Vayikra Week Before Pesach 5785

I recently heard of a father who was asked by his children a different question for Passover. One of the children turns to the father and asks: “Why is it on Passover that we cover our entire kitchen with foil, from the top of the stove to the counters and inside the refrigerator?” The father turns to his son and says, “Perhaps we should wait until the seder and you can ask the question again.”

At the seder, as the father is displaying the matzah at the beginning, the son turns and asks the question again. The father turns and says, “You need to wait until we get to the Maggid section.” So they get to the part of the Haggadah where it is time to answer the Four Questions and the father says, “So now here is the answer. A new Pharaoh arose in Israel. He subjugated the Israelites for they had become too numerous. Moses is born, he becomes the Prince of Egypt. He then flees the country because he understands the dimension of humanity where slavery and cruelty goes against what is ethically correct. He actually kills a man who abuses the wife of one of the Hebrew slaves. When the Pharaoh finds out, Moses realizes that the leader of Egypt understands what role Moses will play in the palace.

Moses escapes into the desert where he encounters God at the Burning Bush. The Almighty commands that Moses return to Egypt as His chosen prophet to free the slaves from the mighty hand of Pharaoh and Egypt. Pharaoh refuses to believe in Hashem or in Moses’ demand to allow the slaves to go worship their God.

With each request of Moses to free the people, and Pharaoh’s stubbornness and refusal a plague comes down upon Egypt, from that of Blood, Frogs to at the end darkness and the death of the first born in Egypt. Ten plagues in all. Pharaoh finally relents, letting the people go. Actually forcing them to go. Their bread did not have time to rise as they were forced out the land of Egypt. So they ate matzah. And because of that we eat matzah and maror (the bitter herbs) and we celebrate the exodus for seven days, and in the diaspora for eight days.”

The sister turns to her father and says, “But Abba, you didn’t answer the question!” To which the mother responds, “Abba was just getting to it. Pharaoh’s plan wasn’t just to enslave the Hebrews. It was to murder every male child as he was born, so that they would not have a redeemer who would bring about their freedom. He wanted to destroy the heart and the soul of the people and in truth wipe us all out. But with the birth of Moses, the heroics of his parents, and his sister Miriam, Hashem was able to FOIL Pharaoh’s plan. So just as we eat matzah, we foil our counters and refrigerators for Passover. Now that Abba has told you the story in a new version, let’s eat.”

In the coming days, many of us will be preparing our kitchens for Pesach, each in our own way. It is a daunting task, from cleaning to covering, changing over dishes and pots and pans, purchasing food only for Passover and covering our counters in foil. But in the end, Passover becomes one of those holidays that become memorable for us and for all who join us at our tables throughout Pesach.

Our Torah reading for this Shabbat, ויקרא Vayikra, begins the book of Leviticus in the Torah. Vayikra, means and “He” (God) called out to Moshe. At the burning bush God also spoke to Moshe. But at this moment in the Torah, not only had God foiled the Pharoah’s plan, but the Children of Israel were finally able to fulfill Moses’ request to the Pharaoh that they be allowed to worship their God. They had constructed the Mishkan, the Tent of Meeting, where they could worship their God.

The opening chapters of Leviticus provide Moses and Aaron with the different sacrifices, which at that time was the manner of worship, from that of praise and thanksgiving to those for sin and wrongdoing. Today, we use our words, our thoughts and our hearts.

The opening word, ויקרא “Vayikra,” does not only mean and “He called.” Within it, is the word “יקר” “yakar,” “precious.” Precious items and memories hold a special place in our hearts and souls. God’s call to Moshe was one of those precious moments in the Torah.

Perhaps, you might remember a moment when you felt that you were “yakar,” to one or both of your parents. Passover always seemed to be one of those moments. Perhaps you might remember other moments in your life when someone told you that you were “yakar” to them, such as a marriage proposal, the birth of a child, a birthday or life changing moment. Some people tell me that just before death, they hear a loved one tell them how “yakar” they are to them. Perhaps it is something you simply feel about your own personal self, in a humbling of manner.

As we begin our final preparations for Pesach, may you feel “yakar” in your heart and may you find it in all those who touch your life. And may you be the foil that shines bright and finds much joy in the Festival of Passover.

Bring them home now!!!

Am Yisrael Chai!!!

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi K