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Moving from Purim to Passover

by Ozer Bergman
Moving from Purim to Passover
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How does the Rebbe want us to make the transition in our thinking between the two holidays? Can you suggest a lesson in L”M that speaks to the preparations for Passover?

Boker Tov:

Ozer, I hope your Purim was amazing. I kept thinking about the singing you were going to do with your family in Jerusalem (see below) and tried at my table to do the same. We shift now from Purim to Pesach. How does the Rebbe want us to make the transition in our thinking between the two holidays? Can you suggest a lesson in L”M that speaks to the preparations for Passover?

CO

Shalom Reb C”O!

Your question is, IMHO, most openly addressed by Likutey Moharan II, Lesson #74 (translation of which can be found at “A Simple Jew” somewhere in ’06).

The Rebbe zal writes that Purim “becomes” Parshat Parah, the taharah/cleansing from tumat-met (impurity of the dead), said cleansing being required to partake of the korban Pesach (Pascal lamb).

If we properly participate in Purim, we prepare ourselves to properly prepare for Pesach, in relation to the mitzvah of disowning all our chametz. Purim the holiday is over, but Purim’s lessons and influence are still available.

The joy we aimed for and the joy we actually achieved; our increased awareness/comprehension of the Purim miracle (or any part thereof); our attempt to understand the connection of (different facets of) Mordekhai and Esther to Pesach; our understanding of what “chametz” refers to beyond leavened foodstuffs and why it’s important to be rid of them; of why/how eating such foods on Pesach is deadly; and even a trace of them in our possession weakens the cord of our connection with God, are all bridges between Purim and Pesach. (There are others too!) Focusing on one or two, maybe even three (time permitting), can create a structure and a theme for the Seder and, hopefully, for the entire yom tov.

kol tuv.
Ozer Bergman

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