The Mishnat Chofetz Chaim Institute, headed by Rabbi Natan Zvi Yarom, surprises again and publishes another volume that may teach a little about the life of the Grandfather Kadisha – Maran Chofetz Chaim. This is the fourth volume in the successful book series 'Bemechitzat Chofetz Chaim', following 'Prayer Bemechitzat Chofetz Chaim', 'Shabbat Bemechitzat Chofetz Chaim', and 'High Days Bemechitzat Chofetz Chaim'. The titles were very successful, became bestsellers, and earned them a place of honor in the synagogues and halls of the holy yeshiva.
For a long time, the author labored to compile the teachings of our Rebbe on Passover matters. All the laws of the Seder Night according to the Mishnah are clearly explained in an eloquent manner and in the appropriate place for each law. As well as the customs of his holiness and the words of his Torah as heard from members of our Rebbe's family.
The Haggadah is adorned with the approvals of the great men of Israel. Chief among them is Maran Gaon Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, who wrote: A great and wonderful thing and a great light to the world. Also included are the approvals of the Gaon Rabbi Hillel Sachs, the head of the Yeshiva of the Great Knesset, the Gaon Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetzky, and others.
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We turned to the head of the institute, Rabbi Nathan Zvi Yarom, to understand what innovation is to the world, and to get a taste of this masterpiece.
What is the Passover Haggadah in the Chofetz Chaim?
""The holiday of Passover contains many laws and many details in conducting the Seder and observing the commandments of this night. This Haggadah is divided into two parts. The first part is a summary of the words of the author of the Haggadah. When we compiled the necessary laws according to the rulings of the Book of the Hebrew Bible. As well as the practices and words of our Rabbi in the order of the Haggadah. Over a long period of time and with much and strenuous work, we invested in arranging the laws in their appropriate place. We were also privileged to collect the laws of Passover that our Rabbi wrote that were not in the laws of Passover. And they are scattered throughout the rest of the places in the clear Mishnah. We were also privileged to bring sacred laws. The practices and words of our Rabbi that we heard from family members. We found it appropriate to bring a brief collection of interpretations within the words of the Haggadah. For does it not say in the Haggadah that a person must see himself as if he had come out of Egypt. And the words of our Rabbi illustrate in a clear and appropriate way the matters of the order that we have brought within the Haggadah. It is a great joy and a great light to the world when part of what is brought In this Haggadah, they see the light of day for the first time.
As is our custom in the other books that we have been privileged to bring to print so far, we have endeavored not to deviate at all from the words of our Rabbi. However, since the laws of Seder are numerous and profound, the reader will find that some of the laws are not exactly according to the words of our Rabbi.
The second part of this book is as we do in the other books. We have brought hundreds of articles. Ideas. Explanations and commentaries on the words of the author of the Haggadah. Collected from the books of our Rabbi and his students who heard them on various occasions. Likewise, many of the commentaries and articles brought to interpret the Haggadah. Which our Rabbi said on various occasions or wrote in dozens of his books. And we have determined their place in this book for the interpretation and understanding of the words of the author of the Haggadah. And in this commentary section we have brought the words literally.
Where did you find the holy teachings of our Rabbi that have not yet been published?
""The family of Rabbi Shechi has a host of interesting traditions that we were privileged to hear from them. We also found some from our Rabbi's students that were cited in their books.".
The explanations and interpretations presented in the book. Which ones did the Chafetz Chaim himself say on the night of the Seder?
""There are very faithful descriptions of some of the interpretations that he said during the Seder night. Or when he spoke about the Exodus from Egypt. And there are some that we have collected from his Torah words in various books. Things that concern the interpretation of the Haggadah. And we have determined their place for interpretation in the order of the Haggadah.".
What special customs are mentioned in the Haggadah? And what was special about holding the Seder at the Chofetz Chaim?
""Let us mention one example from many that appear in the Haggadah. A. made a mistake and recited a blessing on the washing of hands upon the first immersion. His son-in-law, Rabbi Mendel, remarked to him about this, and he thought that he would be very sorry, since the rabbi was very strict about the blessings, as Chazal said, who insisted on the identification of a Hasidic to observe the words of the rabbi. And the rabbi replied to him, "Well, once we observed the method of the Gra." (who thought of reciting a blessing on the washing of hands for the washing of the drink). From the grandson of our rabbi
To try to get a taste of the special Seder night in the company of our Rebbe, it is worth mentioning here: In a newspaper published a year after the passing of the Chafetz Chaim, one of the students describes what the Seder night that he was privileged to attend and be at the table of the Chafetz Chaim, and the late "Hart by the side, leaning towards the side - sitting obediently in earnest the three beloved children, the profuminker Hirschele, the frielcher Gershon'ke and the small understanding Hillel'ke. They all have often forgotten and left behind their games and Passover biscuits, and are strongly involved in the "what is changed" difficulties. They are obediently listening to the broad explanations and highly detailed excuses that the great grandfather flashes with ingenious thought, as if they would understand them well...".
(Freely translated from Yiddish) By Rabbi Mendil, attached to their grandfather, sit obediently and seriously the three lovely grandchildren, Hirsheleh the "fromer", the cheerful Gershon'ke, and the clever and intelligent little Hillel'ke, suddenly on the night of the Seder they all forget and leave their games and the Passover nuts, and are occupied with the difficulties of "what has changed". They listen with abysmal seriousness to the extensive investigations and profound excuses that the great grandfather brilliantly brings forth with his genius, as if they understand his words well.
What things did you find in the other volumes of the Mishnah Berura that you saw fit to include in the Haggadah?
""An interesting example regarding the recitation of Hallel: The Mishnah writes: Hallel is recited while standing, even though they recite it throughout the year, on Passover, because standing is a path of conversion and freedom (S. 35:1). And here is what our rabbis did not bring in the laws of Passover.".
Also published on the Synagogue Association website
