of
Eat the Afikomen no later than 12:50 am April 19 & 20 countertop materials and if they may
First two days of Yom Tov Shabbat April 20 & Sunday April21 be kashered. Even if your countertop
Chol Hamoed (Intermediate Days) Monday April 22-Thursday April 25 cannot be kashered, clean it well and
Last Days of Yom Tov- Thurday evening April 25 - Saturday evening April 27 cover it – some people cover it with
boards, some use Contact paper with
light adhesive and some use aluminum
Brief Laws of Kashering Your Kitchen for Pesach foil. Wh a t e ve r you use, cover it well
so that food will not touch the
by Rabbi Ben Zion Lazovsky countertop. Clean and cover your
Kashering your kitchen for Pesach is never easy. Below are backsplash too.
some main points on Kashering. Please ask any Rabbi Refrigerators: Must be thoroughly cleaned with soapy
Lazovsky for more details or even to see if your situation water. Does not need a 24 hour waiting period beforehand.
differs from what is listed below. We are always happy to Small appliances like coffee makers, Keurig machines,
help people understand what they need to do to Kasher their crock pots, instaPots, blenders and food processors cannot
kitchen. be kashered for Pesach. For any other items advice or
Most items and appliances must be clean and idle for 24 assistance, please ask me - email bhhkmal@yahoo.com.
hours before Kashering.
ONLINE EXPANDED PASSOVER GUIDE / INFORMATION AND
THOUGHTS ON THE HAGADDAH

The first guide is the Chicago Rabbinical Council (CRC) Guide to Passover for 2018/5778.
http://www.crcweb.org/Passover2019.php They posted some acceptable lipsticks:
https://askcrc.org/results/basic/passover/lipstick/

Another guide is the Star-K Passover Directory & Medicine Guide which is available https://www.star-k.org/passover.php
Pet food p. 104.

Q u i c k p e r s o n a l i t e m s ( i n c l u d i n g t o o t h p a s t e )
https://www.star-k.org/articles/wp-content/uploads/QuickPickPersonalCare_2019.pdf

Quick medicines (like OTC pain relievers)https://www.star-k.org/articles/wp-content/uploads/QuickPickMedicine_2019.pdf

