Pesach
Pesach begins on Wednesday night, April 8, 2009Holiday celebrating the Jewish People's exodus from Egypt.
The Number “Four”
One of the fascinating and suggestive features of the Haggadah is the prominence of the number "Four," which appears in connection with the following elements of the Haggadah:The Four Cups of Wine
The Four Questions
The Four Sons
The Four Expressions of Redemption
Why the number "Four" is given this prominence, and what its special connection with Pesach is, is not obvious.
Perhaps it is because of the four seasons, and the fact that Pesach is the Holiday of Spring, the season of rebirth and renewal, the birth of the Jewish People with its liberation from Egypt and its march towards Sinai. There the L-rd would accomplish the purpose of the Exodus, giving the Jewish People and, through them to all of humanity, the Torah, wherein is spelled out G-d's instructions for a way of life which is moral and holy, which will accomplish ultimately the rebirth and renewal of humanity.
Or perhaps it is the connection to the four "Imahot," the "Mothers" of the Jewish People: Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel and Leah, and the wives and mothers in Egypt and throughout Jewish History, who have kept the spirit of the People alive.
The OU.ORG Pesach section is compiled from different sources, including The Book of Our Heritage by Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov.
Other Pesach Content
- What is Passover?
- When does Passover Begin?
- How Do I Prepare for Passover
- What Is “Kosher for Passover”
- What is “Matzoh” or “Matzah”?
- When Do Passover Dietary Laws End?
- Foods Which May Not Be Used On Passover
- The “Seder”
- Seder Table Checklist
- About Work Restrictions
- Glossary of Common Passover Terms
- Matzah - The Main Symbol
- The Haggadah
- The Number “Four”
- The Four Cups
- The Four Questions
- The Four Sons
- The Four Expressions
- The Fifteen Steps-The First Five
- The Fifteen Steps - The Middle Six
- The Fifteen Steps-The Last Four
- And You Shall Tell Your Children
- Haggadah Insights
- “Shir HaShirim” - The Song of Songs
- From Shame to Praise
- Wine - Connection Between Purim and Pesach
- Pesach Insights from Parshat Shemot
- Pesach Insights from Parshat Yitro
- Pesach: Birth and Rebirth
- The Inner Meaning of Matzah
- Pesach
- Shabbat Chol Hamoed
- A Time of Dance
- When was the Exodus?
- What are we celebrating on Pesach?
- A Three Days Journey in the Desert
- Hotter Than Fire
- HILCHOS PESACH
- Yosef Ben Shlomo Hakohen-Passover Insight
- Reb Mordechai Rosen z"l
- Passover Safety Tips
- Falling Through The Cracks
- Your Official Guide to Passover Preparation
- Children’s Activities for Pesach
- Children’s Activities for Shavuot