(From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)
(written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a)
(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK)
The Significance of Shabbat HaGadol – Preventing the “Final Solution” in Egypt
Our Chachamim z”l said (Tur and Shulchan Aruch siman 430), that the Shabbat prior to Chag HaPesach is called “Shabbat HaGadol” – “The Great Shabbat”, in commemoration of the great miracle that occurred on this Shabbat.
What miracle occurred on this Shabbat? On the year that the Bnei Yisrael left Egypt Pesach fell on a Thursday, exactly as it will fall this year. On the Shabat that preceded Pesach, the Bnei Yisrael were commanded that each household takes a sheep for the purpose of the “Korban Pesach” – “Paschal Lamb”. When Am Yisrael took the sheep, all of the firstborn Egyptians gathered against Am Yisrael and asked them to explain themselves. They answered them, “It is the Pesach service to Hashem” [Shemot 12:27] meaning that in the near future Hashem is going to kill all of the firstborn Egyptians and therefore we have been instructed to place the blood of the sacrifice on the two doorposts and lintel to prevent the destroyer from entering our homes to afflict.
The firstborns immediately went to their parents and to Paro and demanded that they free Am Yisrael so that they won’t be killed because of them. However they came up against a decisive rebuttal from Paro. Then a civil war broke out amongst them and many of the Egyptians were killed, as it states, “To Him Who smote Egypt through their firstborn” (Tehillim 136:10), meaning that Egypt was struck by their firstborns.
When the Egyptians saw this, each man girded his sword to avenge themselves against Am Yisrael. They sought to destroy and murder Am Yisrael (chas veshalom). Hashem Yitbarach in His abundant mercy and kindness protected them and infected them with many and unusual illnesses and great afflictions, until their teeth weekend and their intestines were leaking and they were forced to retreat. Through this Am Yisrael were saved from their anger. Therefore this Shabat is called “Shabbat HaGadol”, for it was a tremendous day for Am Yisrael as they were saved from a rapid destruction and certain obliteration chas veshalom.
It is stated in the Midrash Rabbah [Shemot Rabbah 16:3] at the time that HaKadosh Baruch Hu said to Moshe Rabbenu, “Draw forth or buy for yourselves one of the flock for your families, and slaughter the Pesach” (Shemot 12:21), Moshe said, Ribbono shel Olam! How may we do this? The sheep is the Egyptian god, “…behold if we were to slaughter the Egyptian god in their sight, will they not stone us?!” (ibid. 8:22). Hashem replied to him, By your life! Am Yisrael will not leave here until they slaughter the Egyptian god in front of them, to make it known to them that their god is nothing and that I alone protect Am Yisrael! This is what happened, and when the Egyptians saw their firstborns killed and their gods slaughtered their teeth weakened and they were utterly incapacitated [see Bamidbar 33:4].
All of Am Yisrel have the custom on this Shabbat for their rav to discuss the laws of Pesach. It is appropriate that the rav inspire the kehillah with practical halachot and not just deep insight about the Chag. Someone who doesn’t have a local rav who discusses hilchot Pesach should find the time on this Shabbat to learn themselves some of the laws of Pesach. It is also sensible to study the “Haggadah shel Pesach” with various explanations in order to be well equipped for the Seder Night.
Shabbat HaGadol Shalom Umevorach!