Short Excerpt from Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik’s

Hagaddah Shiur - 2015
transcribed by Rabbi Benzie

Shemos 6:6 mentions four terms of redemption: vehotzeisi (I will take you out), vehitzalti (I will save), vega’alti (I will
redeem) and velakachti (I will take). Coresponding to these we have four cups of wine. Vilna Gaon goes on to say that’s
why we have four questions and four sons.
Why the four sons? There is a law “a slave has no pedigree.” That Halacha is based on the fact that children of
slaves were sold away from them. So at the Seder we focus on the child-parent bond. That demonstrates Cheirus (freedom).
Regarding the four questions – in a free society we may ask questions. In slavery we can’t. The psychological ability to ask
questions is demonstrative of freedom.
What is difficult about these four leshonos is that the medieval commentator Rashbam (Pesachim 99 s.v. velo)
mentions the four expressions in a different order than in Torah: Vehotzeisi, second is Vagaalti (in Torah is third), third is
velakachti (fourth in Torah) then vehitzalti (second). Why did Rashbam change the order? I think he identified each term
with the content of each stage of the Hagaddah. In Kiddush we say zecher litzias mitzrayim – vehotzeisi. Second is “asher
g’alanu” so he corresponds it with vegaalti. Third cup, in bentching in Yaaeh veyavo we say “vezichron amcha kol beis
yisrael lifanecha - the memory of all your nation Yisrael shall be before You,” which corresponds with velakachti. In Hallel
(fourth cup) we say “li yehoshia - a salvation to me”; also in Nishmas we mention G-d “saved us from death - mecherev
hitzaltanu.”
The four cups are identified with pesukim that correspond to specific points in the hagaddah That means part of
undergoing cheirus to Rashbam is to drink them in the proper place in Hagaddah. Why? Simple: We say “vehigadta levincha
- tell your son” about the Exodus. Malbim points out “haggadah” is distinct from “Amirah.” (Amirah is mentioned by Pesach
– va’amartem evach pesach hu Lashem) but Amirah means “to say”; haggadah is to communicate. The Jew who brought
bikkurim (first fruits) to Jerusalem starts off saying higadti hayom. How can he say “higadti - I said” if that is his first word?
Malbim (Devarim 26:13) says it means “I communicated.” Because he marched into Jerusalem with his Bikkurim in a parade,
that was communicating a message. Rashbam holds the cheirus isn’t just saying but demonstrating. Rambam (Laws of
Chametz 7:5) says we fulfill the mitzva of Hagadda not just by saying the Haggaddah, but by communicating the four cups
of wine. So the cup must be associated with the content in the Hagaddah.
 FOR YOUR SEDER...RABBI MOSHE
SOLOVEICHIK’S 2nd HAGADDAH SHIUR - 2000
Rabbi Soloveichik usually develops a theme from several
questions on the Haggaddah. In this shiur from 2000,
which was given in addition to the regular shiur, Rabbi
Soloveichik made several brief points on the Hagaddah.
I transcribed this, and errors should be attributed to me.
–Rabbi Benzie
1) What was the great thought of Rebi Yehuda who
abbreviated the ten plagues to Detzac”h Adas”h B’acha”v?
What is the purpose of the Haggadah? One of the
purposes is to teach the children. But there are two ways
to teach: A lecture which is very entertaining yet the
lecturer doesn’t say anything - the people are no more
educated when they leave than when they began the
lecture. And the second way of teaching is to teach the
listeners something new so they leave more educated. The
mitzvah on Pesach is that the children should remember
what they are taught. The Gemara at times, when it asks
many questions or mentions many opinions, gives a
mnemonic/abbreviation to remember all the
questions/opinions. Rebi Yehuda is teaching us this idea
that upon leaving the seder everyone should remember
what they learned.
1a) According to this explanation, we understand the
midrash which says Detzac”h Adas”h B’acha”v was
inscribed on the staff of Moshe. I think the Midrash is
figuratively expressing something from Parshas Bo:
Hashem said “I have hardened Pharaoh’s heart and the
hearts of his servants so my signs may be well known in
their midst” - because we needed to tell our children, G-d
brought the signs [meaning the plagues, but “signs” also
refers to the mnemonic]. It is the future affecting the past
(see Halakhic Man page 116 - the teleological view of
history -Ed.).
1b) With this we can also understand “The Torah speaks
to the four sons”- the purpose of Yetzias Mitzrayim was so
we could teach our children about it and about G-d.
2) The Gaonim (Babylonian sages in the years 700-1000
CE) spoke strongly against those who mentioned the
verses in the Haggadah without also mentioning the
explanations by the Sages. The reason for this could be
that at that time the Karaites (who did not accept the Oral
tradition of the Sages) were powerful and if someone
didn’t mention the sayings of our Sages he was identifying
himself with the Karaites.
3) The Rambam states one should maximize mentioning
the explanations of the Sages in the Haggadah. Why? The
Haggadah is dedicated to the Mesorah [transmission of the
