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Why is Pesach (פסח) called "Chag HaMatzos" — the holiday of matzah, the bread of slavery — rather than the holiday of freedom? The shiur develops a profound yesod: we must embrace our painful past, not deny it. The Jewish training in slavery taught service beyond self-interest. Taking the Egyptian wealth wasn't about compensation but about internalizing that experience and transforming suffering into strength.
Rabbi Zweig addresses a fundamental question about the essence of Pesach (פסח). The Torah (תורה) refers to the holiday as "Chag HaMatzos" (the Festival of Matzos), yet matzah symbolizes slavery — it is "lechem oni," the bread of our affliction. How can the holiday of freedom be named for a symbol of slavery? The name of anything reflects its essential characteristic, so this appears paradoxical. The shiur presents three interrelated questions: First, why is the holiday named after slavery rather than freedom? Second, why does Hashem (ה׳) need to pressure the Jewish people with the word "na" (please) to take wealth from Egypt — wouldn't they gladly take money? Third, Rashi (רש"י) explains that God says "please" ask for the wealth so that Avrohom won't complain that God fulfilled the slavery decree but not the promise that "they will leave with great wealth." Why does this depend on Avrohom's feelings rather than simply on God keeping His word?
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Parshas Bo, Shemos 11:2
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