On Wednesday March 24th, Chief Rabbi Isaac Sacca participated in a virtual event prior to Pesach for the whole community.
Rabbis, teachers and community leaders explained the steps to follow during the Seder of Pesach and the blessings that are said in each case: Rabbi Gabriel Sacca, director of Menora, Rabbi Simon Dechi, Rabbi Abraham Sacca, Rabbi Uriel Said and the teacher Laura Sacca from Menora; Rabbi Ariel Cattach from ACISBA Study Center, Rabbi Gabriel Said from the young Minyan of ACISBA, Rabbi Neuah from the Latin-Israeli Association of Corrientes and Rabbi Netanel Duer from the Tiferet Bajurim of Flores Community.
The Passover Seder consists of 15 steps, which are the following:
- Kadesh: blessing on wine, which this year includes the Havdalah, a prayer that is recited at the end of Shabbat.
- Urchás: hand washing before dipping a piece of celery in salt water, without saying a blessing.
- Karpás: A piece of celery is dipped in salt water. This step aims to awaken the curiosity of children, who are the main protagonists of the Seder. Celery reminds us of slavery, which started out soft but eventually ended hard. The salt water represents the tears of the slaves.
- Yachás: the 3 Matzot are taken and the one in the middle is split in half; We return the smallest piece to the Keará and the largest piece is reserved for the Afikoman, which is hidden so that the children can look for it at the end of the Seder and keep their attention awake.
- Maggid: the narration of the story of Pesach. It is made up of questions to promote intra-family dialogue. It concludes with the second glass of wine. It includes classic songs like Ma Nishtaná and Dayenu. Some people are used to reciting the Misharotam, which is based on the question: “Where do you come from and where are you going?”
- Rochtzá: we wash our hands before eating the matza, reciting the blessing of Netilat Yadaim.
- Motzí: we prepare to eat the matza. We take the 2 ½ Matzot and say the blessing that is usually said for bread.
- Matza: we fulfill the Mitzva of eating Matza saying the following blessing: “Baruj Atá Ado-nai Elo-henu Mélej Haolam Asher kideshanu vemisvotav vesivanu al ajilat Masá.
- Maror: lettuce or radish leaf, endive, or chrain. The Maror represents bitterness, it alludes to slavery, and at the same time we dip it in Charoset, which is sweet. This teaches us that every situation has its positive side.
- Korech: Masa (Matza) and Maror are ingested together, and Charoset is added to it, to remember the Bet Hamikdash (Temple of Jerusalem).
- Shulchán Orech: we eat the festive meal.
- Safún: we eat the Afikoman, in memory of the Korbán Pesach that was eaten after the festive dinner.
- Barech: we drink the third glass of wine and we recite the Bircat Hamazón, blessing of thanks to G’d for the food.
- Hallel: Praises to G’d are recited, followed by the fourth cup of wine.
- Nirtzá (acceptance): the Almighty will accept and receive the Seder with joy and His reward will be full.
Chief Rabbi Isaac Sacca congratulated all the participants, organizers and communities present in the event.
He explained that there are two elements that we must sow in life and promote in our children: on the one hand, accept the story, live the experience, and on the other hand, encourage study, reason, reflection and dialogue.
