Blaise Pascal(1623–1662) One of the basic principles in Jewish faith is that humans will never be able to fully comprehend the reasons for the Creator’s actions. Included in this belief is the idea that Mitzvot are performed not because we understand the reasons behind them, but because we are committed to performing the command of the Almighty. Nevertheless, throughout the ages rabbis have attempted to add some flavor (Taam in Hebrew) to the Mitzvot, by offering some kind of rational explanation for the Mitzvot in order to make it easier for the Jew to fulfill his task. With this in mind I would like to share the following story with you.
During the seventeenth century there lived a French mathematician, physicist, and religious philosopher by the name of Blaise Pascal. One night, Pascal was traveling by carriage through Paris. As he was crossing a bridge, the horses plunged over the parapet and the carriage nearly followed them. Fortunately, the reins broke and the coach hung halfway over the edge. Pascal emerged unscathed. The sensitive philosopher, terrified by the nearness of death, fainted away and remained unconscious for some time. Upon recovering, Pascal recorded the experience in a brief note. He carefully sewed it into his coat, and always transferred it whenever he changed clothes.
When I first read of this event, I was reminded of the Mitzvah of Tefillin. The Tefillin (phylacteries) contain a parchment, on which it is written, “Remember this day on which you departed from Egypt from the house of bondage, for with a strong hand Hashem removed you from here.” This Mitzvah represents precisely the same theme as the above story.
It is reasonably normal for a person to be emotionally affected by a life altering event and to always want to hold a memento close to his heart, reminding him of the incident. This same desire applies to the Jew who experienced the awesome event of the exodus from Egypt.
When the Jew sits down at the table on Passover night and, while reclining, declares that this is the Zman Cherutainu, the season of our freedom, he must not only utter it as an historical fact but must actually feel that he is going through the process of redemption. For the Jew, the exodus from Egypt, although it occurred over three thousand years ago, must be viewed as a life altering event, a story that a person would want to place near his heart so that he can constantly remember the kindness that was bestowed upon him by his Creator.
A successful Passover night is one that makes an impression on the soul and leaves the person with a feeling and emotion of spiritual liberation. As the holiday comes to an end, the individual, who lived and experienced this exodus, desires a memento that will remind him of his life altering event. With his renewed understanding that the exodus from Egypt is a personal experience he will value the Mitzvah of Tefillin with new appreciation.
Wishing you a kosher and happy Pesach
Yirmiya Milevsky