Oral Law], and the Sages (Chazal) are in the chain of the
Mesorah - see Rambam’s introduction to Yad Hachazaka.
And this is also the reason the Zohar says Pesach is “peh
sach - a mouth that talks.” What is peh sach? The Oral
Law; the Mesorah [which must be transmitted orally, not
just in written form]. What relation does the Mesorah
have to Pesach? Pesach is about the linkage of generations
(Rabbi Soloveichik developed this theme in an earlier
shiur the same year - Ed.).
4) What is going on with the argument between Rebi Yosi
Haglili, Rebi Eliezer and Rebi Akiva regarding the number
of plagues on Egypt and on the sea? One of my teachers,
Rabbi Chaim Segal, answered because the Torah says “All
the sufferings I put on the Egytians I will not put on you,”
so these Sages wanted to say what happened to the
Egyptians so it won’t happen to us. The problem with that
answer is that not every plague was a machala. Therefore
I think the answer is when someone does something for us,
we thank him for it. However, psychologically, the more
things he did for me the less I’d thank him because
someone does not want to be in another’s debt. However,
the Torah says we must mention everything about the
Exodus, even the number of plagues at the sea and the
Dayeinu [which list things that occurred after the Exodus].
5) Why doesn’t the Rambam list the argument of Rebi
Yosi Haglili, Rebi Eliezer and Rebi Akiva in his
Haggadah? I saw mentioned in the name of my uncle
[Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik] that on the Seder night we
are only interested in what happened on the night of the
Exodus. If so, why do we mention the miracle of the
splitting of the sea if it didn’t happen for another seven
days? I think the answer is that we want to emphasize G-d
was trying to establish a relationship with us. When you
see etzba you see a finger, and when you see yad you see
the entire hand. At the sea the Jewish People saw the
hand, while upon leaving Egypt they only saw a finger.
Sometimes our later experiences give us a better
perception about what happened beforehand. So while we
saw the “hand” at the sea, it helped the Jews understand
what happened a week earlier at the Exodus. The Jews
sang a song at the sea but not upon leaving Egypt for while
they were in Egypt they saw the plagues but not the One
behind the plagues. And this argument of Rebi Yosi
Haglili, Rebi Eliezer and Rebi Akiva about how many
plagues G-d brought upon the Egyptians and the sea does
not have to do with what happened on the night of the
exodus.
The Prisoner's Hagaddah: Minimum and Maximum in
Hagaddah by Rabbi Benzie
The First Lubavitcher Rebbe in his Shulchan Aruch
Harav 473:53 cites an incident of a prisoner without access
to a hagadda but he had chumash and read on the Seder
night the Torah passages about the Exodus. Just "there was
an incident." Did her fulfill his obligation of Hagaddah?
My uncle sees several possibilities. 1. Perhaps the
standardized form of hagadda is so deeply rooted as The
Way to do sippur, that the poskim can not say when you're
in prison do it differently. They lacked the power to make
such a statement [so he did not fulfill his obligation] 2. The
prisoner in fact did not fulfill his obligation. Reading from
the chumash without the droshos is not enough. But it was
a nice thing to do. 3. It is a psak. This is what you do in
such a situation.
My reaction: Rabbi Kasher in Hagaddah Shleima
and Rabbi Ki-Tov in Sefer Hatodaah bring down opinions
how old the Hagaddah is, some of the shitos seem
farfetched. Some point out the Anshe Knesses Hagedolah
made some of the text, and that does make sense. (Rav
Yoshe Ber Soloveitchik said the text when the Beis
Hamikdash stands is different than our text. One of the
questions then was on every night we eat meat cooked
however, but tonight only roasted meat, because the
Korban Pesach was only roasted. Rambam holds there were
5 questions then; The Vilna Gaon holds we can only have
four questions, so one of the current four was omitted. So
there is not one absolute, correct text.)
Rabbi Zevin in Festivals in Halacha brings a
tshuvos hageonim that if you read the pesukim without the
drashos Chazal (as we have them in our Hagaddah) you are
suspected of being a heretic (of not accepting the Oral
Law). The Rambam also says vedoresh m'arami oveid avi
(your must expoind in the manner of the Oral Law). So the
drashos are part of the hagaddah, My feeling is that to only
say the written Torah about the Exodus does not fulfill
Hagaddah, there must be Oral Torah also, and that's why
we read the drashos and say things ourselves; that's why
Rabi Akiva, Rabi Yehoshua, Rabi Elazar ben Azarya etc
spoke, they were learning Oral Torah (some even have
girsa hilchos hapesach kol halayla - those halachos are from
drashos).
So the prisoner did a good thing with what he had,
but it wasn't complete.
Can one do a pantomime Seder? If you think of
the Hagaddah and don't verbalize it, do you fulfill your
obligation? No. Chinuch says no. Rambam (7:5) says no -
he brings the statement of Rabban Gamliel that you must
say Pesach Matza and Maror. In 7:3 he says if you are
alone you have to ask the four questions to yourself.
