The Chametz in the Heart
Rabbi Yisrael of Vizhnitz went with his attendant to check for chametz. Suddenly, he stopped, opened his coat, and said: "Know that the main chametz is the chametz in the heart, right here."
Nature – A Tool in the Hands of Divine Providence
The Egyptian culture promoted the worship of the forces of nature. Therefore, Hashem chose to redeem the Jewish people from Egypt specifically in the spring, which is the peak of nature's blooming in all its glory and beauty, to show everyone that nature is only like an axe in the hand of the woodchopper, and has no power of its own.
(the Rebbe)
The Lack of Unity
"Not only one stood against us to destroy us" (from the Haggadah). The "not only one" – the lack of unity – is what "stood against us to destroy us," and it is what always caused all our troubles.
(Sfat Emet)
On Guard
"All the legions of Hashem went out" (Exodus 12:41). The term "legion" refers to anyone who stands guard over a particular matter. When the Jews left Egypt, they were called "the legions of Hashem" because, while in Egypt, they remained steadfast in preserving their Jewish identity with self-sacrifice—they did not change their names, their language, or their clothing.
(the Previous Rebbe)
There Is Order
The night of Pesach is called Leil HaSeder (Night of the Order). This teaches us that everything that has happened to us since the Exodus from Egypt is not random; rather, everything occurs according to a specific order, even if we do not always understand it.
(the Maharil)
Feeling for our Fellow
Rabbi Meir of Premishlan invited many poor people to his Seder table. During the meal, he asked the guests to share their thoughts. One of the poor men said: "The order of the Passover Seder is—Kadesh, Urchatz, Karpas. We must sanctify ourselves (Kadesh), cleanse ourselves of sins (Urchatz), and then we will have ‘Kar-Pat’—a cushion (Kar) for reclining and matzah (Pat) for the meal." One of the close disciples remarked: "‘Karpas’ is written with a Samech (ס) yet you are reading it as if it were written ‘Kar-Pat’ with a Tav (ת)." Rabbi Meir rebuked him and said: "Is it not enough that this poor man is burdened with the difficulties of poverty - בדקדוקי עניות -, and now you want to burden him with linguistic precision— דקדוקי לשון- as well?"
