01 Apr Pesach; So Why Ask?

Inspired by the teachings of Harav Yitzchak Ginsburgh and Rabbi Moshe Genuth

A primary function of the Seder is ‘To Ask’ Questions’. Not just to ask-and-answer the ‘4 Questions’ of the Haggadah, but to encourage questions and answers throughout the Seder.  

As we know, the Torah and Hagaddah were written to be understood on many levels.  A 5 year old or a 105 year old person,whether a person with little Torah knowledge or a Torah Scholar, all will derive an amount of Goodness from the the Seder (or Torah), and all will accordingly have a different  experience.  Asking  questions can reveal deeper insight.  

Kabbalah and Chassidut address the concept of asking a question as ‘one who stands in the question’, or ‘holds opposites’. The premise of a question is that ‘opposites’ ( paradox or differences) exist, and it is through the question that the concealed is revealed.  A  greater clarity, a greater Truth is revealed as the distance between the opposites becomes diminished.

Kabbalistically, opposites on the Tree of Life of the 10 sefirot have a ‘right axis’- a ‘left axis’-  and a ‘middle axis. The middle axis is also known as the ‘Pillar of Torah’, or ‘The Axis of Truth’.  The process of rectifying  (or resolving) the opposites of the ‘right and left’ emanations (sefirot) of the Kabbalah Tree bring about greater ‘Truth’. Truth is  represented by the middle axis, an axis of  equilibrium.  The diagram attached illustrates the right and left axis as opposites, and the middle as the resolve of the opposites (or paradox). No paradox exists in the middle axis as it is the ‘Axis of Truth’. G-ds most abundant flow of light (the shefa), His Goodness, is most powerful at the center of the middle axis.

click on to enlarge here>  Kabbalah Tree of Life – Middle Axis (3)

We learn from the story of Creation in  Parshas Bereishis- Genesis that ‘from the darkness comes the light’. When we ask a question, we begin to ‘open the heavens’ to draw down G-ds Infinite Light, His Goodness. Mitzrayim (Egypt)  is translated as ‘constriction, contraction or a narrow’. Kabbalistically this relates to the tzimtzum, the point in time that the Israelites passed through the tzimtzum ( narrows or contraction) of Mizrayim. This is the point at which the most ‘unbridled’ powerful  Infinite Light (Ein Sof)  passes through  a contraction-tzimtzum, and the Infinite Light of G-ds Goodness  that comes forth is bridled or  ‘usable ‘ light in the form of the 10 emanations of light… the 10 sefirot (the 10 building blocks for all Creation).

The Baal Shem Tov talks about the process’ of Evolutionary and Transformative change  in the model of Chash – Mal –Mal ; Submission –Separation and Sweetening.  Evolutionary change is slower, and Transformation is rapid. All change when complete is transformative. The experience of Mitzrayim and the Exodus is Transformative. While in Mitzrayim, the oppression of the Israelites created a state of Submission, making the Nation humble and available to receive ‘the Word’ of G-d. Our ego and sense of ‘self’ through the oppression became ‘nullified (bitul)’. The Separation was when they choose to put one foot ahead of the other and leave Egypt. And the Sweetening of course was G-d’s Divinity and the receiving of Torah only 1 month later at Sinai.

To ask a question, is to begin the process of opening the Heavens and elevating ourselves and the world through the receiving of authentic truth…Hashem’s Truth. But we must be properly prepared to receive the answer, and act upon it accordingly. We need to set aside our own agenda’s and egos to become bitul- nullified, humble… and avail ourselves to receive. This is what happened as a result of the oppression and redemption from Mitzrayim, and this is why we ask questions.

Concealed within the question is the contained the power of the revelation of Truth.., the resolve of the paradox that releases us from all forms of oppression and enslavement. The Truth shall set us free.

This is the power that will allow us to Unify the Jewish Nation and bring the Final Redemption… Mashiach.

We need to ask questions at the Seder , when we daven, (Shema) ‘as we walk on our way’…we need to be prepared to receive and act upon the answers.

May you have a meaningful Pesach
Pesach Someyach

Leib Getzel (Lawrence) Lax
Addictions and Counselling (Hnrs)
www.lawrencelax.com