This year in the Diaspora, one has to make an Eruv
Tavshilin this coming Wednesday on Matzo and one other food such as Tuna, some
meat or fish in the refrigerator or a hard boiled egg. Due to the virus our
Sederim are small this year and only the immediate household should be there.
SINCE THERE ARE NO PUBLIC FIRES TO BURN CHAMETZ
SOME IDEAS REGARDING DESTRUCTION. Three ways to destroy Chametz that it is not fit
for a dog to eat. 1) If you have a griller or BBQ outside, put newspaper,
twigs, your old Luluv and some wood or charcoal and burn it as in other years.
2) Put lighter fluid, kerosene, turpentine, etc. on the Chametz. 3) Flush the
Chametz down the toilet. The last two solutions have been done when Erev Pesach
falls on Shabbos and in places like Brooklyn, NY where there is no Eruv this
are satisfactory. 4) Go to a park with pigeons and other birds and spread out
the Chametz this year afterwards say the nullification that it is valueless
like the dust of the earth.
Ed-Op Pandemic when people turn to
Rabbis for leadership.
In the beginning, most Rabbis wanted to
continue learning for our life is in the Torah and Mitzvos. When it was shown
that the virus spreads exponentially, they closed down the Yeshivas and
Minyanim. It took a while for people dealing with Torah on such a level that
the Angel of Death doesn’t have the power to take in the current events. Such
Torah Giants are so steep in learning that they are devoid of news. They even
are given power from heaven to bless or pray for a healing and it works. It
took time for the Ponevez Rosh Yeshiva to close down the Yeshiva and called for
people not to pray in a Minyan so as not to be a murderer. Now he rules that
only the immediate household should be at a Seder. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278118
After a few days Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky
Shlita called anybody to pray with a Minyan a Rodef (pursuer). He said that it
was permissible to report gatherings to the authorities as it was not a tale
bearer but a matter of Pekeuach Nefesh. A number of well-known Rabbis stated
that this is the end of the Esav Diaspora and forerunner to Moshiach. I
certainly hope and pray.
I was correct in assessing that Corona
is not as bad as influenza or the Black Death that came from China via Venice
and wiped out half of Europe. However, in the beginning I did not understand
the contagious nature of the disease that causes the isolation solution. It spreads
exponentially. There are probably a number strains of the virus and also how it
effects people. It took time until I read about infants, a 12year old and people
in their twenties or thirties dying too and not just the elderly it has become
a danger to all ages.
This last Shabbos for the first time,
Microphones made announcements in Kiriat Sefer about people who might have been
in contact with others for quarantining. Now the government is beginning to
advertise in the Charedi areas using cars with recorded megaphone messages to
explain a little bit late about the virus. It took a while for the government
to also realize that once contagion hit a family of 8 or 9 people in 3 or 4
rooms that quarantine is ineffective. Now they are renting hotels for such
families.
Rabbis are not necessarily prophets and
similar to information given to a computer. If you put nonsense in you get
nonsense out. Proper information and proper delivery is very important. So when
you go to a Rabbi for advice give him the pertinent information.
Parsha Tzav
It is hard for me to write about Moshe
and the Korbanos with all the news around and Pesach just around the corner but
I shall try as best I can. As stated last week, the Mincha or meal offering was
made unleavened except the Korban Todah that had loaves of Chametz and was
never offered Erev Pesach or the seven days of the Chag.
6:1 And the
LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 Command Aaron and his sons, saying: This is
the law of the burnt-offering: it is that which goes up on its firewood upon
the altar all night unto the morning; and the fire of the altar shall be kept
burning thereby.
The
Cohanim had to constantly stoke the fire. Trees were cut and gathered until the
15th of the month of Av and left to dry in storage for the next
year.
3 And the
priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen breeches shall he put upon
his flesh; and he shall take up the ashes whereto the fire hath consumed the
burnt-offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar.
The ashes
were placed twice daily after burning the Shachris and Mincha Tamid Offering.
4 And he
shall put off his garments, and put on other garments, and carry forth the
ashes without the camp unto a clean place. 5 And the fire upon the altar shall
be kept burning thereby, it shall not go out; and the priest shall kindle wood
on it every morning; and he shall lay the burnt-offering in order upon it, and
shall make smoke thereon the fat of the peace-offerings. 6 Fire shall be kept
burning upon the altar continually; it shall not go out.
The Cohanim had to be diligent in not
letting the fire go out.
7 And this
is the law of the meal-offering: the sons of Aaron shall offer it before the
LORD, in front of the altar. 8 And he shall take up therefrom his handful, of
the fine flour of the meal-offering, and of the oil thereof, and all the
frankincense which is upon the meal-offering, and shall make the memorial-part
thereof smoke upon the altar for a sweet savor unto the LORD.
The hand grabbed the fine flour for the
Korban. The pinky and thumb cut off the excess and these three fingers grasp of
flour was offered. The left overs went to the Cohanim and make food for
themselves with it.
9 And that
which is left thereof shall Aaron and his sons eat; it shall be eaten without
leaven in a holy place; in the court of the tent of meeting they shall eat it.
The Mikdash would have a designated
area that was kept ritually pure for the Cohanim to eat there.
10 It shall
not be baked with leaven. I have given it as their portion of My offerings made
by fire; it is most holy, as the sin-offering, and as the guilt-offering.
As mentioned with the exception of the
Korban Todah (Thanksgiving) no leaven was used in the Mishkan-Mikdash. All
other Korbanos were kosher Le Pesach the whole year long.
11 Every
male among the children of Aaron may eat of it, as a due for ever throughout
your generations, from the offerings of the LORD made by fire; whatsoever
touches them shall be holy.
They ate in holiness aka ritual purity
and with intention Kavanah only.
