"The Sabbath before Pesach is called Shabbat HaGadol [the Great Sabbath] due to the miracle that occurred then." (Orach Chaim 430)
"During the year in which the Israelites left Egypt, the tenth of Nissan was on the Sabbath. Every Israelite took a lamb for his paschal offering and tied it to the foot of his bed; as [the Torah] says, 'On the tenth of this month, every man must take a lamb for each extended family.' The Egyptians saw this and asked them, 'Why are you doing this?' They answered, 'It is to slaughter it as a paschal offering in accordance with G-d's command to us.' The Egyptians ground their teeth in anger because the Israelites were slaughtering their gods, yet they could not react. And because the tenth fell on a Sabbath, it was decided that the Sabbath before Pesach would always be called Shabbat HaGadol." (Mishnah Berurah, Ibid.)
It was a double miracle that occurred. It was the first time in history that the Jewish People stood erect against their oppressors and fulfilled the will of G-d over that of their masters. Another miracle was that the Egyptians, who were accustomed to subjugating the Israelites, did nothing to them in response, and accepted it obsequiously.
The Israelites truly performed a bold deed, fearlessly holding their heads up against their oppressors, out of faith and trust in G-d. They nullified the will of their enslavers and performed the will of their Maker. The result was enormous assistance from G-d. The Egyptians had been accustomed to enslaving and subjugating the Israelites for hundreds of years, yet they now lacked the strength and ability to react against Israel.
This is a great miracle that must stand as an example for those who have sought freedom and liberation down through the generations. It was akin to David's going forth against Goliath with faith and trust in G-d, and to the High Priest Mattathias and his sons going forth against the Greeks and achieving a resounding victory. It was akin to the ghetto fighters who fought their oppressors during the terrible Holocaust; and to the fight of the underground against the British before the establishment of the State. It was akin to the Russian refuseniks who took on the despotic Communist regime, with faith and trust in the justness of their demand to return to Zion. Ultimately, the Iron Curtain preventing their aliyah was torn down.
In our own times as well, the settlers of Judea and Samaria are working to settle the land of our life's blood, out of trust and faith that they are doing the will of G-d, who commanded us to settle the Land with self-sacrifice. They cause the Jewish People to stand more erect against their enemies and oppressors.
Through their efforts, may we merit to see the fulfillment of G-d's promise: "As in the days of your exiting Egypt will I show them wonders." (Michah 7:15)
"During the year in which the Israelites left Egypt, the tenth of Nissan was on the Sabbath. Every Israelite took a lamb for his paschal offering and tied it to the foot of his bed; as [the Torah] says, 'On the tenth of this month, every man must take a lamb for each extended family.' The Egyptians saw this and asked them, 'Why are you doing this?' They answered, 'It is to slaughter it as a paschal offering in accordance with G-d's command to us.' The Egyptians ground their teeth in anger because the Israelites were slaughtering their gods, yet they could not react. And because the tenth fell on a Sabbath, it was decided that the Sabbath before Pesach would always be called Shabbat HaGadol." (Mishnah Berurah, Ibid.)
It was a double miracle that occurred. It was the first time in history that the Jewish People stood erect against their oppressors and fulfilled the will of G-d over that of their masters. Another miracle was that the Egyptians, who were accustomed to subjugating the Israelites, did nothing to them in response, and accepted it obsequiously.
The Israelites truly performed a bold deed, fearlessly holding their heads up against their oppressors, out of faith and trust in G-d. They nullified the will of their enslavers and performed the will of their Maker. The result was enormous assistance from G-d. The Egyptians had been accustomed to enslaving and subjugating the Israelites for hundreds of years, yet they now lacked the strength and ability to react against Israel.
This is a great miracle that must stand as an example for those who have sought freedom and liberation down through the generations. It was akin to David's going forth against Goliath with faith and trust in G-d, and to the High Priest Mattathias and his sons going forth against the Greeks and achieving a resounding victory. It was akin to the ghetto fighters who fought their oppressors during the terrible Holocaust; and to the fight of the underground against the British before the establishment of the State. It was akin to the Russian refuseniks who took on the despotic Communist regime, with faith and trust in the justness of their demand to return to Zion. Ultimately, the Iron Curtain preventing their aliyah was torn down.
In our own times as well, the settlers of Judea and Samaria are working to settle the land of our life's blood, out of trust and faith that they are doing the will of G-d, who commanded us to settle the Land with self-sacrifice. They cause the Jewish People to stand more erect against their enemies and oppressors.
Through their efforts, may we merit to see the fulfillment of G-d's promise: "As in the days of your exiting Egypt will I show them wonders." (Michah 7:15)