Preface

An offering like no other, the Pascal offering, or Korban Pesach, distinguishes itself from other sacrifices. Although it is a personal sacrifice offered by individual Jews, its essential nature is that of a communal offering. Hence, the Torah dictates that all of the Korbanos Pesach be sacrificed together in one place – the Temple, on one afternoon, and in three communal groups. In addition, this Korban is distinct in that it is eaten not individually, but in groups. According to some opinions, offering the Korban Pesach for only one person disqualifies it from the outset. This mingling of element, the synthesis of individual responsibility and communal cohesivesness, goes beyond the minutia relating to this single Korban to teach us a relevant Every Jew must be concerned not only with their own personal welfare, but to see themselves as part of the greater whole, the Jewish nation. The Korban Pesach, which was brought on the eve of our exodus from Egypt, created the notion of the Jewish collective. All of those who participated in this initiative became part of the newly formed Jewish community – Tzibbur. Every year when Jews participated in the Korban Pesach during the era of the Temple they rededicated themselves not only to personal service of Hashem, but to communal responsibilities. At today's seder table we continue to relive the Korban Pesach and its commitment to these ideals. We remind ourselves that we must serve Hashem with our community; religious isolation is unacceptable. With this in mind, our actions will be significant in the fulfillment of both aspects of the Korban Pesach, both the personal and the communal.
It is with this communal spirit that we delight in the opportunity to express our gratitude to those individuals who have enabled and inspired us in the creation of this volume and in our learning as members of the Bella and Harry Wexner Kollel.
First and foremost, we recognize the visionary benificence of Ms. Susan Wexner and her late mother, Mrs. Bella Wexner, a"h. They designed and established an unparalleled institute of diligent Torah study and refined professional training to serve today's blossoming Jewish community. We are in indebted to President Richard M. Joel and Rosh HaYeshiva Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm for their dedicated leadership of RIETS. We express our gratitude to Rabbi Zevulun Charlop, the Max and Marion Grill dean of RIETS, for his care and concern for each member of the Kollel. We are grateful to Rabbi Chaim Bronstein, administrator of RIETS, for his day to day assistance and to the entire staff of the Center for the Jewish Future for providing us with learning opportunities inside and outside of Yeshiva. We express profound appreciation to our Roshei Kollel, Rav Mordechai Willig, shlit"a, and Rav Michael Rosensweig, shlit"a, whose Torah insight and sage counsel will continue to educate and inspire us throughout our lives. Finally, we humbly thank our families, and particularly our spouses, for their constant support.