12 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 13
This is the offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall offer unto the
LORD in the day when he is anointed: the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour
for a meal-offering perpetually, half of it in the morning, and half thereof in
the evening. 14 On a griddle it shall be made with oil; when it is soaked, thou
shalt bring it in; in broken pieces shalt thou offer the meal-offering for a
sweet savor unto the LORD. 15 And the anointed priest that shall be in his
stead from among his sons shall offer it, it is a due for ever; it shall be
wholly made to smoke unto the LORD. 16 And every meal-offering of the priest
shall be wholly made to smoke; it shall not be eaten.
The Korban of the Cohanim was special and no
stranger (Levi or Yisrael) could eat from it.
17 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 18
Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, saying: This is the law of the sin-offering:
in the place where the burnt-offering is slaughtered
shall the sin-offering be killed before the
LORD; it is most holy. 19 The priest that offer it for sin shall eat it; in a
holy place shall it be eaten, in the court of the tent of meeting.
This was the first time a spot was designated
for the purpose of the Cohanim eating.
20 Whatsoever shall touch the flesh thereof
shall be holy; and when there is sprinkled of the blood thereof upon any
garment, thou shalt wash that whereon it was sprinkled in a holy place. 21 But
the earthen vessel wherein it is sodden shall be broken; and if it be sodden in
a brazen vessel, it shall be scoured, and rinsed in water.
Everything must be pure of Tuma. The Cohain, the
spot and the Korban.
22 Every male among the priests may eat thereof;
it is most holy. 23 And no sin-offering, whereof any of the blood is brought
into the tent of meeting to make atonement in the holy place, shall be eaten;
it shall be burnt with fire.
On
the males served as Cohanim and women had to worry about being pure of Menses
and other Tuma when dealing with the Korbanos.
7:1 And this
is the law of the guilt-offering: it is most holy. 2 In the place where they slaughter the
burnt-offering shall they slaughter the
guilt-offering: and the blood thereof shall be dashed against the altar round
about. 3 And he shall offer of it all the fat thereof: the fat tail, and the
fat that covers the inwards, 4 and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on
them, which is by the loins, and the lobe above the liver, which he shall take
away by the kidneys. 5 And the priest shall make them smoke upon the altar for
an offering made by fire unto the LORD; it is a guilt-offering. 6 Every male
among the priests may eat thereof; …11 And this is the law of the sacrifice of
peace-offerings, which one may offer unto the LORD. 12 If he offer it for a
thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened
cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers spread with oil, and cakes
mingled with oil, of fine flour soaked. …20 But the soul that eats of the flesh
of the sacrifice of peace-offerings, that pertain unto the LORD, having his
uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from his people.
The highest level of purity
had to be obtained and kept in the Mishkan-Mikdash.
…22 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 23
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying: Ye shall eat no fat, of ox, or
sheep, or goat. 24 And the fat of that which dieth of itself, and the fat of
that which is torn of beasts, may be used for any other service; but ye shall
in no wise eat of it. 25 For whosoever eats the fat of the
beast, of which men present an offering made by fire unto the LORD, even the
soul that eats it shall be cut off from his people.
There were Cohanim who flayed, removed the gifts
for the Cohanim from the sacrifices and removed the fat so that nobody would
get Kares.
26 And ye shall eat no manner of blood, whether
it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings. 27 Whosoever it be that
eats any blood, that soul shall be cut off from his people.
Like the Chelev fat and the Aliyah tail fat, the
blood of the Korban or any animal was forbidden.
31 And the priest shall make the fat smoke upon
the altar; but the breast shall be Aaron's and his sons'. 32 And the right
thigh shall ye give unto the priest for a heave-offering out of your sacrifices
of peace-offerings. 33 He among the sons of Aaron, that offers the blood of the
peace-offerings, and the fat, shall have the right thigh for a portion. 34 For the breast of waving and the thigh of heaving have I taken
of the children of Israel out of their sacrifices of peace-offerings, and have
given them unto Aaron the priest and unto his sons as a due for ever from the
children of Israel. 35 This is the consecrated portion of Aaron,
and the consecrated portion of his sons, out of the offerings of the LORD made
by fire, in the day when they were presented to minister unto the LORD in the
priest's office; 36 which the LORD commanded to be given them of
the children of Israel, in the day that they were anointed. It is a due for
ever throughout their generations. 37 This is the law of the
burnt-offering, of the meal-offering, and of the sin-offering, and of the
guilt-offering, and of the consecration-offering, and of the sacrifice of
peace-offerings; 38 which the LORD commanded Moses in mount
Sinai, in the day that he commanded the children of Israel to present their
offerings unto the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai.
The gifts were specified at the time Moshe went
up the mountain for the atonement for the Egel at Har Sinai.
8:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 'Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments,
and the anointing oil, and the bullock of the sin-offering, and the two rams,
and the basket of unleavened bread; 3 and
assemble thou all the congregation at the door of the tent of meeting.' 4 And Moses did as the LORD commanded him; and the
congregation was assembled at the door of the tent of meeting. 5 And Moses said unto the congregation: 'This is the
thing which the LORD hath commanded to be done.'
The following passages are the initiation ceremony of the Cohanim and
they shall inherit this for all generations but now is the beginning ceremony
for seven days.
6 And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them
with water. 7 And he put upon him the
tunic, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put
the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the skillfully woven band of the
ephod, and bound it unto him therewith. 8
And he placed the breastplate upon him; and in the breastplate he put the Urim
and the Thummim. 9 And he set the mitre
upon his head; and upon the mitre, in front, did he set the golden plate, the
holy crown; as the LORD commanded Moses. 10
And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was
therein, and sanctified them. 11 And he
sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all
its vessels, and the laver and its base, to sanctify them. 12 And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head,
and anointed him, to sanctify him.
