Achdus: The Driver of our Geulah
Rabbi Shlomo Jarcaig
Chaver Kollel
The Korban Pesach has many Halachos which make it different from all other Korbanos. The Maharal explains that all of these unique Halachos revolve around the theme of Achdus, the unity of G-d and the Jewish People. Achdus is the force that gave this Korban the capacity to propel our Geulah in Mitzrayim, and it can help us today to feel as though we are experiencing the Geulah. Hashem chose us to be the One nation of the One and only G-d. The Maharal explains how many of the halachos are about oneness. To wit:
We specifically must offer a ONE year old sheep. The Jewish people are compared to sheep. Chazal say that the sheep is the most “unified” of all the animals in that an injury to a part of its body causes waves of pain throughout its entire body. This models the unity of the Jewish People. When one Jew performs a Mitzvah, or any other action, we’re all affected.
The Korban must be roasted whole- in ONE piece.
It may not be eaten raw or cooked. Whereas cooking tends to cause the pieces of meat to separate, roasting causes the liquids to leave the meat and it contracts, remaining whole.
No bones are allowed to be broken. Even after it is roasted the Korban remains ONE body.
The Korban is eaten in ONE night. (Many other Korbanos may be eaten over two nights.)
The Matzah, which represents our freedom, and the Marror, which represents our slavery are eaten as ONE with the meat of the Korban. We thus express an understanding that both situations come from the same source, and are part of the same UNIFIED Master plan. It’s only with that realization that we can truly appreciate our redemption.
The Korban Pesach is the only Korban for which every one of us has a responsibility to be designated ahead of time as part of a group.
Despite the clear emphasis of unity, there is, paradoxically, an element of separation in the Korban Pesach. Although it must be eaten with ONE group in ONE house, you are not allowed to join with another group of Jews if you were not a designated member of their group when the Korban was offered. This disallowance locks people into their individual groups, no longer allowed to be a part of the entire whole. Yet this, too, demonstrates the very nature of the Klal Yisroel collective. The importance of the individual.
We are not simply identical cogs in G-d’d great machine. Every one of us has our own unique and special role and place, and if we were to be, chas v’shalom, removed from the community, our unique position would be unfilled. We each need to be aware of that in advance. Find our place, and be consistent with our place and role.
It’s also important for every Jew to to help every other Jew find their place. In fact, at the beginning of the Seder we announce that anyone who needs a place can join us. We do this because we realize that if another Jew isn’t experiencing Pesach, our own redemption is not complete. Although it’s not practical for all of us to be together eating the same Korban, we all unite by strengthening our immediate circle of influence; the group we are with.
Whoever you are together with this year, take the opportunity to express your appreciation for their unique contributions which make Klal Yisroel whole.
