News

Creator and Sustainer
By Rabbi Scott Kahn

The Shabbat before Pesach is called Shabbat HaGadol, "The Great Shabbat", because of the miracle that occurred on the Shabbat that preceded the Exodus from Egypt. On the tenth of Nisan, which was then (as it is this year) Shabbat, the Children of Israel tied lambs to their bedposts in preparation for the Korban Pesach. The Egyptians, who worshipped the lamb, asked why they were putting these lambs aside; when told that they would be slaughtered, the Egyptians miraculously did nothing, despite the grave insult to their religious beliefs. The miracle of the Egyptians' silence and acquiescence is commemorated on the Shabbat before Pesach, and we accordingly call this Shabbat, "Shabbat HaGadol".

Numerous reasons are offered as to why this miracle is annually commemorated on Shabbat, rather than on the tenth of Nisan. The Aruch HaShulchan offers an illuminating interpretation: "In truth, Shabbat is dependent upon Pesach, and Pesach upon Shabbat. For Shabbat is a sign of the Creation of the world, and Pesach is a sign of Providence and Love of Israel; one without the other is, of course, nothing. Therefore, immediately following the Exodus from Egypt the Holy One, Blessed is He, gave us the Shabbat, and did not wait until the Giving of the Torah, for Pesach is necessary for Shabbat and Shabbat is necessary for Pesach. Accordingly, this Shabbat is called Shabbat HaGadol, for on it the Holy One, Blessed is He, was shown to be great. For apart from the Creation of the world, His Providence was made clear..." (Aruch HaShulchan Orach Chaim 430:4)

In other words, Shabbat and Pesach together represent the two fundamental ways G-d interacts with the world: as its Creator, and as the One who continually guides it. Whereas Shabbat acts as a sign of creation ex nihilo, Pesach demonstrates G-d's interaction with and control over the world.

This year, we are fortunate to have a second opportunity to reflect on these two aspects of our relationship with G-d: on Erev Pesach, through the recitation of Birkat HaChamah, the blessing over the sun. Birkat HaChamah is recited once every twenty eight years, when the sun returns to the same relative position as it was at creation, at the same time of day. This blessing is not recited as a response to any visible phenomenon, but rather as a response to our faith in G-d's creation of the world. Unlike other occasions for reciting the blessing, "Oseh ma'aseh bereshit", Birkat HaChamah is not precipitated by an obvious celestial event which can be discerned with the naked eye; the only precipitating factor is our faith that G-d created the world. How appropriate, then, that Birkat HaChamah occurs this year on Erev Pesach. Through Birkat HaChamah, we renew and declare our faith in G-d as Creator, while that very night, we renew and declare our faith in G-d as Controller of the world.

Chazal tell us that anyone who recites Psalm 145 - better known as "Ashrei" - three times a day is guaranteed to be a "ben Olam Haba". (Berachot 4b) After a short discussion, the Gemara concludes that the greatness of Ashrei is that it contains two elements in the same psalm: an alphabetical acrostic, and the verse, "You open Your hand, and satisfy the desire of every living thing." Because G-d created the world with words, the alphabet is a common symbol of creation. (Indeed, the masters of Kabbalah have taught that the first words of the Torah, "Bereshit bara E-lokim et..." mean, "In the beginning, G-d created 'et'" - that is, the letters from alef to tav. These were then used as the tools for all further creation.) The verse "You open Your hand" refers to G-d's Providence, and His concern for all creation. Thus, the greatness of Ashrei is that it, too, helps strengthen our faith in G-d's role as Creator and Sustainer.

The Gemara states that an individual who recites Ashrei three times a day is guaranteed to be a ben Olam Haba. Taken literally, this means not someone who is going to be in Olam Haba in the future, but rather someone who already is in Olam Haba. This is because Olam Haba is the state of being in which the reality of G-d is readily apparent, and where every occurrence in the world is completely transparent, thereby allowing the divine reality that permeates it to be clearly recognized. The constant reminder of Creation and Divine Providence allow a person to live in Olam Haba while still in this world, for he regularly internalizes the reality of G-d's Presence in every part of life. And through the messages of Shabbat HaGadol, as well as the proximity of Birkat HaChamah to Pesach, a person can begin to dwell in Olam Haba, as well.

May we experience this Shabbat HaGadol as it was meant to be experienced: as an opportunity to feel the presence of G-d as both Creator and Sustainer. And may this Shabbat be the beginning of a greater recognition of G-d's Presence in everything, thereby allowing all of us to constantly sense His reality in every aspect of our lives.

Shabbat Shalom, and Chag Kasher v'Sameach!