A Pesach Message From Head of Elementary School Rabbi Yahel Tsaidi

April 16, 2019

Thirty Days of Preparation

In the Talmud (Pesachim 6a), the rabbis teach us that we should ask and learn about the laws  of Pesach thirty days before the chag in order to be appropriately prepared for it. While the words "preparing for Pesach" strike many sensitive chords for each of us, at Yeshivah of Flatbush we are particularly stringent about this rabbinic advice and begin preparing our students even before the thirty day countdown begins!

Why do we emphasize the learning of the haggadah and Hilchot Pesach so much in our schools? Why is the preparatory process regarding the learning of Pesach so emphasized when compared with the other Chagim?

In addressing these questions, I think it is imperative to consider the status that Pesach has managed to uphold in a wide array of Jewish homes dating as far back as we have recorded. The Seder then, and most definitely today, represents the most colorful opportunity for families, friends and community to come together for an experiential reliving of our exodus from Egypt, wandering in the midbar, and entering into Eretz Yisrael. How fitting it is that on the one night of the year that the expanse of generations comes together in celebration, we hand the keys to our children and ask them to lead us through this experience. It is an opportunity that is too precious to not emphasize and re-emphasize as we inch towards the holiday.

I thought it would be helpful to share a few ideas regarding the preparation in our own homes to make our collective Seder night meaningful and memorable for our children and families.

Act it out: Test out those acting skills! Pick two or three scenes in the Haggadah to act out in full wardrobe. Have children dress up as slaves leaving Mitzrayim or walking through the Yam Suf.

Decorate the room: Consider putting up the blue walls of the Yam Suf in your entrance or even pitching a little tent on the side of the room.

Ask questions: As your children prepare for the Seder, take a peek at what they are learning so you can be prepared to ask them questions and make them feel great about what they learned.

Live the themes of the Seder: One of the important themes that takes us through the haggadah is the transition from avdut (slavery) to cherut (freedom). As you go through the haggadah, find creative ways to highlight what we are meant to be feeling and experiencing in the moment.

Be fun: The night is going to be long. Accept it! Long doesn't have to mean dull. Look through the Maggid section of the haggadah, and sprinkle a few fun things to do along the way. You can bring some great props for the ten makkot, or you can tell a creative story that you, Rabbi Akiva and company were telling about Yetziat Mitzrayim until your students came to remind you that it was time to say Shema.

Personally, I have found that sitting down to make our family’s "preparation list" is the easiest part. Keeping up with the list and making it manageable has always been the more challenging component. I have found it to be very helpful to have a Seder Night preparation list on our fridge that serves as a frequent reminder for us to keep checking in.

If you have any other ideas that you would like to share, I would love for you to email them to me at [email protected].

Wishing you all a meaningful and memorable Pesach.

Chag Kasher v'Sameach,
Rabbi Yahel Tsaidi
Head of Elementary School