Shabbat Hagadol — A Unique Pesach

There is a famous Gemara in Ta’anit (29a) which says: mi’shenichnas Adar marbim b’simcha. There is a lesser-known Rashi who explains that these are times of nisim, with Purim and Pesach. But Pesach is in Nissan, not Adar! Rather, we see from here that the simcha we experience from the miracles of Adar extends into Nissan as well.

Pesach is perhaps the Yom Tov that involves the most preparation. Cleaning out chametz, preparing the kitchen, shopping, cooking — it’s a tremendous amount of activity. The to-do lists and shopping lists seem to grow longer and longer until Pesach finally arrives. And here in Eretz Yisrael, doing all of this during a war, with sirens and explosions, is certainly not easy.

Let’s be honest — many people find Pesach preparations overwhelming. And that’s even before the added “spring cleaning” that somehow becomes part of the process. The Arizal teaches that when a person sweats in preparation for Shabbat, it brings atonement. The same applies to the sweat of preparing for Pesach — especially during matzah baking.

In many Israeli apartment buildings, the electric panel is located in a cabinet in the hallway outside the apartment. My Rebbi once suggested to a neighbor that he should check inside — who knows what might be there. The neighbor dismissed the idea: “Don’t add more work. There’s already enough to do. And who would put anything in there anyway?”

My Rebbi checked his own — it was clean. On erev Pesach, he passed by that neighbor and found him standing by his open cabinet, red-faced, pulling out sandwich after sandwich from a hidden crevice. Some child, not appreciating their lunch, had been hiding it there! Indeed, there is always more to be done.

And that’s only today. In the times of the Beit Hamikdash, there was even more activity.

The Korban Pesach involved intense movement and urgency. It could only be brought after Mincha, close to Yom Tov. Millions of people arrived at once. First came the rush to the mikvah. Then everyone stood crowded at the gates of the Beit Hamikdash, holding their lambs or goats — which were not exactly cooperative. Often it was easier to carry the animal on one’s shoulders than risk it running off or getting injured.

When the gates opened, the crowds surged inside. Care was needed not to lose one’s animal. Then came the waiting, as the kohanim processed each offering quickly. As soon as it was done, people were ushered out to make room for the next group. This happened in three waves.

Then came the rush home to properly roast the korban — not just casually grilling it. Add to that all the mitzvot of the Seder, including hearing every child ask the Mah Nishtanah, and completing everything before chatzot. It was a night full of movement, urgency, and intensity.

Why is Pesach structured this way? Every Yom Tov requires preparation, but Pesach stands apart in its intensity and time pressure. How can we understand this in a positive light?

When Bnei Yisrael brought the first Pesach in Mitzrayim, it was entirely unique. They were instructed to eat the korban with matzah and maror, fully dressed for travel — yet they were not allowed to leave their homes until morning. They were also commanded to place the blood of the korban on the doorposts, on the inside.

At midnight, Hashem would “see” the blood and pasach — pass over — the Jewish homes while striking the Egyptian firstborn.

Why was the miracle structured this way? And why is the Yom Tov named Pesach, emphasizing this aspect, rather than Chag HaMatzot or Chag HaAviv?

We can suggest the following:

When Bnei Yisrael first arrived in Mitzrayim, Yosef instructed them to settle in Goshen. They would remain somewhat separate, preserving their identity. However, they did not remain there. They spread throughout Mitzrayim and became successful — even admired at first.

Over time, however, attitudes shifted. Suspicion turned into hatred. At the same time, Bnei Yisrael became influenced by Egyptian culture, descending spiritually to the 49th level of tumah.

Rav Gedalia Schorr (Ohr Gedalyahu) explains that had they remained in Goshen, the exile would have lasted the full 400 years — but it would have been easier and would have encompassed all future exiles, leading directly to complete redemption.

Instead, because of their spiritual decline, Hashem had to intervene quickly. The exile was shortened to 210 years. In a sense, klal Yisrael “forced” a change in the Divine plan.

Yet despite this, Hashem still performed a great miracle to redeem them.

This is the meaning of Pesach — Hashem “passed over” and saved them even though their own actions contributed to the situation. The name highlights His mercy despite their shortcomings.

With this understanding, Pesach preparation takes on new meaning.

Perhaps the rushing, the pressure, and the constant activity are not incidental — they are part of the avodah. By “bothering” ourselves, hurrying, and pushing through the effort, we demonstrate appreciation for how Hashem “bothered,” so to speak, to redeem us — even when we were not deserving.

We inconvenience ourselves for His sake.

Today, we are witnessing many open miracles, especially in the ongoing war with Iran. Recently, at a gathering, a speaker listed numerous recent miracles — how Iran’s coordinated plan to attack Eretz Yisrael from multiple fronts unraveled step by step. This is nothing short of extraordinary.

We responded by saying tefillah, thanking Hashem and praying for the future — for Mashiach.

That must be our focus.

In His immense chesed, rachmanut, and love for klal Yisrael, Hashem continues to perform miracles for us — even when we are not deserving.

Thank You, Hashem.

Let us strive to become truly deserving.

May we be zoche to greet Mashiach very soon — and to bring the Korban Pesach once again.

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R’ Dovi Chaitovsky and his family have the zechut to live in Eretz Yisrael, where he dedicates himself to Torah learning and teaching in Yerushalayim Ir HaKodesh. His divrei Torah often draw from the shiurim of Rav Yisrael Altusky, shlit”a, Yeshivas Torah Ore, Yerushalayim which can be heard at www.kolhalashon.com.