Pesach Publications - Part 2: 1940's

00:01 The in continuation to the earlier installment about Pesach publications which the Rebbe published in the 1940s. We will now continue with installment number two, where we will discuss additional publications which the Rebbe prepared and published in those years. The first initial three installments of this series is based on a recent comprehensive article on the Rebbe's publications in the early 1940s by Rabbi Menachem Greenfeld in Eretz Israel, and it was published in the Pesach issue of the Kvachabad. Referring back to the letter which the Rebbe wrote to the children, which is included in the small booklet of the Simanim of the Pesach Seder, we cite it from the Rebbe's letter where the Rebbe mentions to be a wise son or a wise daughter. It is noteworthy to mention that in the first edition of this booklet in 1944, only the words wise son are mentioned. But in the second edition of the next year, 1945, the Rebbe added also the words wise daughter. In addition to the earlier publication and the p- booklet Simanim of the Seder, the next year, 1945, the Rebbe republished the booklet with additional features, illustrations which were derived from a Haggadah, which was published in Trieste, Italy in the year 5624, 1864. This Haggadah contained illustrations more than the earlier Haggadahs published, and is considered one of the most beautiful Haggadahs in the history of Hebrew publishing. At the same time, the Rebbe began preparing these booklets on all the Yomim Tovim, namely the festivals of Pesach, Purim, also in French

02:25 and in English. The Rebbe wrote regarding the booklets of Shavuot, quoting as is translated here in English, "This contributed great success and gives us encouragement to continue with this series." During the same time, the Rebbe began publishing the complete story of every one of the Yomim Tovim, the festivals. These booklets contained many facts from various colorful sources about the Yomim Tovim, plus stories, quizzes, referred to with the title Test Yourself, illustrations, and more. The booklets also contain the Rebbe's message as it appeared in the small booklets. Because of the greater size of material, much material was included more than in the small booklet. This booklet appeared not in a pocket size, but rather in a regular size book format. In the introduction to the Tishrei Festival series book, Dr. Mendel, who wrote and compiled the book, mentions the following. "The author wants to express a feeling of gratitude to the Lubavitcher Rebbe for dedicating his time to review the manuscripts of this volume, as well as the earlier publications, and for sharing his helpful suggestions and essential remarks on the material which was shown to him." We will now cite the Pesach message of the Rebbe included in the complete story of Pesach, Passover. "The festival of Pesach calls for early and elaborate preparations to make the Jewish home fitting for the great festival. It is not physical preparedness alone that is required of us, but also spiritual preparedness. For in the life of a Yid, the physical and spiritual are closely linked together, especially

04:51 in the celebration of our Shabbos and festivals. On Pesach, we celebrate the liberation of the Jewish people from Egyptian slavery, and together with it, the liberation from and the negation of the ancient Egyptian system, a way of life, the abominations of Egypt. Thus, we celebrate our physical liberation together with our spiritual freedom. Indeed, there cannot be one without the other. There can be no real freedom without accepting the pre-precepts of our Torah, guiding our daily life, pure and holy life eventually leads to real freedom. It is said in every generation, every Yid should see himself as though he personally had been liberated from Mitzrayim. This is to say that the lesson of Pesach has always a time message for the individual Jew. The story of Pesach is the story of the special divine providence which alone determines the rate of our people." What is happening in the outside world need not affect us. We might be singled out for suffering, God forbid, amid general prosperity and likewise singled out for safety amid a general plague or catastrophe. The story of our enslavement and liberation of which Pesach tells us give ample illustration of this. For the fate of our people is determined by its adherence to Hashem and his prophets. This lesson is emphasized by the three principal symbols of the Seder, concerning which our sages said that unless the Yid explains their significance, he has not observed the Seder fittingly. Pesach, Matzah, and Maror. Using these symbols in their chronological order and in accordance

07:03 with the Haggadah explanation, we may say the Jews avoid Maror, bitterness of life, only through Pesach. Pesach means Hashem's special care passing over and saving their homes even in the midst of the greatest plague. And Matzah, then the enemies of Yidden will work for the benefit of Am Yisrael, driving them in great haste out of Mitzrayim, the place of perversion and darkness, and placing them under the beam of light and holiness. One other important thing we must remember. The celebration of the Festival of Freedom must be connected with the commandment you should relate it to your son. The formation and existence of the Jewish home, as of the Jewish people as a whole, is dependent upon the upbringing of the young generation, both boys and girls, the wise and the wicked temporarily, the simple and the one who knows not what to ask. Just as we cannot shirk our responsibility towards our child by the excuse that my child is a wise one, he will find his own way in life, therefore no education is necessary for him. So we must not despair by thinking the child is a wicked one, no education will help him. For all Jewish children, boys and girls, are Hashem's children, and it is our sacred duty to see to it that they all live up to their above-mentioned title. And this we can achieve only through a kosher Jewish education in full adherence to Hashem's Torah. And then we will merit the realization, realization of our ardent hopes. L'shana

09:14 haba b'nei cherim, l'shana haba b'Yerushalayim. The Rebbe signed this letter, Rabbi M, the first name the Rebbe wrote out, second name is initial, and followed by the family name, Schneerson. We will, im yirtzeh Hashem, continue in the next installment. A freilechen Yom Tov.