Thinking of the question isn't enough; you must verbalize
it. Why? One reason is Hagaddah is Oral Torah, so it must
be verbalized.
This Oral Torah isn't limited to being oral. Using
props is mentioned: Rambam — for a yourng child you
point to a maid and say we were slaves like her. Pantomime
can be used to enhance the Hagaddah if someone will learn
more from pantomime, but verbal sayings are also required.
The mitzvah of Haggadah is V'higadta (verb for tell) — not
v'amarta (say). Telling is more than just words.
The Chinuch gives a different reason why we must
verbalize the Hagaddah: Hearing those words will cause us
to feel free and understand it more. We thereby see that on
Pesach night we must have a feeling of freedom. This is
part of other mitzvos as well — like mourning or being
happy on Yom Tov. Rav Ahron Soloveichik and his brother
argued about it, though. Ray Ahron held the feeling was
internal, and the actions are external manifestations fo the
Inner feeling. The feelings gush out and cause the action.
Rab Yoshe Ber held the opposite; the actions are performed
in order to cause a certain feeling in the heart. These two
approaches are also offered with respect to Hagaddah. The
Chinuch certainly holds like Rav Yoshe Ber, that the verbal
Haggadah makes us feel free. However, I feel the Rambam
holds that the feelings of freedom cause us to do certain
actions. Rambam's Hagaddah in Avadim hayimnu says
Maarich - because of your emotions you gush and are
maarich. We must act free - drink 4 cups, recline. (Their
uncle Rav Yizchak Zev Soloveichik discusses acting free is
part of seder or a separate Rabbinic mitzvah.)
In the Gulag, Mendelevitz did lots of preparations
for the seder — saving potatoes, making raisin wine, and
saying as much of the Haggadah as he remembered. See
http://www.5tjt.com/a-prisoners-seder/. Did he fulfill his
obligation of Hagaddah? As long as he verbalized it and
mentioned Torah Shebal Peh, Yes. A prisoner in the
punishment cell is able to — not everyone can, but some
can — have the feeling of being free.
And this answers why Moshe isn't in the Hagaddah
— he isn't mentioned by name, but because Hagaddah is
Oral Torah, it includes Moshe because all Oral Torah came
through Moshe.)
So the minimum of Hagaddah includes Torah
verses and Oral Law explanations of them, and feelings of
freedom. The maximum is up to you. There is no
maximum. (And see commentators why Rabbi Akiva and
everyone spoke all night.)
FROM THE ARCHIVES: PASSOVER 1962
 How to do your Pesach Cleaning Cheerfully in
Less than One Day by Rabbi Shlomo Aviner
Rav Aviner is Rosh Yeshiva of Ateret Yerushalaiym in the Old
City of Jerusalem. He is a very respected Religious Zionist
posek. Rabbi Benzie edited this post from his site
http://www.ravaviner.com/2011/04/how-to-do-your-pesach-cl
eaning_05.html
Some of his rules are not what I usually recommend, but this is
a very helpful article. -Rabbi Benzie aka -Ed.
If you want to do a spring cleaning, this is certainly
possible, but not before Pesach – this is not the appropriate time.
Pesach vacation is for taking trips, playing with the kids, being
happy, dancing and preparing stories for the Seder...You can
take trips, enjoy yourself, and arrive at the Seder rested in order
to make a beautiful Seder and inspire the children.
A husband does not have to help his wife nor does a
wife have to help her husband. Rather, the two of them have to
clean together since this is a shared home, and it is a shared life
as well.
Children's Clothes There may be cookies in your kids'
pockets. Even the crumbs must be removed, since a child may
put his hand into his pocket and then into his mouth. You only
have to check the clothes you will be wearing that season. It is
unnecessary to check any clothes that are put away and will not
be worn now. Running the clothes through a washing machine
will not necessarily get rid of all of the crumbs. The clothes must
be checked.
Toys must also be checked. However, you may put
some or all of the toys away, and buy new toys as a present for
the holiday! This serves a double purpose of saving work and
making the children happy.
Bathroom Cabinets may contain chametz items, such
as alcohol derived from wheat. What a waste to clean it. Close
and tape the cabinets and include it in the sale of chametz.
Couches You have to check between the pillows. It is
an interesting experience to find lost objects.
Books There is no need to clean them, just do not put
them on the table on which you eat. The custom is not to check
books for the crumbs that remain in them, but to rely of the
nullification. Clean the books which you will want to read at the
table on Pesach, or clean a few books for Pesach.
Dining Room You do not have to clean everything, just
the place where people eat, i.e. the chairs and the table.
Chairs: If the chairs are clean, there is no need to clean
them. If the kids throw cereal or other things on them and they
do not look clean, clean it with a wet rag.
Table: There are two options: 1. Kashering with boiling
water (if the material can be Kashered. Otherwise...). 2.
Covering with several layers of plastic and cloth tablecloths.
