"You will then be able to tell your children and grandchildren my miraculous signs that I have performed among them, and you will know that I am G-d." (Shemos 10:2) QUESTION: Since the Torah is telling us to relate to our children and grandchildren what happened in Egypt, should it not have said "vayeide'u" -- "and thus they will know"? ANSWER: Parents are obligated to teach their children about Hashem and enhance and strengthen their faith in Him. Their efforts carry a two-fold reward: 1) Ultimately, their work will bear fruit and they will merit to have children who will be attached to Hashem. 2) Through teaching and talking to the children, the parents, too, will experience an enhancement and strengthening of their faith. Similarly, in the Gemara (Ta'anit 7a), Rabbi Chaninah says "I learned much from my teachers and more than that from my colleagues, and from my students more than from all."

"There was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days. One did not see his own brother." (10:22-23) QUESTION: They were unable to see anything; why the emphasis on one's brother? ANSWER: Many years ago a man emigrated from a small town in Russia to the United States. His business enterprises were blessed with success and he became very wealthy. A few years later, his brother arrived, found his way to the successful brother's home, and presented himself to the doorman as the brother of his master. The doorman directed him to the waiting area and afterwards came back with a message that his master had no brother. He sent back a number of signs hoping that his brother would recognize him. Again the doorman came back: "Sorry, my master says he has no brother and does not know you." Disappointed and hurt, he told the doorman to tell his master, "I advise him to make a will immediately, because he does not have much time left to live." Petrified, the brother rushed to the door and asked in alarm, "How can you make such a statement? My doctor proclaimed me in excellent health!" The immigrant brother looked his brother in the eyes and said, "The city in which we grew up as brothers was very small and poor. The townspeople were unable to afford a full-time physician. I studied first-aid and administered their medical needs. From my experience I learned that when a patient can no longer 'recognize' his own brother, his situation is extremely serious and he has little time left to live."

"Do not eat of it partially raw, or cooked in water, only roasted over fire." (12:9) QUESTION: The meat of the sacrifices may be eaten by Kohanim in whatever manner suits their palates. They may eat it cooked, broiled or roasted, etc. (Rambam, Ma'aseh haKarbanot 10:10). Why did Hashem insist that the karban Pesach be eaten only roasted with fire? ANSWER: Partially raw and fully cooked meat hardly have an aroma. Roasted meat, however, can be smelled at a distance. The Jews slaved in Egypt for many years and were petrified of their Egyptian masters. Hashem's command to offer a sheep, the animal worshipped by the Egyptians, as a karban Pesach frightened them. In order not to arouse the wrath of the Egyptians, they were going to eat it partially raw or fully cooked, hoping that the Egyptians would not notice. Consequently, Hashem told Moshe to tell the people, "Enough is enough! Stop walking with your heads bowed down. Lift them up and be proud of the fact that you are Jews and free people. Roast the sacrifice on fire, let the aroma be smelled from one end of Egypt to the other, and let the entire country know that you are proudly worshipping your G-d." (From: VeDibarta Bam by Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky)

It is forbidden to relate a story for entertainment purposes only, if it contains derogatory or harmful information. To relate an amusing incident that would cause embarrassment to any of the people involved if told in their presence constitutes speaking loshon hora. Many a humorous situation is actually quite painful to the person involved.(From: Chafetz Chaim: A Lesson a Day by Rabbi Shimon Finkelman and Rabbi Yitzchak Berkowitz)

The Talmud states that no man even a gentile in the marketplace ever preceded Rabban Yochanan teen Zakkai in extending a greeting of peace (Berachos 1 7a). Our Sages taught: "Initiate a greeting of peace to every person" (Avos 4:20). What is meant by "every person"? Even if you know that someone bears you ill will, nevertheless, initiate a greeting of peace toward him. This will awaken a feeling of love for you within him. And even if he will not humble himself to make peace with you, G-d will humble him before you [so that he will not cause you any harm]. An allusion to this is found in Scripture, "But if he does not make peace with you ... HASHEM shall deliver him into your hand" (Devarim 20:12-13). (a translation from the Chofetz Chaim's writings on the philosophy of proper speech from the Sefer Shmiras Halashon, www.chofetzchaim.org)

At the time of the future Redemption, the darkness of exile will be transformed into light; indeed, the exile itself will be transformed into redemption. Indeed already now, in the time of exile, we are allowed to savor a semblance of this transformation - when even in conditions of exile Jews are granted mastery over worldly things, and receive assistance from the governments under which they live. This is especially evident in our generation, both in this benevolent land, and in that other land, which has helped Jews find their way from distress to freedom. The reason: Ours is the last generation of the exile and the first generation of the Redemption. And the nearer we approach the Redemption, the more clearly can we perceive that the world is being prepared for the transformation of the exile in the imminent Redemption, by means of our foretaste of this transformation during the time of exile. (From: From Exile to Redemption, From a talk of the Rebbe on Shabbos Parshas Vayigash, 5751 [1990])

The Alter Rebbe said: Jewish physical matter is spiritual. G-d gives us material bounty for us to transform into something spiritual. When occasionally it is not so t the moment (G-d has not provided the material wealth), then we must give G-d whatever we can, even a "pauper's offering." And then he gives generously.(From Rebbe's Hayom Yom, Tevet 27).

-The Rebbe