Wednesday, April 13, 2022

at psach lo

The haggadah used the feminine, "at pesach lo," instead of "atah," when telling us how to address the tam. 

Zachrus is usually associated with giving; nakvus with receiving.  Teaching is usually a "zachrus" activity in that the rebbe gives over information, direction, to the talmid, who is the recipient.

The haggadah is telling us that sometimes you have to back off.  Sometimes teaching is not about giving over to the talmid, but rather about listening, encouraging the talmid to develop his own thoughts and ideas.  The midah of nakvus is necessary to allow the talmid to grow.

עץ חיים היא למחזיקים בה לומר לך מה עץ קטן מדליק את הגדול אף תלמידי חכמים קטנים מחדדים את הגדולים והיינו דאמר ר' חנינא הרבה למדתי מרבותי ומחבירי יותר מרבותי ומתלמידי יותר מכולן

The rebbe can become a student; the student can become a teacher.

1 comment:

  1. Notice that after the mother opens the conversation, "ve'amarTA eilav". A couple who speaks in a single voice does not produce a ben soreir umoreh. Similarly here, both parents are giving the same message, each in a different modality.

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