High Chair: If it is plastic, it may be immersed in a tub
with boiling water and cleaning agents. Clean the cracks with a
stiff brush. It is unnecessary to take the chair apart, because
whatever is in the cracks and holes is inedible to a dog.
Kitchen This room must be thoroughly cleaned and not
one crumb of chametz left. A crumb is not nullified even in a
thousand times its volume.
Dishwasher It is preferable not to kasher a dishwasher.
You can do the dishes by hand as in previous generations. It is
also possible to use disposable dishes.
Oven If you do not have a self-cleaning oven, it is
possible to kasher it, but please ask a Rabbi.
Stove - Grates: Clean and cover the grates with as much
aluminum foil as possible. Use aluminum foil that is thick
enough not to tear, but thin enough to bend and shape. What a
waste of time and effort! The best thing is to use special Pesach
burners.
Bottom Pan (where everything falls): In general, if
some food falls into it, we do not pick it up, and it is considered
"treif;" nevertheless, put aluminum foil on it.
Knobs: Wipe them clean.
Refrigerator Clean it, but it does not have to be a lot
of work. Clean it. It is best to eat up all chametz before Pesach,
but if expensive chametz food products are left over, i.e. frozen
foods, they may be wrapped up well, labeled "chametz," stored
in the back of the freezer and included in the list of chametz sold
before Pesach. Cover the shelves with plastic. Similarly, you
must clean the door's rubber seal as well. If it is old, sometimes
it is easier to replace it.
Food Pantry Do not clean. It is a waste of time. Seal,
put sign or sticker not to use and include it in sale of chametz.
Cabinets of dishes, utensils, pots and pans
Dishes, shelves, and drawers that will not be used on Pesach
may be sealed, and need not be cleaned. There are those who are
strict to clean even the things which are used for chametz, but
one can be lenient on account of three reasons, each of which
would be enough:
1. We sell all the crumbs together with the sale of chametz. 2.
The dishes are clean -- nobody puts a dirty dish away in the
cabinet. 3. Even if there is "chametz dirt," it is definitely less
than a "kezayit."
Microwave It can be kashered by not using it for
twenty-four hours, cleaning it for five minutes and boiling water
in it for half an hour. All food cooked or baked in it on Pesach
should be placed in a covered utensil. (The glass in the
microwave cannot be kashered for Pesach. -Ed.)
Counters It is possible to cover them with thick
aluminum foil, and then there is no need to kasher them at all;
just wipe them with a rag. Sometimes it is complicated to cover,
and then one can kasher it. Where there are holes, pour floor
bleach in them and then pour water from an electric kettle which
is still boiling. It is good for two people to do this: One to pour
and the other to unplug. (See cRc guide for list of Kasherable
countertop materials –Ed.)
Sink Regarding the kitchen sink, there are a few
solutions: 1. Put a plastic bin inside. Just make sure there is still
a direct flow down the drain (and the sink does not back-up into
the bin -Ed.) 2. Thoroughly clean and kasher the sink like the
counters. (If it made of a kasherable material - Ed.)
Car You have to clean it. Take out the mats and gather
the "chametz dirt" – there is no need for a vacuum cleaner -- and
clean the compartments and containers. There is no need to pour
water or dismantle the seats. In general, there is no need to
dismantle anything with screws. Any way you look at it -- if the
chametz is accessible, you can take it out without a screwdriver,
and if it is not accessible, it will not come out on Pesach either.
A Happy and Kosher Pesach to one and all!!!
 SHABBAT & HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
Date Candle Lighting “Erev” Mincha Shacharit Shiur Mincha
Shmini (Parah) 3/29-3/30 6:53 pm 6:55 pm 8:45 am 5:45 pm 6:45 pm
Tazria (Hachodesh) 4/5-4/6 7:00 pm 7:05 pm 8:45 am 5:50 pm 6:50 pm
Metzora - Hagadol 4/12-4/13 7:09 pm 7:15 pm 8:45 am 5:30 pm 7:00 pm
Drasha
1st Day Pesach 4/19-4/20 7:16 pm 7:20 pm 8:45 am n/a 7:20 pm
2nd Day Pesach 4/20-4/21 8:20 pm 7:20 pm 8:45 am tba 7:25 pm
7th Day Pesach 4/25-4/26 7:23 pm Eruv 7:25 pm 8:45 am tba 7:25 pm
Tavshillin
8th Day Pesach 4/26-4/27 7:24 pm 7:25 pm 8:45 am tba 7:20 pm
Yizkor
Acharei Mot 5/3-5/4 7:32 pm 7:35 pm 8:45 am 6:25 pm 7:25 pm
Kedoshim 5/10-5/11 7:39 pm 7:45 pm 8:45 am 6:30 pm 7:30 pm
Emor 5/17-5/18 7:47 pm 7:50 pm 8:45 am 6:40 pm 7:40 pm
Behar 5/24-5/25 7:53 pm 7:55 pm 8:45 am 6:45 pm 7:45 pm
Bechukotai 5/31-6/1 7:59 pm 8:05 pm 8:45 am 6:50 pm 7:50 pm
Bamidbar 6/7-6/8 8:04 pm 8:50 pm 8:45 am 6:55 pm 7:55 pm
st
1 Day Shavuot 6/8-6/9 9:07 pm 7:55 pm 4:35 am & n/a 8:10 pm
8:45 am
2nd Day Shavuot 6/10-6/11 9:08 pm 8:10 pm 8:45 am tba 8:10 pm
Yizkor
Naso 6/14-6/15 8:10 pm 7:00 pm 8:45 am 7:00 pm 8:00 pm
Beha’alotcha 6/21-6/22 8:10 pm 7:00 pm 8:45 am 6:55 pm 7:00 pm
Shlach 6/28-6/29 8:11 pm 7:00 pm 8:45 am 6:55 pm 7:00 pm
If you have a chiyuv - obligation to daven or require an Aliya, please inform Rabbi Lazovsky before Shabbat.
Early Shabbat will begin after Shavuot, on June 14. Light candles by 7:25 pm and Repeat Shema.