This is the first time and the right of ascending to become Cohain
Gadol.
13 And Moses brought Aaron's sons, and clothed them with
tunics, and girded them with girdles, and bound head-tires upon them; as the
LORD commanded Moses.
This was the initiation of the Cohanim with the Korbanos and sprinkling
of the blood as sacrificed.
14 And the bullock of the sin-offering was brought; and
Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the bullock of the
sin-offering. 15 And when it was slain,
Moses took the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about with
his finger, and purified the altar, and poured out the remaining blood at the
base of the altar, and sanctified it, to make atonement for it. …31 And Moses said unto Aaron and to his sons: 'Boil the
flesh at the door of the tent of meeting; and there eat it and the bread that
is in the basket of consecration, as I commanded, saying: Aaron and his sons
shall eat it. 32 And that which remains
of the flesh and of the bread shall ye burn with fire. 33 And ye shall not go out from the door of the tent of
meeting seven days, until the days of your consecration be fulfilled; for He
shall consecrate you seven days.
This was for the initiation of the Kahuna forever.
34 As hath been done this day, so the LORD hath
commanded to do, to make atonement for you. 35 And at the door of the tent of meeting shall ye abide day and night
seven days, and keep the charge of the LORD, that ye die not; for so I am
commanded. 36 And Aaron and his sons did
all the things which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.
Pandemic a letter from a Physician thanks to Young
Israel Hollywood, FL
Dear Rabbi
Rothwachs,
I hope this email find you well and that you and your family are feeling good. I would firstly like to thank you and the entire RCBC for your bulletin to the Bergen County Jewish community regarding social distancing and the closing of the shuls. I know it was not a decision that was made lightly.
As an Emergency Medicine Physician, I am on the "front lines" of this pandemic, and quite frankly I am scared by what I am seeing. Over the past 10 days, I have witnessed firsthand how quickly this pandemic has evolved. We in the medical community are in agreement the worst is yet to come. We anticipate that over the next 30-45 days we will see an even more massive influx of patients with the disease ranging from the worried well to the critically ill who will require intubation and ventilatory support in our intensive care unit. As it stands, we do not have the resources to support this, which is why I am reaching out to you to ask you for your help.
Pesach is swiftly approaching and with it comes travel and family time. Many people have plans to host their elderly parents and/or their children and grandchildren. I cannot stress enough how dangerous this is. With every passing day we learn how varying the presentation of illness can be and there are asymptomatic carriers who can transmit the virus.
I hope this email find you well and that you and your family are feeling good. I would firstly like to thank you and the entire RCBC for your bulletin to the Bergen County Jewish community regarding social distancing and the closing of the shuls. I know it was not a decision that was made lightly.
As an Emergency Medicine Physician, I am on the "front lines" of this pandemic, and quite frankly I am scared by what I am seeing. Over the past 10 days, I have witnessed firsthand how quickly this pandemic has evolved. We in the medical community are in agreement the worst is yet to come. We anticipate that over the next 30-45 days we will see an even more massive influx of patients with the disease ranging from the worried well to the critically ill who will require intubation and ventilatory support in our intensive care unit. As it stands, we do not have the resources to support this, which is why I am reaching out to you to ask you for your help.
Pesach is swiftly approaching and with it comes travel and family time. Many people have plans to host their elderly parents and/or their children and grandchildren. I cannot stress enough how dangerous this is. With every passing day we learn how varying the presentation of illness can be and there are asymptomatic carriers who can transmit the virus.
... As an
example, I recently had a patient whose only symptoms were diarrhea and a
fever. He is COVID+ and currently in our ICU. When we first discussed the case
with infectious disease on call for our hospital, he was declined for testing
due to his lack of respiratory complaints despite a CT scan of his lungs that
appeared to be consistent with COVID-19. After much arguing and a repeat phone
call he was accepted for testing. This patient presented 6 days ago. In just 6
days, we have changed the way we think about this virus and are learning that
it can present with anything.
And to the people who will say "but this is a disease of the elderly or those with pre-existing conditions" I have some very sobering information. While the overwhelming majority will likely be okay, we are seeing more and more cases every day of young and otherwise healthy people who are requiring ventilators and ICU admissions. The man in the example above is 45 years old with no other medical problems. There is another patient in his early 30's in our ICU. I know of cases in Brooklyn, Seattle, Westchester, and other Bronx hospitals with intubated patients in their 20's, 30's, and 40's who have no other medical problems.
And to the people who will say "but this is a disease of the elderly or those with pre-existing conditions" I have some very sobering information. While the overwhelming majority will likely be okay, we are seeing more and more cases every day of young and otherwise healthy people who are requiring ventilators and ICU admissions. The man in the example above is 45 years old with no other medical problems. There is another patient in his early 30's in our ICU. I know of cases in Brooklyn, Seattle, Westchester, and other Bronx hospitals with intubated patients in their 20's, 30's, and 40's who have no other medical problems.
…My
hospital has the capacity for approximately 35 intubated patients. I give you
these numbers to help you understand how rapidly our resources are being
depleted. When we run out, my colleagues and I will have to start making
impossible decisions. …I pray it does not come to this.
But without your help, this nightmare will become my reality. And so I urge you to speak with the members of the RCBC to help us flatten the curve. This is not business as usual. Members of the Bergen County Jewish Community need to understand that this virus is everywhere and if we do not continue with our social distancing we will be faced with more heartbreaking situations than a lonely Pesach Seder. I understand that for many, logistically, this will be a tremendous burden. But our community is strong and together we can lessen the load. Perhaps we can speak with restaurants and caterers about providing affordable kosher for Pesach packages to the elderly or families whose plans are being changed at the last minute.
