* Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
Preparations for Pesach are in full swing.
Here are some words of inspiration from the book, “Sulam Yaakov,” about Rav Yaakov Edelstein zt”l. Rav Edelstein was the rabbi of the city Ramat Hasharon. This is how the Rav would conduct himself during these days:
* While waiting in long lines, he would look at the masses of people and say with a smile, “How beautiful— the holy Jewish people are busy getting ready for Pesach.”
* He emphasized how much this holiday is supposed to be filled with joy. Once he went to visit a woman who was feeling frazzled due to Pesach preparations. He talked to her until she was able to calm down and understand that all the preparations must be done with a desire for renewal—with a longing to eliminate chametz from your house, your heart, and the world.
* At the start of the Seder he would declare: “I’m about to conduct the Seder as my father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather did before me, generation after generation, since the days of Moshe Rabbeinu. When we sit at the Seder, we are connecting with our holiest and most ancient roots.”
* Highlighting the significance of Pesach he would say: “There is intellectual awareness and emotional awareness. At Pesach, we take the story of Pesach and internalize it. The purpose of all the cleaning, preparations, and cooking is to enable the story to enter your heart and touch your soul.
