Importance of simchah on Yom Tov
Reasons for allowing to do מלאכה on Yom Tov for the needs of eating
לכל נפש
Future Redemption comes from level of Father, which is higher than nature, into nature
סיום למס' פסחים
Primary obligation of Pidyon HaBen: on the son (and the father acts on his behalf); or on the father (HaShem’s redemption of His first born, the Jewish people from Egypt)
תפדה
Rambam’s calculation of lunar and solar effects on the calendar and its corresponding effects in spiritual service. Yet due to the coarseness of the world, they do not exactly align
בחדש הזה
Mesiras Nefesh is the key to spiritual service of HaShem
Two physical Mitzvos in Korban Pesach have their reflection in our spiritual services (1)Shechting and (2) eating – physical preparation for leaving Mitzraim. Spiritual serving Hashem by (1) destroying idols and (2) ingesting the mesiras nefesh to become part of one’s physical body
ושחטו
Geulah requires every Jew; we must assist every Jew not be “bare” at that time, by including them now in at least one Mitzvah
To be redeemed, HaShem gave the Yidden two Mitzvos to wipe away their deficiencies עשה טוב Milah - positive involvement with good deeds (action to connect to G-d) סור מרע Korban Pesach - public denunciation of Egyptian idol worship (to remove tumah)
בעשר לחדש
Types of Matzos represent types of service of HaShem; today we operate with bitul (“poor”)
In Egypt able to fulfill Mitzvah also with “rich” Matzah, which is not applicable today when we only use “poor” matzah
מצות
G-d’s revelation (above time) at midnight was revealed in our time-bound world
Expression of infinitude: Plague of First Born at exactly midnight expresses G-d’s personal involvement in the process
כחצות הלילה
A Jew has the potential to make an effect in oneself, both in intellect and beyond - Bitul
Kiddush HaChodesh (first Mitzvah) expresses a Jew’s service - make a “newness” now in the Creation: holiness be brought into the world, and this lower world become a home for G-d
החדש הזה
Higher level of Shabbos (oneg) connected to wonders of going out of Egypt
Connecting the Exodus to the remembrance of the Shabbos, Rambam indicates the main aspect of the Exodus is the positive step of becoming free
זכור
By “conquering” time, turning it into “Jewish time” – which is part of the spiritual conquest of the Land – hastens Moshiach
Torah sanctifies all existence; the first and most general existence is time; thus, sanctification of time itself, Kiddush HaChodesh, is the appropriate beginning of all other Mitzvos
החדש הזה לכם