But without your help, this nightmare will become my reality. And so I urge you to speak with the members of the RCBC to help us flatten the curve. This is not business as usual. Members of the Bergen County Jewish Community need to understand that this virus is everywhere and if we do not continue with our social distancing we will be faced with more heartbreaking situations than a lonely Pesach Seder. I understand that for many, logistically, this will be a tremendous burden. But our community is strong and together we can lessen the load. Perhaps we can speak with restaurants and caterers about providing affordable kosher for Pesach packages to the elderly or families whose plans are being changed at the last minute.
…I will
lead by example. My husband and I will be spending this Pesach just the two of
us. My grandmother will be staying home alone in her house in New Jersey. My
parents will be sitting at a big empty table come Leil Pesach. But if we act
now then the hope is that next year my parent's table will once again be
crowded with their children and grandchildren bumping elbows and spilling wine
and making matzo crumbs while belting out off key tunes to our favorite Pesach
Seder songs.
Please help me in ensuring the safety of the people and community I love.
Please help me in ensuring the safety of the people and community I love.
…May we be
Zocheh (merit) to live long and healthy lives and may our community continue to
be a source of strength to anyone who needs it during these most trying times.
Respectfully,
Stephanie Haimowitz, MD
Attending Physician
Respectfully,
Stephanie Haimowitz, MD
Attending Physician
It is rare that all my Israeli
grandchildren are together in the same house and that I can be there with them.
Now, this is out of the question and too dangerous. Maybe by Shavuos or Sukkos
I can enjoy them again but this Seder will be the smallest in 49 years for me.
Pesach
Your local Rabbi may have a form
on-line to sell Chametz. You can do it here: https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/sell_chometz_cdo/jewish/Sell-Your-Chametz-Online.htm
These are laws of pre-Seder and Seder
Pesach from Rabbi Twersky including Eruv Tavshilin for the diaspora. https://oukosher.org/passover/articles/halacha-round/
Laws of the Seder by Rabbi Shraga
Simmons Shlita
The items on the Seder plate are placed in a very specific order. Starting from the bottom, and going clockwise, the order is: Chazeret (lettuce), Karpas (vegetable), Beitzah (roasted egg), Zero'ah (roasted bone), Charoset (nuts and dates). And in the center is Marror (bitter herbs).
If this diagram does not match the plate you have, that is because opinions vary slightly ― but this is how it is stated in the Code of Jewish Law.
The reason for this order? The Talmud states a concept of Ain ma'avrin al hamitzvot ― we shouldn't "pass over" any mitzvah that is in front of us. For this reason, the Seder plate is arranged to follow the order of the Haggadah, so that whatever you need next will be located closest to you, to avoid having to "skip over" any other item.
The Seder plate should be located to the right of the leader.
A bowl of salt water should be placed on the table, near the Seder plate. The salt water should be prepared prior to the start of the holiday.
In fact, since the Seder cannot begin before nightfall, and since it can be rather long, it is important to have everything ready ahead of time so that one can start as soon as synagogue services are completed.
Additionally, three matzot should be placed on the table ― either under or in front of the Seder plate. They should be covered and separated from each other by a napkin or cloth.
For the Seder, it is traditional to use round, handmade shmurah matzah. This type of matzah has been carefully guarded against any contact with water from the time of reaping, grinding, kneading and baking. The source for using shmurah matzah at the Seder comes from the Torah verse, Ush'martem et hamatzot ― "And you shall guard the matzot."
"Seder" literally means "order." The activities and mitzvot of Pesach night were codified into a specific order, because otherwise we could get confused and forget!
There are actually seven different mitzvot that we perform at the Seder. Two are from the Torah:
1) telling the Exodus story
2) eating matzah
The other mitzvot are rabbinical:
3) eating Marror (bitter herbs)
4) eating the Afikomen (an extra piece of matzah for dessert as a reminder of the Passover offering)
5) saying Hallel (Psalms of praise)
6) drinking the Four Cups of wine
7) demonstrating acts of freedom and aristocracy ― e.g. sitting with a pillow cushion and leaning as we eat and drink, and beginning the meal "with a dip."
The 15 steps of our Seder were composed in the 11th century by Talmudic commentators, either Rashi or Tosfot.
Laws of the Four Cups of Wine
At the Seder, every Jew should drink four cups of wine corresponding to the four expressions of freedom mentioned in the Torah (Exodus 6: 6-7).
Since we are free people this evening, nobody should pour their own wine, but rather each person should pour for another ― as if we are royalty who have servants.
It is best to use red wine, since this alludes to the blood spilled by Pharaoh, the blood as part of the Ten Plagues, and the blood the Jews put on their doorposts.
Someone who has difficulty drinking wine may use grape juice, but should add a little wine so that the taste of alcohol is detectable.
Everyone should have their own wine cup, which holds a Revi'it ― i.e. a minimum of 98cc (3.3 oz.) according to Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, or 150cc (5.1 oz.) according to the Chazon Ish. When Passover falls on Shabbat, the minimum amount for the first cup is 4.42 oz., even according to Rabbi Feinstein.
It is preferable to drink the entire cup of wine for each of the Four Cups. Otherwise, you should at least drink a majority of the cup.
Jewish law defines an act of "drinking" as two swallows without pausing. This is the preferable way to consume the Four Cups. Otherwise, you should at least consume the wine within four minutes.
As an expression of freedom, the Sages enacted leaning to the side while drinking the Four Cups of wine. Everyone should lean to the left and back!
The Blessings
Kiddush should be recited while seated. You should have in mind to fulfill two mitzvot:
1) the mitzvah of Kiddush that we say on every Shabbat and Yom Tov
2) plus the special mitzvah to drink Four Cups of wine at the Seder
When saying the Shehechianu blessing, you should have in mind that it applies to all the various mitzvot of Seder night.
