Chag Sameach

Here's some of the Pesach material you might find interesting:

• Yeshiva University's Pesach To Go is always a favorite.  This time it is highlighted by a great article by our own Mrs. Kahan (I think all of the copies I left in the atrium were taken) on the importance of the Hatan Damim episode as a prelude to yetziat Mitzrayim.  I once read a different explanation that I found compelling as well, in Amittah Shel Torah by Rabbi Yitzchak Twersky (one of our alumna was just telling me how much she enjoys his shiurim in Israel).  Still Mrs. Kahan's analysis opened my eyes about the precise connection between the two בריתות Hashem forges with Avraham and their parallel roles in the geula.
• Also in the Pesach To Go, I'm thrilled that they went back to their old custom of leading off with an old Rabbi Lamm Derasha.  This one is from 1965, and discusses the difference between contrasting types of seacrching for something new.  Here's my favorite paragraph:

Perhaps it is best to distinguish between these two elements of newness by using two different terms: “novelty” and “renewal.” Novelty is the misuse of the inclination for newness for things, for gadgets, for “kicks.” Renewal comes about when we apply the desire for newness to man himself, to achieve new insights which result in the transformation of his soul and his spirit. Novelty is extrinsic; it is a question of packaging. Renewal is intrinsic; it is a matter of content. Novelty is the seeking of thrills; renewal is the thrill of seeking. The desire for novelty is what leads a young man from a Jewish home to date non-Jews and ultimately to intermarry. The search for renewal leads a young person from a background of little or no Jewish education to seek out Torah and mitzvot. If we are concerned only with novelty, then we change Judaism in order to make it palatable for most Jews. But if we seek renewal, then we try to change Jews to make them more worthy of Judaism.

Wow, he is good.  Read the whole thing.

• On that subject, this year I used the new Rabbi Lamm Hagadah "The Royal Table," but not surprisingly couldn't get through much of it - just too much going on at the seder.  My new business idea: a Hagadah with divrei Torah of six lines or less to actually use at the seder.  All of these other ones are good for Yom Tov afternoon or the Talit bag, but don't help much at the seder.
• Finally, I read another strong issue of Maayanei Torah (the student portion, at least).  The last article, an excellent and original one by Talia Moss & Ilana Teicher interestingly enough also touches on the chattan damim story, and even takes a stand on it that I don't think is generally assumed - that Hashem was about to kill Moshe's son, and not Moshe himself.  Question to the authors:  Even assuming that to be the case, in what way did Moshe help Tzippora save him?