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“(These words) shall be a sign on your arm and frontlets between your eyes.” (13:16)

The tefillin shel yad, which are worn on the arm are different from the tefillin shel rosh, which are worn on the head. The one worn on the arm is composed of one compartment, while its counterpart is comprised of four compartments. The Techias Yisrael infers a valuable lesson from this distinction. The tefillin of the head represents the theoretical and hypothetical, while the tefillin of the arm symbolizes action and accomplishment. As long as we are addressing the theoretical, there can be more than one point of view. This is signified by the multiplicity of compartments in the tefillin…

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“This day you go forth in the month of Aviv (spring).” (13:4)

Rashi interprets this pasuk to be a demonstration of Hashem’s kindness towards Bnei Yisrael. He took them out of Egypt during a climatically propitious time of the year, when it is neither too hot nor too cold, and there is no rain. Indeed, Pesach is the festival of spring. Why did Hashem choose this specific season? Was it only so that Bnei Yisrael would have a comfortable exodus from Egypt — or can a deeper lesson be derived? The Meshech Chochmah suggests that the Exodus took place at the beginning of the season of Aviv, spring, because this season  more…

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“Because they were thrust out of Egypt, and they were not able to tarry.” (12:39)

Klal Yisrael were not able to remain in Egypt any longer. Chazal teach that if they had remained there even for another moment, they would have sunk to the depths of impurity, reaching the fiftieth level of tumah, spiritual defilement. This statement does not seem consistent with the fact that during their entire exile in Egypt Klal Yisrael continued to adhere steadfastly to their distinct Jewish nationalism. They maintained their manner of dress, and they did not change their names or language. If they had been able to hold closely to their traditional customs, why were they not able to…

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“And you shall say, ‘It is a Passover sacrifice to Hashem, Who passed over the houses of Bnei Yisrael in Egypt.'” (12:27)

It is noteworthy that Hashem’s passing-over the houses of Bnei Yisrael is the source for the name of the festival of Pesach, as well as the sacrifice offered on this holiday. If one were to look at all of the miracles which took place in Egypt up to and including the exodus from Egypt, the “passing-over” might not seem quite as remarkable.  Why, then, is it so distinctly represented in the name and motif of the festival? Horav Yeruchum Levovitz z.l., offers a profound insight into the matter. The most significant component of the Exodus, which can be credited solely…

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“But, on/by the first day you shall put away leaven from your houses.” (12:15)

The admonishment to rid ourselves of any vestige of chametz, leaven, is unique in the sense that this concept is not found in regard to any other forbidden food.  The Radvaz was once questioned regarding this stringency. His response was simple, but profound. Chametz symbolizes the yetzer hora, evil inclination within a person. The leaven is the se’or sheh-b’isah, fermenting agent within the dough, representing the power of arrogance which is the “rising” agent within a person.  The yetzer hara is forbidden, even b’ma’sheh’hu, the slightest bit. One may not accede to even the most diminutive demand of the yetzer…

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“About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt.” (11:4)

Rashi cites Chazal who place emphasis on the word ,mjf, approximately midnight, which implies either before midnight or after it. Moshe did not specify exactly midnight lest Pharaoh’s astrologers say, “Moshe is a liar.” The simple interpretation of Chazal is that if Moshe is inaccurate by even one minute, this would give Pharaoh’s advisors license to destroy Moshe’s credibility.  This is incredible!  If all of the firstborn of Egypt were to die as Moshe had predicted, but it happened one minute past the prescribed time, would that have been sufficient cause to deny Moshe’s veracity? Horav Eliyahu Meir Bloch z.l.,…

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