When the Seder falls on Saturday night, you should also make the Havdalah blessings as listed in the text, using the Yom Tov candles as your Havdalah candle.
Urchatz
Everyone at the Seder now washes their hands in the manner of washing for bread ― pouring water from a cup, covering each hand up to the wrist. This is done WITHOUT a blessing.
We do this because any detached food that has become wet with certain liquids (water, wine, blood, dew, milk, olive oil and honey) makes the food susceptible to spiritual uncleanliness and requires washing of hands if the food will be eaten with the hands. Therefore, if the food will be eaten with a fork, then no washing is necessary. In that case, at least the leader should wash his hands, and then dip all the pieces.
Karpas
Take the Karpas vegetable and dip it in salt water.
This must be a vegetable whose bracha is Borei Pri Ha-Adamah when eaten raw, but that is not useable for Marror. Options include celery, parsley, or potato.
During preparation, it is important to check the vegetable carefully, since leafy vegetables in particular can contain tiny insects, which are obviously not kosher to eat.
One should eat LESS than the size of a kezayit (15 grams), to avoid having to say an after-blessing.
You should have in mind that the blessing will also cover the blessing on the Marror ― thus linking the Karpas to the meal, and fulfilling your after-blessing obligation with Grace After Meals.
If you inadvertently ate more than a kezayit, post facto you need not say an after-blessing.
Yachatz
The leader of the Seder breaks the middle matzah in two. The smaller piece is put back in between the other two matzot, to be eaten later at Hamotzi. The larger piece is wrapped up and becomes the Afikomen.
The Talmud states that children should try to "steal" the Afikomen in order that they will be encouraged to remain awake during the Seder.
Notice that the two mitzvot of eating matzah at the Seder will be from the same piece.
Maggid
As we begin the main part of the Seder ― the telling of the Exodus ― it is important to have a good translation of the Haggadah so you can understand what you are saying. This first paragraph of the Haggadah is written not in Hebrew, but in Aramaic, which was the common language of the time.
Many have the custom of saying aloud, "I hereby am about to fulfill the mitzvah of telling the Exodus story."
We uncover the matzot, then keep the broken matzah raised for all to see, until the start of the Four Questions.
Four Questions
Remove the Seder plate from the table until it is time to eat. We do this in order to prompt questions, and also to show that we're not going to eat until we've told the story!
It is customary for the youngest person at the Seder to recite the Four Questions.
At this time, we also pour the Second Cup of wine.
Avadim Hayeenu
The three matzot should be left uncovered for the duration of telling the Exodus story.
The Mishnah Brura says that this declaration, "We were slaves in Egypt," is the essential answer to the Four Questions, and that after this point it is permitted for young children to go to sleep.
Vi-Hee She-Amda
In an expression of joy, the matzot are covered and the wine glasses are raised while reciting this paragraph.
Ten Plagues
Every time one of the plagues is mentioned, we dip our finger in the wine and spill a drop. This reminds us that our cup of joy is not complete because people had to die for our salvation. Thus it is considered insensitive ― after completing the drops ― to lick one's finger!
Rather than your "pinky" finger, you should use your "pointer finger" (Etzba in Hebrew), which corresponds to the declaration in the Torah that the plagues were Etzba Elohim ― "the finger of God" (Exodus 8:15).
You should spill a total of 16 drops ― three for "blood, fire and pillars of smoke," 10 more for the plagues, and another three for Rabbi Yehudah's abbreviation.
After all the drops have been spilled, the cup should be refilled.
Lificach
Cover the matzot, raise the cup of wine, and recite the paragraph aloud and joyfully.
Second Cup
When you drink the wine, don't forget to lean. So important is this expression of freedom, that if one forgets to lean while drinking the Second Cup, the law states you have to drink it again!
If we already made the blessing over wine on the First Cup, why do we make a new blessing here again? Because of the significant time-lapse between the two cups.
Rachtza
Since we already washed our hands previously before the Karpas, you should intentionally make your hands dirty, so that the blessing on the washing here should not be in vain. This can be accomplished by touching your shoe or scratching your head.
How do we wash our hands? First, fill a large cup with water. Remove any rings from your fingers. Pour half the water - two times - over your right hand, up to the wrist. Then pour the remaining water - two times - over your left hand. Then say the blessing and dry your hands. (See instructional video.)
From this point onward, be careful not to talk until you've eaten the matzah. This is to avoid any "mental interruptions" between the washing and the eating.
Better yet, try not to get involved in any side-talk until after you've finished eating also the Marror (bitter herbs) and the Korech sandwich. In this way, the blessings of "Motzi, Matzah and Marror" will also carry over to the sandwich.
Motzi
It is a Torah mitzvah to eat matzah on Seder night.
Jewish law defines an act of "eating" as swallowing a kezayit within two to four minutes (kiday achilat pras). If this is difficult, you may sip some water while eating. At the very least, the matzah must be consumed within nine minutes.
The time begins not with the first bite, but with the first swallow. Therefore, you can gain some extra time by chewing up some matzah before taking the first swallow.
A kezayit is approximately 45-50 cc, which is roughly two thirds of a square matzah, or one half of the hand-made round matzah. (According to the Chazon Ish, the amount is about 25 percent bigger.)
Unlike when we make "Hamotzi" on Shabbat, on Passover we do not dip the matzah in salt. This is because it is a special mitzvah to taste the matzah itself.
There is a custom as well to kiss the matzah before eating it, in accordance with the verse, "Serve God with joy" (Psalms 100:2).
Before the leader recites the blessing, everyone should have prepared in front of them enough matzah to fulfill the mitzvah properly.
