Freedom is a Choice - Shemini 5786

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It is the day after Pesach. There is an interesting Chabad custom that differs from many other communities. After the Seder, many sing a song beginning with the words “Chasal sidur Pesach,” meaning the Seder of Pesach has ended. In Chabad we don’t sing that song, because while the actual Seder may have finished, the impact of the Seder should continue throughout the year. 


The same applies for the entire holiday of Pesach. The powerful message of freedom that we take from Passover can become a part of our lives. 


Our experience is physical. We live within the confines of time and space, and we see and are impacted by the physical environment. “Nature takes it’s course” and we think that we know how everything in the world works and we are in control. We forget that there is Divine Providence. Hashem controls the world and He gives us the strength and the means to do what we need to in order to fulfill our mission on Earth. Nothing can really stop us from this, because the purpose of creation is for this mission. 


It doesn’t seem that way. The challenges to Torah observance are before us and the Divine Providence seems to be just a concept. That is where the lesson of Pesach comes in. If we can free ourselves and look deeper, we will actually see Hashem’s hand in our lives. It depends on our attitude, and it is our choice. 


This is also one of the themes of this week’s Parsha. Shemini means “eighth.”  It was the eighth day after the beginning of the inauguration of the Sanctuary in the desert as the Jews were on their way to the Holy Land. For seven days Moshe had performed the services and train Aaron and his sons. Then on the eighth day Aaron took over. As he offered the sacrifice, a fire came down from heaven and consumed it. 


Seven are the days of the week, representing nature. The number eight represents that which is above nature. This is why it was the eighth day when the miracles were revealed. 


We may not see or recognize miracles in our day to day lives. But there is a whole other dimension that is way above the natural order of the world that we can’t generally see. It is revealed occasionally as a miracle, but we can access it in our minds and hearts if we so choose. The way to do so is to connect to Torah, which shows us the path to access the miraculous in our lives. When we do that, Pesach, and it’s freedom, never ends. 


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