#9: Machshavah
Pesach is known as Zeman Cheiruteinu, the time of our freedom. However, our freedom from Egypt was not merely about escaping physical servitude—it was a spiritual liberation that allowed us to redirect our lives toward serving Hashem. True freedom is not the absence of responsibility, but the ability to live with purpose and devotion. The Exodus gave us the opportunity to break free not only from Egyptian oppression but also from the spiritual limitations that had weighed us down, enabling us to embrace a higher calling. As the Mishnah says, only one who engages in Torah study is considered “free.”
Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook (Maamarei HaReiyah, vol. 1, p. 158) explains that deep within every person is a desire to serve Hashem with complete devotion. Yet, the yetzer hara and worldly temptations often cloud this inner drive, creating barriers to true spiritual freedom. The more we struggle against these distractions, the more we refine ourselves and attain real cheirut—the ability to serve Hashem with body and soul. Pesach cleaning, though physically demanding, mirrors this inner battle. As we remove the chametz from our homes, we symbolically remove the spiritual obstacles that prevent us from fully dedicating ourselves to Hashem. This process helps us internalize that true freedom is not about indulging in worldly pleasures but about breaking free from them, so we can serve Hashem wholeheartedly.
Let us approach our Pesach preparations with this perspective in mind. Every effort we put into cleaning is not just a chore—it is an act of spiritual refinement. As we work to rid our homes of chametz, we should also strive to free ourselves from the distractions that pull us away from Hashem. In doing so, we prepare not just our physical space but also our hearts, ensuring that when we sit down at the Seder, we are truly free—ready to embrace our role as avdei Hashem with joy and devotion.
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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.