WEEKDAY SCHEDULE
Minyan Times - Minyanim meet in the Classes
Kaufman Bais Midrash • Sunday Morning at 9:15 am: Parsha Class in the Weekly
Sedra. Given by Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik
Shacharit • Wednesday night after Maariv: “Gemara Brachos.” Given
Sunday: 8:00 am by Rabbi Ben Zion Lazovsky.
Monday-Friday: 6:00 am • Shabbat afternoon two hours before Mincha - Parsha
Class. Given by Rabbi Eli Lazovsky.
Mincha-Maariv • Shabbat afternoon one hour before Mincha - Parsha Class
Sunday– Thursday: 10 minutes before (after Pesach on Pirkei Avot). Given by Rabbi Lazovsky.
sundown • For more learning opportunities, contact Rabbis Benzie or
Eli

Malamud Reference Library – Come and Learn from any of the hundreds of titles in our library.
Lending Library – Members may borrow books from our Lending Library, located on the south side of the
Social Hall.
Tape Lending Library – We have tapes & digital files on many topics including Chumash, Talmud & Mussar.
 Pesach 2019 Chesed Project- Kesser Maariv
Help local families in need by providing them with the food items which they have requested for Pesach. All items need
to be marked with a "P" and must be acceptable by CRC standards (examples: CRC, OU, OK, Kaf K and more!)

How does this project work?

Please email or call Barbara Sachs with the item(s) you would like to purchase. Even if multiple amounts of the same
item are requested, let Barbara know how many you intend on purchasing. Barbara's contact information is:
847-679-3669 or momsachs4@aol.com. Be sure that these items have not already been purchased by somebody else by
getting the "ok" from Barbara. Purchase the items and then bring them to the Shul where they should be put in a
designated box in the social hall.

