We are Family!
With Passover rapidly approaching my two teenage sons are now home from yeshiva for the holiday break. Thank G-d my children get along with each other quite nicely other than the typical squabbling that any family has. Watching them interact with each other the other day, my wife and I remarked how fortunate we feel having our family.
The feeling can best be described by the Yiddish word “nachas,” a word that does not have an adequate English translation but when you feel it you know it!
This past Shabbat we celebrated my father’s 70th birthday. My entire family, including my sisters who live out of town, gathered together to celebrate this milestone occasion. It was truly a moving and inspirational experience. My father was surrounded by his 8 children and over 40 grandchildren (as well as his 3 great-grandchildren!) and we had a beautiful Shabbat lunch. The feelings he got from being surrounded by all of his kin, one which is a close-knit group to boot, can only be described as a feeling of pure nachas.
On Sunday I worked several hours as a volunteer for a local institution which holds a massive campaign prior to Pesach and Sukkot. This campaign, run by an amazing local couple and done completely through the efforts of volunteers and supported by individual donors, is an amazing display of Jewish unity. The campaign is aimed at helping provide basic holiday needs for families in the community who may face a struggle in covering all of the expenses that accompany the holidays.
Over 100 volunteers gave of their Sunday to distribute an incredible amount of items to almost 600 Jewish families in the community! Over 40,000 lbs. of meat and poultry were distributed! Over 1,600 dozen eggs. 27,00 lbs. of dairy products. 11,000 lbs. of produce. 184,000 aluminum pans. The distribution takes place over the course of the entire day and was located in a very non-Jewish neighborhood (that is where the warehouse is located). Locals who saw lines stretching around the block were asking what was going on. When they were told it was a Jewish organization giving assistance to their Jewish community they were speechless.
Coming home that night from working all day I was completely drained. Yet I was filled with a great feeling of gratitude that I had the privilege of being a small piece in this tremendous display of Jewish unity and generosity. I could not help but think that the feeling G-d must have when watching the food drive can only be described as “nachas.” Nachas from His children who care and love each other as a family. Children who can’t enjoy their own Pesach holiday if a “brother” or “sister” does not have all that they need. Children who give of their own time and money to help out their Jewish brethren.
On Passover we begin the seder with the proclamation inviting all who do not have a place to observe the seder to come and join us. It is an open-door policy. This unique invitation is mentioned only on Passover, not any of the other festivals. Why is this so?
The answer is because Passover is the holiday of our freedom. It is the holiday when G-d redeemed us from persecution and exile and made us free. In order to merit this deliverance is was necessary for the Jews to display love and unity with each other and to act as members of one family. In keeping with that theme we open our doors to those who may not have a place. A sibling is always welcome.
As we prepare for Passover it behooves us to think of others who may be less fortunate and see how we can assist them. By showing our affinity for our fellow Jews G-d will show His love for us and reward us with the salvations that we all need in our personal lives.
Shabbat shalom and Happy Passover!
Rabbi Yosef Koval
With Passover rapidly approaching my two teenage sons are now home from yeshiva for the holiday break. Thank G-d my children get along with each other quite nicely other than the typical squabbling that any family has. Watching them interact with each other the other day, my wife and I remarked how fortunate we feel having our family.
The feeling can best be described by the Yiddish word “nachas,” a word that does not have an adequate English translation but when you feel it you know it!
This past Shabbat we celebrated my father’s 70th birthday. My entire family, including my sisters who live out of town, gathered together to celebrate this milestone occasion. It was truly a moving and inspirational experience. My father was surrounded by his 8 children and over 40 grandchildren (as well as his 3 great-grandchildren!) and we had a beautiful Shabbat lunch. The feelings he got from being surrounded by all of his kin, one which is a close-knit group to boot, can only be described as a feeling of pure nachas.
On Sunday I worked several hours as a volunteer for a local institution which holds a massive campaign prior to Pesach and Sukkot. This campaign, run by an amazing local couple and done completely through the efforts of volunteers and supported by individual donors, is an amazing display of Jewish unity. The campaign is aimed at helping provide basic holiday needs for families in the community who may face a struggle in covering all of the expenses that accompany the holidays.
Over 100 volunteers gave of their Sunday to distribute an incredible amount of items to almost 600 Jewish families in the community! Over 40,000 lbs. of meat and poultry were distributed! Over 1,600 dozen eggs. 27,00 lbs. of dairy products. 11,000 lbs. of produce. 184,000 aluminum pans. The distribution takes place over the course of the entire day and was located in a very non-Jewish neighborhood (that is where the warehouse is located). Locals who saw lines stretching around the block were asking what was going on. When they were told it was a Jewish organization giving assistance to their Jewish community they were speechless.
Coming home that night from working all day I was completely drained. Yet I was filled with a great feeling of gratitude that I had the privilege of being a small piece in this tremendous display of Jewish unity and generosity. I could not help but think that the feeling G-d must have when watching the food drive can only be described as “nachas.” Nachas from His children who care and love each other as a family. Children who can’t enjoy their own Pesach holiday if a “brother” or “sister” does not have all that they need. Children who give of their own time and money to help out their Jewish brethren.
On Passover we begin the seder with the proclamation inviting all who do not have a place to observe the seder to come and join us. It is an open-door policy. This unique invitation is mentioned only on Passover, not any of the other festivals. Why is this so?
The answer is because Passover is the holiday of our freedom. It is the holiday when G-d redeemed us from persecution and exile and made us free. In order to merit this deliverance is was necessary for the Jews to display love and unity with each other and to act as members of one family. In keeping with that theme we open our doors to those who may not have a place. A sibling is always welcome.
As we prepare for Passover it behooves us to think of others who may be less fortunate and see how we can assist them. By showing our affinity for our fellow Jews G-d will show His love for us and reward us with the salvations that we all need in our personal lives.
Shabbat shalom and Happy Passover!
Rabbi Yosef Koval
