A message from Rabbi Yosef Zarnighian

It is the custom of Sepharadim to recite Shir Ha-shirim, Song of Songs, during Passover. In this very deep book, authored by King Solomon, we read (ibid 5:1): Eat, friends; drink to intoxication, beloved ones. Rabbi Menaḥem Azarya of Fano, Italy, (1548-1620) writes that this verse alludes to the night of the Passover Seder. We are urged to eat heartily during the meal, and then drink the third and fourth cups of wine which follow the meal. This "intoxication," according to Rabbi Azarya, is: "Shichrut She’en Bo Genai" – a type of intoxication which is not discouraged, as intoxication normally is. But why is this night different compared to all other nights?

Our Sages (Berakhot 7b) teach that a person who is drunk forgets his problems and difficulties, and experiences nothing but blissful joy – and this experience is reflected in King David’s praises to G-d in the book of Psalms. Even under the worst of circumstances, even in situations of hardship, and even when experiencing pain, he gave praise to G-d. His son, King Solomon, also not only praised G-d in good times, but also in hard times, fully trusting and believing that everything Hashem does is always for the best. By the time we reach the latter part of the Seder, when we sing joyous songs of praise to G-d, we are to have arrived at exalted levels of trust in Hashem's hand over us, whereby we give praise in a state of "intoxication," viewing everything in our lives as positive. The Seder is meant to bring us to a point of trust in the Almighty where we become "drunk" from joy and contentment, where we are no longer troubled and pained by our hardships, and are able to give praise to Him irrespective of the situation.

The more we build this belief within ourselves, the better able we will be to live happy and content lives no matter what bumps we encounter along the road.

May we merit a full redemption of Israel this Passover, amen.