Don't forget to eat the matzah while leaning to the left.
Matzah
We recite a second blessing over matzah as the special mitzvah of Seder night.
After reciting the blessing, the leader should break both matzot together, so there is minimal interruption between the blessings and the eating.
Since there is probably not enough from the top and middle matzah to fulfill everyone's minimum volume of 45-50 cc, everyone should eat at least a small piece of both these two matzot, supplementing it with other matzot from the table.
The Vilna Gaon says that a Jew fulfills a mitzvah every time he eats a kezayit of matzah during the entire week of Passover.
Marror
Take an amount of Marror equivalent to the size of a kezayit. Even though many have the custom of using horseradish, the Talmud nevertheless includes Chasa ― Romaine lettuce - as one vegetable which may be used as Marror.
If Romaine lettuce is used, the leaves should total eight-by-ten inches, or about 25-29 cc. Extreme care should be taken to check the lettuce since frequently there are small bugs in the leaves.
If horseradish is used, it should be compacted into 1.1 fluid ounce ― an amount equivalent to one half of a typical egg.
Horseradish in jars bought from the stores should not be used, since sweeteners are added to make them less bitter. Particularly problematic is "red horseradish" which is actually a mixture of beets and horseradish.
If you use pure horseradish, it should be ground up before Yom Tov begins.
Before making the blessing, the Marror should be dipped into the Charoset, and then shaken off. The Talmud says a bit of Charoset serves as an "antiseptic" to dilute the harsh effects of the Marror. When reciting the blessing, have in mind that the Marror will be eaten in the "Korech sandwich" as well.
You should not lean while eating the Marror.
It must be consumed within two to four minutes of the first swallow.
Korech
Take the bottom matzah (remaining from the original three) and make a sandwich with the Marror.
For this mitzvah, it is okay to use smaller amounts. The amount of matzah should be approximately 23-25 cc ― roughly one-third of a square matzah, or one-fourth of a round matzah. (According to the Chazon Ish, the amount is about 25 percent bigger.)
The amount of Marror needed is 3.6 by 2.7 inches of Romaine lettuce, or 0.7 compacted fluid ounce of horseradish.
Dip the sandwich into the Charoses and then shake it off.
Say the paragraph of "Remembrance of the Temple." There is no blessing.
Eat the sandwich while leaning to the left.
It must be consumed within two to four minutes of the first swallow.
Shulchan Aruch
Eat a festive meal. It is traditional to begin the meal with an egg, which symbolizes the Chagigah offering. This way, everyone starts the Seder meal with the same thing ― as in Temple times when everyone ate the Chagigah offering.
The meal should preferably end before midnight, in order to eat the Afikomen by that time. It is important not to eat so much that you will be too full to eat the Afikomen.
The meal should not include any roasted meat, in order to distinguish our meal from that of Temple times, when the "Pascal lamb" was eaten roasted. (Dry-pan roasting is a problem; the juices produced are not sufficient to be considered "cooking.")
The meal is actually an extension of the "Hallel" praises, so one should continue to speak about the Exodus throughout the meal. As well, the entire meal should ideally be eaten while leaning to the left.
Afikomen
The Afikomen should preferably be eaten before the middle of the night. (This exact time will vary depending on geographic location; check with your local rabbi.) If eating the Afikomen by that time will mean rushing through the Seder, then it may be eaten later.
The Afikomen should be eaten while you are "full" ― yet with some room still left in your stomach. If you are full to the point of "stuffed," eating the Afikomen might not halachically be considered an act of "eating."
The amount of matzah that everyone should eat for the Afikomen is a kezayit. This equals approximately 45-50 cc, which is roughly two thirds of a square matzah, or one half of the hand-made round matzot. (According to the Chazon Ish, the amount is about 25 percent bigger.) If an individual finds eating this amount difficult, then he may eat half that amount.
Be sure to give each person at least one small piece from the Afikomen, and then make up the remaining volume from other matzot.
After the Afikomen, nothing else should be eaten for the remainder of the night ― except for the drinking of water, tea, and the remaining two cups of wine.
The Afikomen is eaten while leaning to the left.
It must be consumed within two to four minutes of the first swallow.
Barech
Everyone should rinse their wine cup clean, and then fill it for the Third Cup, which will be drunk at the conclusion of "Grace After Meals."
It is customary for the master of the house to lead the "Grace After Meals" on the night of Passover.
On various occasions during the year, the leader will say "Grace After Meals" while holding a cup of wine. At the Seder, everyone may do so!
Third Cup / Hallel
The Hallel prayers (praises of God) are completed while holding the Third Cup of Wine. It is preferable to drink the entire cup of wine. Otherwise, you should at least drink a majority of the cup.
It is preferable to "drink" the cup in two swallows without pausing. Otherwise, you should at least consume the wine within four minutes.
Don't forget to lean to the left while drinking.
Open Door for Elijah
Pour the Fourth Cup, and also the extra cup for Elijah.
It is customary to use the "leftovers" from Elijah's cup for Kiddush the next day.
Fourth Cup
It is preferable to drink the entire cup of wine. Otherwise, you should at least drink a majority of the cup.
It is preferable to "drink" the cup in two swallows without pausing. Otherwise, you should at least consume the wine within four minutes.
Don't forget to lean to the left while drinking.
The after-blessing for wine should then be recited.
Chad Gadya This is the song of the little goat meaning Israel until Moshiach comes.
Although the Seder has officially ended, it is praiseworthy to continue speaking about the Exodus until sleep overtakes you. Many have the custom of reciting "Song of Songs" at this time.
