Welcome to Ohel Simha Park Avenue Synagogue
295 Park Ave, Long Branch NJ 07740
Phone: (732) 571-2711
Email:Business@OhelSimha.com

The Rabbi’s Message
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"G-d has bestowed many favors upon us." (Passover
Haggadah)
Gratitude and appreciation are virtues that are not simply
praiseworthy, they are essential traits. On the Seder night we are
enjoined to recount the many wonders and miracles that Hashem
wrought for us. Ibn Ezra contends that appreciation goes a step
further. We are to remember how it used to be, how we suffered,
the pain and affliction to which we were subjected, the thirst and
hunger which accompanied us and the depression and hopelessness
that ruled our lives. Hashem rescued us from all that. He took us
out of misery, granting us the opportunity to live as free people.
Harav Mordechai Gifter, shlita, explains that one must
appreciate and give gratitude where it is due. Does one, however,
analyze the good that he has received? Does one ever think about
what life would have been like had he not been saved? Do we ever
really evaluate the good? Do we simply say, "Thank you," and
continue with "business as usual?" One must remember what it
had been like; think back to the days of misery and pain, feel some
of the frustration and grief that used to be so much a part of his life.
Then and only then will he truly understand the essence of the
favor he has received. All too quickly we pay our respects to our
benefactor and forget about him. If we pay more attention to our
past we might more fully appreciate the present.
This, according to Harav Gifter, is the purpose of the Dayenu
format of the Haggadah. We must delve deeper into the "good"
that we have received, reviewing it, analyzing every aspect of it, so
that we will experience greater appreciation at the present time.
Let us appreciate all that we have so that we may merit to be
blessed continuously. Happy Pesah.
Rabbi Shmuel Choueka