On this day, 3287 years ago, on Rosh Chodesh Nissan, which occurred on a Thursday, as this year, our ancestors in Egypt received instructions about the observance of the first Pesach. Afterward, ביום צאתם ממצרים, they were instructed v'higad'to lvincho - "And you shall tell your son" - which is the basis of the Passover Haggadah and festive Seder-celebrations, designed in many respects to arouse the interest of the children and focus their attention on the significance of our great Festival of Freedom.
Indeed, it is not only the "wise" son for whom the Seder is so important, for all the "four types," including the one who is still too young to ask questions, must be present at the Seder table.
For this reason the Seder is replete with ceremonies, since nothing is more impressive and stimulating than seeing things in action, especially when one does not remain a passive observer, but becomes involved in the action. This is particularly true with children, but largely also with grownups.
In light of the above, and in addition to the standard instructions and preparations for Pesach, I wish to make the following suggestion which, hopefully, will make this great festival more meaningful to the participants in a personal and tangible way.
I suggest, and urge, principals, teachers, youth leaders, and all others who can be helpful, to arrange group-visits by boys and girls to a Matza bakery. The idea is to visit not a large mechanical bakery, where the children would likely be overawed by the huge machinery, but rather a Hand-Matza bakery, where they could observe the alacrity, vivacity and inspired atmosphere in which each phase of the Matza making is carried out by hand. Alacrity, which is particularly imperative in Matza making in order to prevent the slightest leavening, is also an important ingredient in the performance of all Mitzvos and good deeds, which should be carried out readily, eagerly, promptly and enthusiastically. The lesson will surely not be lost on the children.
As mentioned, it would be highly desirable that the visiting children should be actively involved in some way in the Matza making But if for some reason this is not practicable, each child should at least buy/receive one Matza to take home for the Seder celebrations, from the Matzos which he, or she, had actually seen baked before their eyes, The educational value of such a visit is too obvious to require elaboration. The lasting benefit would be further augmented through appropriate brief comments by the group’s leader.
As indicated above, both boys and girls would derive inestimable benefit from such a visit, though for reasons of Tznius (modesty) it would be preferable to arrange separate visits for boys and for girls. Actually, it would be a gratifying experience also for grownups.
It is to be hoped that the enthusiasm of the children, wherever the said suggestion will be implemented, will be infectious, setting in motion a chain reaction among other children. Moreover, in homes where, unfortunately, some of this spirit is lacking, the children could well rekindle it, as it is written, "And he (Elijah the harbinger of our true Redeemer) will return the hearts of parents unto children," which our Sages paraphrase to mean "he will turn the hearts of parents unto G-d through their children.”
With prayerful wishes for a Kosher, joyous and inspiring Pesach
MENACHEM SCHNEERSON
