Friday, March 26, 2021

Pesach 2021 - Better Than Last Year

As we approach Pesach in this year of 2021, it is worth while reflecting a bit on the progress we have made since Pesach 2020. 

Last year the vast majority of us spent the entirety of Pesach at home. Shuls all over the world were closed for fear of contracting the highly contagious new virus - COVID-19 which could be spread by people who had the virus and didn’t know they had it because they were asymptomatic. The Seder was not attended by extended family. Parents were not joined by any of their children, grandchildren, or anyone else not living under the same roof. 

This year will be different. But still not quite normal. Shuls are open but attendees are still masked and social distanced (or at least they should be). And some extended families will be able to get together for the Seder - if they have been vaccinated. 

We are not out of the woods yet. We have not achieved herd immunity and cannot fully return to the way things were before COVID.  But we can definitely see it from here  – if we all do our part to minimize the spread by adhering to the recommended mitigations and by getting vaccinated as  soon as possible.  When that happens the Satan Hamachshis (otherwise known as the Angel of Death) will no longer have the power he has had over the past year.  

It is with this hopeful thought in mind that I want to wish my readers and all of Klal Yisroel a Chag Kosher V’Samech - a happy and Kosher Pesach.  And to never have to live through a year like this again. As always I am including past Divrei Torah which may be  printed out and used for the Seder.

The Tenth Plague

Pour Out Your Wrath

Exodus

The Four Cups

Why are Women Required to Recite the Haggadah

Sinas Chinam and Pesach

The Fifth Cup

The Torah is Not in Heaven

L'fichach

Pesach, Matza, Marror

Yochel MeRosh Chodesh

Amen

Maschil B'Gnus U'Mesayem B'Shvach

Heseibah L'ikuva

Kol Difchin

Baruch Shomer Haftechaso

The Haggadah and Kriyas Yam Suf

Kriyas Yam Suf

Torah Thoughts for the Seder