G-d then instructed Moses regarding the laws of the festivals of the Jewish year. The first festival is Passover, celebrated in the first month of the Jewish calendar, Nisan.
Maintaining Proper Focus
וּבַחֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר יוֹם לַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה חַג הַמַּצּוֹת וגו':
(ויקרא כג:ו)
[G-d told Moses,] “On the 15th day of the month [of Nisan] begins the Festival of Matzos.”
Leviticus 23:6
Although throughout the Torah, this festival is usually
referred to as “the Festival of Matzos,” in common usage it is usually called
“Passover.” (The term “Passover” in the Torah always refers to the sacrifice
associated with this holiday rather than to the holiday itself.) According to
the Chassidic master Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, the two names reflect
two different perspectives on the holiday.
G‑d wishes to stress the greatness of the Jewish people; He
therefore focuses on the matzah. Matzah recalls how the Jews left Egypt in such
haste that they did not have time to let their dough rise, highlighting their
implicit faith in G‑d and their willingness to follow Him wherever He directed
them to go. We, on the other hand, relate to the holiday as an opportunity to
praise G‑d and thank Him; we therefore refer to it as Passover, recalling G‑d’s
great miracles, particularly when He “passed over” the Jewish homes and brought
His plagues only upon the Egyptians.
We should relate similarly to all our worldly accomplishments.
Rather than focusing on our exceptional abilities, which enabled us to succeed,
we should focus on how G‑d’s “hand” always miraculously assists us. We should
leave it to G‑d to focus on our merits!1
