Shabbos Hagodol שבת הגדול
The big Shabbos. What is the meaning and reasoning for this Shabbos to be called Shabbos Hagodol? Meforshim and Seforim HaKedoshim expound on this and explain it as to the great Neiss – miracle that occurred on this Shabbos. Klall Yisroel tied the sheep, which was the idol of the Egyptians to their beds as Hashem commanded, and the Egyptians did not protest or harm them.
Another reason is, as this Shabbos is the Shabbos before Pesach, it is a great Shabbos. As is mentioned in the Zohar Hakodosh said before Seudas Shabbos, “Kol Bircho DiLeiloh ulisatoh biyoma shviyi talyon – all of the blessings of above and below are intwined in the seventh day.”
Furthermore, the months of Tishrei and Nisson are similar to each other, as both are “Heads” of the year. The difference is, as Ellul and Tishrei are mostly of fear and repentance through awe, (Sukkos is joyous, a chapter of its own - a Yid most always serve Hashem with joy, there are just various emphasis’s). But Adar and Nisson are a time that the Avodas Hashem is fully through joy, happiness, and love of Hashem. As so, Shabbos Hagodol is a symbol of the tenth day, just as Yom Kippur is the tenth day of Tishrei. It is the Yom Kippur of the month of Nisson. If so, it is surely a great Shabbos.
If so, many Seforim ask, why is it not established on the tenth day of Nisson, rather than specifically on Shabbos? Many Seforim give various answers, as it is relative to the Shabbos itself, as aforementioned. Rav Moshe Feinstein ZY”A points out that the journey through the Yardein (Jordan river) into Eretz Yisroel also occurred on the tenth of Nisson. If all of the Nissim (miracles) were to be commemorated on the tenth day, one may be mistaken that Klall Yisroel and Eretz Yisroel is Nationalism. We must commemorate the miracles on Shabbos Hagodol to realize that our goal and obligation is to observe all of the Torah and Mitzvos.
The Baal Shem Tov ZY”A once went out of the city with his Talmidim. It came the time of Minchoh and the Talmidim said, “There is no water for םידי תליטנ washing of the hands before Tefilla”. The Baal Shem Tov took his stick and hit it on the ground, the ground split open and it sprung out a spring of water. The spring flows to this very day near Mezibuzsh and it is called on the Baal Shem Tov’s name even amongst the gentiles. The waters are לגוסמfor one who has תישילש תחדק and is healed immediately. So too, the Baal Shem Tov did many wonders that were not seen or heard from the days of the Tanoyim Reb Shimon Bar Yochai, Reb Chanina Ben Dosah, and his contemporaries. All this was done with his דביקות every moment in Hashem.
Hakdoma, Sefer Baal Shem Tov Al HaTorah #35
Rav Zalmen Brizel ZY"A, Minikiyei Hadas DiYerusholayim, a Pinsk Karliner Chossid, would say at the Shabbos Seudos, "Kinderlach beit ich eich nisht iberlozen fun der Shabbosdiger macholim, der Shabbosdiger macholim zenin nisht azei vie der macholim fun ah gantzeh voch" (children please do not leave over from the foods of Shabbos, the foods of Shabbos are unlike the foods of a whole week). "Lekuvid Shabbos Koidesh!" (In honor of the holy Shabbos). He would also say "Eiyer mit tzviebel iz ah goldiner rendel” - Eggs and onions is a golden coin, At Shabbos day Seudoh. Once at a Seudas Shabbos Rav Zalmen exclaimed "Ah baal gaeivoh iz erger fuhn ah oived avoidoh zoroh (a haughty one is worse than an idol worshiper), veil ah oived avoidoh zoroh dient ein getchkeh, uhn ah baal geivoh dient yeneh uhn yeneh uhn yeneh (since an idol worshiper serves one idol, and a haughty one serves him and him and him).
One of the things that Shabbos Hagodol is a commemoration for, is when the Yidden where about to leave Mitzrayim (Egypt), Hashem instructed them to take a lamb, which was the getchkoh (idol) of the Mitzrayim, and in front of their eyes prepare it and tie it to their bed, all in preparation to Shecht (slaughter) it as a Korbon Pesach (Passover offering) to Hashem, at His instruction.
This was a great miracle as the Egyptians did not react in any bad manner, and the Yidden fulfilled the command of Hashem.
So too, one must see to it, as we approach the Yom Tov of Pesach, when we rid ourselves of every crumb of chometz, that we also rid ourselves of any form of idol worship that may dwell amongst us. It may be in various forms, as bad Middos (traits) and Gaeivoh are also a form of Avodoh zoroh - idol worship. We should be Zoche (merit) to cleanse ourselves and be Makriv the Korbon Pesach this year in Yerusholayim Ir Hakodesh, Omein.
