Shalom, on Monday night we will be taking part in a ‘sedar night’ reliving the experience of the exodus out of Egypt. The Seder Night comprises of many parts; we will be drinking four cups of wine, eating bitter herbs (in memory of the bitter times in Egypt), eating Matzah, eating a large meal like aristocrats, singing exodus anthems and much more! However a large chunk of the sedar night is the stage of ‘Maggid’ in which we will be retelling the exodus experience out of Egypt. Here it goes!! If we cast our mind back all the way to Parshat Lech Lecha, in the book of Bereishit, Avraham was informed by Hashem that the Jews were going to be in exile in Egypt for 400 years. In fact, these 400 years started off at the time of the birth of Yitzchak. The Jews finally came into Egypt many years later; after Yaakov experienced various troubles, including, his time working with the trickster Lavan, Esav’s Hatred, the violation of his daughter Deena and the torment over the suspected death of Yosef, The Jews entered the land of Egypt, as seventy souls, dwelling in the land of Goshen (as related in Parshat Vayigash). With Yosef vicory of Egypt, the Hebrew descendants appeared in safe hands, however after the death of Yosef at the age of 110 years and subsequently the death of Levi at the age of 137 years, the Hebrews began to assimilate into Egyptian culture, attending their circuses and theatres and e.t.c. The Jews began to multiply at an ever increasing rate that disturbed the Egyptians greatly, as they feared that if they were to go into war, the Jews would join their enemy and irradicate them. During these years in Egypt, in all credit to the Jews, they strongly kept up with three traditions; they all spoke the same language (Lashon Hakodesh), wore the same clothing and did not marry out. However many strayed away from G-d, except the Levites, who became famous scholars of Torah. Pharaoh and the Egyptians put the Jews under strenuous back breaking labour, hoping to crush the Hebrew spirit and in turn reduce the awesome birth-rate, however this plan failed as the Jewish women were giving birth to 6 – 12 children at a time! Wow!! Pharaoh’s astrologers foresaw the birth of the future Jewish redeemer, in turn; Pharaoh ordered that all the Jewish babies were to be drowned in the river. Moshe, the future redeemer was placed in a casket in the river, rescued by Pharaohs daughter, Basya. The moment he was placed in the river, the astrologers saw that the redeemer was dead and they annulled the decree. Moshe grew up in Pharaohs palace and was pained at the treatment of the Jews, he soon however, also had to flee from the Egyptians as he slayed an Egyptian man, who had violated a Jewish women and attempted to murder another man. However two talebearers, informed on him to Pharaoh, and he faced an unfair death penalty. Moshe fled and soon experienced and awesome sight, a burning bush that was not being devoured. Hashem instructed Moshe to lead the Jewish people out of Egypt; however this would prove to be a patient process. Moshe performed three wonders to the fellow Hebrews and Egyptians that would prove he was the redeemer; turning a staff into a snake, changing his flesh in to leprosy and converting water into blood. The Jews believed him and he soon appeared in front of Pharaoh, under Hashems command, no longer fearing his life. Moshe warned Pharaoh of many plagues that was to be fall the Egyptians. The first five plagues that were visited upon Pharaoh were gruesome, despite him having the free will to let the Jews go free, he refused. The last five plagues showed Pharaohs arrogance. By the time the sixth plague arrived Hashem had hardened Pharaohs heart. The Plagues were blood, frogs, lice, wild animals, pestilence, Boils, Hailstones, Locusts, Darkness and the final one, the slaying of the first born. Pharaoh had much to fear with the final plague, the slaying of the first born, with him being a first born himself his life was at risk. On the night of the slaying of the firstborn, the Jews slaughtered the Egyptian deity, the sheep and roasted it over fire, much to the torment of the Egyptians. The Jews then all partook in this meal, consuming the ‘Korban Pesach.’ Pharaoh finally set the Jews free; allowing the Egyptians to give them valuable presents on the way out, however only few days after letting the Jews go, Pharaoh and the Egyptians had a change of heart and set out to chase the Jews. Pharaoh led the chase, riding his chariot, the Egyptians finally caught up with the Jews by the Red sea. Moshe put his hands up in prayer, however Hashem wanted to see action, then enter Nachshon Ben Aminidav, who heroically jumped in the sea and split it, the Jews marched through the split sea, with an upraised arm. The Egyptians then followed them into the sea, however the split sea soon merged again at the side of the Egyptians, and destructive brutal waves crushed the Egyptians, with all of them reportedly suffering a brutal death. The Jews were escorted by the ‘clouds of glory’ and soon sang the famous prophetic song ‘Az Yashir’ all experiencing awesome prophecy. They then marched into the wilderness, only days later they received the Torah as related in Parshat Yisro. The Sedar night is a time for the children to ask loads of questions about the exodus and keep them interested throughout the entire night. We will be reciting Hallel, songs of praise for Hashem. We will be eating a lot of Matzah, including, the Afikoman. However it is a Mitzvah to be in a happy mood and actually get into the state of mind, that we are actually leaving Egypt!! Hope you all have a fantastic Pesach! Chag Sameach! I would like to dedicate this Dvar Torah in the memory of my friend, David Luna, his Hebrew name being, Dovid Ben Avraham, who passed away one month ago.