The best time to drop off the items are Sunday through Friday during Minyan hours. Other times are available upon
request. All items must be brought in by Wednesday April 10th. Thank you in advance for your participation in this
project. Tizku L'Mitzvot.

The List: 2 chocolate syrups

3 containers white sugar Canned fruit: 2 pineapple
2 packages brown sugar Canned fruit: 2 peaches
2 jars honey Canned fruit: 1 fruit cocktail
5 marinara sauce Canned fruit: 1 pear
2 low sodium marinara sauce (if available) 1 package mixed fruit
9 ketchup 1 package prunes
11 tomato sauce 3 salt
3 jellied cranberry sauce 2 pepper
3 mayonnaise - low fat 2 paprika
2 extra virgin olive oil 2 garlic powder
4 chocolate syrups 2 onion powder
Canned soup: 2chicken 2 cinnamon
Canned soup: 2 tomato 2 bottles apple cider vinegar
Canned soup: 2 vegetable 8 sugar-free jello- cherry
1 container chicken soup base 2 regular cherry jello
14 Chunk tuna in water 2 cake mixes with matza meal
1 bag chopped walnuts Brownie mix- 6 with matzah meal
1 package ground almonds 2 matzah farfel
3 regular instant coffee 5 potato pancake mix
1 decaf instant coffee 2 potato starch
2 box regular tea 3 lemon juice
1 flavored box decaf tea 2 packages of mixed fruit
 PASSOVER YIZKOR MEMORIAL SERVICES
Yizkor is always recited on the last day of Passover. This year, Yizkor will be recited on Shabbat April 27. The
congregation will continue to observe Yizkor for all who have a plaque. For those that do not have a plaque who want
Yizkor recited, please make certain that we properly remember the names of our departed loved ones. In order to do this,
we request that you fill in the HEBREW first name of your departed loved one, as well as the HEBREW first name of
their father in the space provided below. You can submit as many names as you need, just make extra copies of the form,
or write all of the names on a separate piece of paper and return them to the rabbi in the enclosed envelope.

Please remember that in the Yizkor prayer we recite that the soul of the departed should rest in eternal paradise on the
merit of charity given in their name.

Please write the Hebrew Name of the Deceased and the Hebrew name of the deceased’s father.
Name Father

_________________________________ BEN/BAT _________________________________

_________________________________ BEN/BAT _________________________________

_________________________________ BEN/BAT _________________________________

_________________________________ BEN/BAT _________________________________

SELLING THE CHAMETZ - IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!!!

Any "Chametz" which an individual desires to use after Passover must not only be stored in a separate place in the home
where it is not seen during the holiday, but it must also be considered as not belonging to the individual for that period.
This is effected by authorizing the Rabbi to sell the "Chametz" and the place where the “Chametz” is found to a non-Jew.
Rabbi Lazovsky is available to sell the Chametz at his home, at the shul or by special appointment. Please call (847) 676-
0556 to make the necessary arrangements.

While it is preferable to do this in person, in response to those who have requested a written authorization because of
their inability to do this in person, the following form may be used. The form must be received by the Rabbi no later than
Sunday, April 14, 2019.

Fill in the date, your name, home and business addresses, and sign the form.

` `` ` ` ` ` ` ` `Detach & Return ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `

IF YOU WILL NOT BE IN THE CHICAGO METRO AREA FOR PASSOVER PLEASE INDICATE THE CITY AND
TIME ZONE WHERE YOU WILL BE:
City: ___________________TIME ZONE:________hours ahead/behind Chicago

I ____________________________________ her eby authorize Rabbi Louis Lazovsky as my agent with the power of
attorney to sell all foods and items of Chametz in accordance with the requirements of Jewish Law, including leasing all
the area(s) in my possession where there is Chametz. This sale includes, but is not limited to, Chametz found at the
following addresses:

_________________________________________________Ci ty_____________State________ Zip _______

_________________________________________________Ci ty_____________State________ Zip _______

_________________________________________________Ci ty_____________State________ Zip _______

_________________________________________________Ci ty_____________State________ Zip _______

Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________