Film on ideas for the Seder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r0iPddQgAI&fbclid=IwAR1f3zu33HuXvMqmTwLKqizsEJ9QEzhl_4GulvdFdywIKUjAhfdniGpH8M0
In addition to the normal Pesach
cleaning, kashering, cooking, purchasing anxiety that we normally have before
Pesach, we have the Corona virus. Maybe we should channel our anxieties to
praying for the Moshiach now! Chag Kosher V’ Samayach to all!
Providing
Pesach Expenses by Rabbi Yerachmiel Tilles
There was a Jew who made
his living by smuggling periodically barrels of hard liquor. Came the day when
the border guards caught him at the crossing and confiscated all of his new
supply. He came crying to the holy Rebbe of Lizhensk, the Noam Elimelech,
and related to him his whole sad story.
"The border guards
took from me 20 barrels of hard liquor. I was able to purchase them only
because several friends lent me the funds, and now I have nothing to repay them
with and no way to provide for my family."
The Rebbe's mercy was
aroused. He gazed at the distraught man with gentle eyes and said, "Go
back to the guards and tell them that your barrels never had any hard liquor in
them; they are filled to the brim with water only."
This made no sense to the
chasid, but he dutifully followed the Rebbe’s instructions nevertheless. The
guards laughed at him and quickly opened spigots of the barrels one after the
other, clearly hoping to enjoy a nice intoxicating drink, and tasted the
contents. Alas, it was only water, exactly as the man had said. Without
hesitation, they returned the barrels to him.
The man returned to the
house of the Rebbe Elimelech, again wailing in grief. "Rebbe, you saved me
from being arrested, but I'm still in a hopeless situation; the liquor in my
barrels all transformed into water.
The Rebbe responded
instantly. "Go taste from the barrels, but don't forget to make a blessing
with kavanah (focused attention) first."
The man ran outside to his
wagon. When he uncorked the first spigot the escaping strong vapor of alcohol
almost caused him to pass out. He drew a little of the contents into a cup and
tasted. The quality was excellent, beyond compare to anything within his
experience.
________________
Source: See the introduction to
the story.
Connection: See the introduction to
the story.
Biographical notes (in order of appearance):
Rabbi Yisrael Haupstein [5497 - 14 Tishrei 5575 (1737 - Sept. 1814 C.E.)], the "Maggid" (preacher) of Koznitz was a major disciple of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk and the author of the chassidic-kabbalistic work, Avodas Yisrael, and other books. His miraculous birth to an elderly couple is the subject of a famous Baal Shem Tov story.
Rabbi Yisrael Haupstein [5497 - 14 Tishrei 5575 (1737 - Sept. 1814 C.E.)], the "Maggid" (preacher) of Koznitz was a major disciple of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk and the author of the chassidic-kabbalistic work, Avodas Yisrael, and other books. His miraculous birth to an elderly couple is the subject of a famous Baal Shem Tov story.
Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk
[of blessed memory: 5477 - 21 Adar 5547 (1717 - March 1787 C.E.)], was a
leading disciple of the Maggid of Mezritch, successor to the Baal Shem Tov, and
the leading Rebbe of the subsequent generation in Poland-Galitzia. Many of the
great chasidic dynasties stem from his disciples. It is told that before he
died, Rebbe Elimelech bequeathed the sight of his eyes to the Chozeh
(Seer) of Lublin, the spirit of his heart to the Kozhnitzer Maggid, the soul of
his mind to Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Rimanov, and the power of speech to Rebbe
Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apt. Other major disciples included Rabbi Naftali
Tzvi of Ropshitz, Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sassov, and Rabbi Klonymos Kalman
Epstein, known as the Maor VaShemesh. His book, Noam Elimelech, is one
of the most popular of all chasidic works.
Shabbos I had a surprise. The people on the street above mine
started praying welcoming in the Bride for Shabbos aka the Lecha Dodi Prayer
and the whole service also Shabbos Morning Service minus the Sefer Torah and
the Parsha and Haftarah were read from a book.
Pesach
in the Gulag: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/25487
Ganz
defends himself. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/SkGMu9jUU
Psalms for our nation. https://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/general/1845443/heartbreaking-tuesday-niftarim-partial-list-of-covid-19-victims.html?fbclid=IwAR1wouNKS6BiShRW8_I0nba221VbE9vvzDocfwJ8Raz2FmySl9Vmt5CBx08
BDE too many from Chabad Crown Heights have passed
away that it is next to impossible to keep up with the posts. This young man
moved to Lakewood and he left orphans. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278041
34% of Bnei Brak has Corona. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/H1zgQDxPI
IDF is experimenting speeding up tests with K-9
dogs to check for Corona. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278052
Corona and the Shin Bet a nail in the coffin of
privacy. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/HydEnEmDI
Israel’s Chief Rabbis call for Shabbos Observance. Last Shabbos had less cars on the road than Yom Kippur. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278190
Ed-Op the failure of the health ministry. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/SyLk0VJvL
Also on health ministry. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1687YlwU
Disconnect of Charedi Community paying the price. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rJSm11zP8
Jewish and Muslim Burials changed for Corona. https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/rkloszmD8
Ultra-Orthodox Community Corona spike. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rktqtmXPI
Covid-19 relief? Zinc & Turmeric? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdKSR_SHZmY
see commentary on Zinc with Turmeric https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEvMVS1rtLg
Friday morning a broadcaster for channel 13
reported that his grandfather who arrived from the same camp with Rabbi Yisrael
Meir Lau passed away from the virus. In Brooklyn the names and the numbers have
grown but since Avraham Aaron Rubashkin was so famous I include this article. https://collive.com/avraham-aaron-rubashkin-92-obm/
Empire Chickens Plant shuts down but there are
enough chickens for Pesach. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278232
Inyanay Diyoma
Gaza decides to act up. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277927
US cases pass 100,000. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277930
Chinese Virus they don’t learn. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277930
FBI will continue Levinson case. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277932
Armed IDF Soldiers to help enforce Curfew. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277932
Corona cases rise. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/SkIroOn8U
Debka on seeking Corona solutions. https://www.debka.com/seeking-the-elusive-herd-effect-to-beat-back-coronavirus-2/
Iran hundreds die from “methanol cure”. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277937
Soldiers
help patrol the streets for lockdown. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277956
New Centrifuges for Iran. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277931
Virus numbers go up arithmetically by 400 a day. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/2UXZPDI57
French Jews hit hard. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/492964
