Preparing for Passover?
This Tuesday TorahTutors Tidbit might help:
An adult student has been learning the tenth chapter of Gemara Pesachim. The first mishna teaches that one should not start a meal late in the day on Erev Pesach. The Gemara notes that this halacha actually applies to all holidays and Shabbat – so why is Pesach singled out? To teach that in the case of Pesach, the halacha is unanimous. Immediately before other holidays and Shabbat, Rebbi Yosi holds that one may start a meal close to mincha time (9 hours into the day). However, he agrees that when it comes to Erev Pesach, one should not begin a meal late in the day.
Why is there more reason to be stringent with regard to Pesach?
On Pesach night, there is a special obligation to eat matzah. We learn that matzah should be eaten ??????? – with appetite.
Rambam explains that by staying hungry for the matzah, we are excited to eat the matzah and demonstrate our love for doing mitzvot.
Especially in a year like this one, it can be a challenge to eat enough throughout the day on Erev Pesach. The mishna reminds us that beyond the practical reasons we might be a little hungry, there is also halachic significance – we are saving our appetite for the matzah!
May we merit to always find joy in mitzvot.
A Tuesday TorahTutors Tidbit: Real Torah, from real TorahTutors sessions.
