“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Achrei Mos – Mevorchim
Chodesh Iyar
25 Nissan 5784May 3, 2024 – 10th day of the Omer
Pirkei Avos – Perek 1
JOY OF JOYOUSNESS
On the afternoon of the seventh day of
Pesach I realized that in Eretz Yisroel Pesach was over and they were already
eating chometz. Far from being envious however, I actually felt badly for them.
I was more than happy to have one more day of Yom Tov, to say the Yom Tov
Kiddush and enjoy two more meals with my family, and to recite the magnificent
words of Hallel and the Yom Tov Shemoneh Esrei in its beloved tune. The pizza
could wait another day. I would much rather be enveloped in the ethereal world
of Yom Tov than to rush back into my mundane routine.
The Chasam Sofer (Oh’C 145, Derashos
2, p. 272) writes that when Moshiach comes two days of Yom Tov will be
observed, not only in the Diaspora, but even in Eretz Yisroel itself, “to
remind us that we were in exile, and G-d brought us out and redeemed us from
all our woes.”
In addition, the Chasam Sofer (Toras
Moshe, Pinchos) writes that when a Jew merits to celebrate Yom Tov and observe
its endemic mitzvos and halachos, he should celebrate the very fact that he was
able to have that celebration. That is why those outside Eretz Yisroel
celebrate a second day of Yom Tov. The very fact that we are able to celebrate
the holiday outside Eretz Yisroel, and to feel the elevation and spiritual
embrace of the holiday even outside our homeland, is cause for another day of
Yom Tov.
Those in Eretz Yisroel also celebrate
the fact that they merited to observe the holiday by calling the day after Yom
Tov Isru Chag (“binding of the holiday”). But outside Eretz Yisroel that
celebration is far greater.
Perhaps we can explain this idea of
the Chasam Sofer with the following parable:
An Italian businessman had to be
overseas for a few months. As the weeks wore on, he increasingly missed his
family and his home. But no time was harder than the holidays. Among the other
customs, his family had a certain family recipe from generations earlier for a
special pasta. The recipe called for many ingredients that were plentiful in
Italy, but not where he was. Back home the highlight of the holiday was when
the family would gather together and eat the pasta dish.
The businessman had a wealthy friend
who saw how sad he was and decided that he would ensure the Italian businessmen
had his family dish for the holiday. It was quite challenging, and it took
considerable effort and money to gather all the ingredients. He even had to
have a special oven constructed so that it would taste just like it did back
home. But in the end the wealthy man persevered and was able to have the
beloved dish replicated.
On the day of the holiday the wealthy
man surprised the Italian businessman by inviting him to enjoy the pasta meal.
Tears flowed from the Italian
businessman’s eyes when he smelled and then tasted the nostalgia-evoking dish.
“How happy you’ve made me. Though nothing can replace being home, I’m gratified
that I am able to enjoy a taste and feeling of connection with home even though
I’m so far away.”
In exile we are away from home. The
fact that we are able to enjoy and bask in the spirit of Yom Tov despite our
not having a Beis Hamikdash or being in Eretz Yisroel, is reason itself for
added celebration.
Apiryon (Parshas Re’eh) writes that
there is a vast difference between a physical celebration and a spiritual
celebration. A person may enjoy a physical celebration, but it is a fleeting
experience, over all too soon. A spiritual celebration, however, is not only
enjoyed and experienced at the time of the event, but, afterwards, when one
reflects upon the experience he is again happy to have had that elevating
opportunity.
This is the meaning of Dovid
Hamelech’s words in Tehillim (68:4), “and the righteous... will rejoice in
their rejoicing.” The righteous rejoice when they reflect upon the spiritual
rejoicing they experienced prior.
This is the joy and celebration of
Isru Chag. It is the joy of knowing that we have just observed a holiday with
its unique, endemic mitzvos and opportunities to serve and draw closer to
Hashem on a higher level than one could throughout the year.
By now, the Pesach dishes have been
put away for next year, and we have indeed had the customary post-Pesach pizza.
But I hope somehow to maintain the spiritual gains of the holiday, even while
somehow discarding the physical ones.
Shabbat Shalom
& Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and
Chani Staum
stamtorah@gmail.com