Israeli stuck on cruise ship dies in Italy. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277941
US death toll rises 117,000 cases. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277949
Trump signs a reservist call-up if needed. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277939
Islamist biological bomb plot in Germany. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277895
One of three MK’s that are leaving Blue and White
to go with Ganz. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277929
Government to rent 20 more Corona Hotels. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277904
Hundreds of Charedim violate curfew rules. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/BkicV36IU#autoplay
People taking to the streets could be fatal. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277954
Dr. Martin Sherman back from the brink. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/25451
15th victim dies. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277970
The Ruv says pray alone! http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277962
22year old in critical condition. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277957
This year on-line Chametz sale either Chabad, local
Rabbi or Arutz 7. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277853
Painter shows blood libel. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277933
N. Korea fires 2
missiles. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277951
Close to new Government. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277947
Netanyahu aid tests positive. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/Bk6zalJwI
Fishman Corona in Gaza danger and opportunity. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/Hks4leR88
POTUS extends distancing until Apr. 30th.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277987
BDE Joe Neumann from Monsey stabbing. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277999
Up to 200,000 US Citizens could die. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277998
NJ man charged with
terror vs. Jews. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278002
FL Pastor blames
Jews for rejecting J. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278001
Iran-Iraq Axis
preparing for war with the US. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278001
Soldiers begin
enforcing curfew. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277956
Number
of cases in Israel rise to 4,347: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277981
Death toll in Israel rises to 16: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278014
Fears
of a second Corona Wave when people start returning to work. https://www.debka.com/fears-of-redoubled-coronavirus-assault-in-april-no-remedy-yet-in-sight/
No gatherings of more than two people outside of
family. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278033
4,831 the rate and rise is slowing down but may
zoom up with checks in Bnei Barak. Sofar Yerushalayim leads with 624 cases
about 40% ultra-Orthodox, Bnei Barak 527 or 28.3 to 10,000. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278033
Jordanian death toll rises to 5. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278054
83 in serious condition as two women die one 49 and
the other 50. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278062
This man did not die of Corona. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278014
US death toll hits 3008 with more than 900 in NYC. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278056
Renews Iranian boycott. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278048
Romanian Rabbi permits plague victim’s burial on
Shabbos. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278039
How the Czechs
stopped the virus. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278029
Finally, Israel wakes up. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/SkyTyjxP8
ISRAEL FAILS TO PREPARE FOR A LOCKDOWN OF A SMALL
CITY. Bnei Barak should be under strict lockdown with the army distributing
food like Wuhan Providence did but instead is a loose shut down and still
mingling population as 34% of those tested are positive. Number of cases in
Israel soaring as test are carried out among Charedim and Arab Residents. https://www.debka.com/town-of-bnei-brak-in-near-lockdown-over-out-of-control-coronavirus/
6,211 cases with 29 victims in Israel. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/S2UYCLBWE
Israel ranked 1st in Corona battle. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278094
N. Korean missiles condemned. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278111
People place their parents in the home for the aged
not to be lonely and they die of Corona. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278123
Sheldon Adelson donates 2 million masks to
hospitals NV and NY. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278090
NY - body bags will replace traditional burial
soon. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278021
The truth will come out it was tens of perhaps
hundreds of thousands that died in China.
Israel grants Pesach money to families. https://www.debka.com/festival-grants-for-israeli-families-with-children-and-elderly/
Arab ‘refugees’ packed together next Corona spot. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkub8B7vI
FL Gov. calls for voluntary self-quarantine. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278169
Father and son return to Magen Dovid. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278173
Corona and the Shin Bet a nail in the coffin of
privacy. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/HydEnEmDI
Israel is trying hard to fight the virus. Bnei Brak.
Police are about to seal off parts of Beit Shemesh, Elad as the disease hits a
38% of those checked in Bnei Brak. From Thursday morning to Friday morning 11
more victims leaving a total of 37 out of 7030 ill. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/U15II1F8U
Plans to evacuate the elderly from Bnei Brak. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/Bk3OztXvL
Eiland: Ministry of Health’s mismanagement. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/Sk00bTRWPI
War on Corona may help Charedim integrate. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1E3zUmP8
Friday morning a broadcaster for channel 13
reported that his grandfather who arrived from the same camp with Rabbi Yisrael
Meir Lau passed away from the virus. In Brooklyn the names and the numbers have
grown but since Avraham Aaron Rubashkin was so famous I include this article. https://collive.com/avraham-aaron-rubashkin-92-obm/
Mask directive not being enforced. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/HkKD1w7PL
Empire Chickens Plant shuts down but there are
enough chickens for Pesach. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278232
Clueless Joe Biden lift sanction on Iran. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278225
Attack on Rockville, MD Schul. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278236
3D printer firm donates 100’s of facemasks to
hospitals. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278203
Hungarian Jews provide poultry for Pesach. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278209
ZAKA rescues
body for burial. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278187
Over 1,000,000 unemployed in Israel. US numbers
rise. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278187
Dr. Sherman Edelstein drew the line: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/25485
Have a joyous Pesach. Hopefully, next
year in Yerushalayim. Stay healthy!
Rachamim Pauli
