Rabbi Chananel’s Passover Lesson:
Ready? Getting Ready? Always Ready? Born Ready!?

You’ve got your wine.
You’ve got your Matzah.
You’ve cleaned the house from top to bottom.
You’re ready to go!
Right? 
Hmmm…

On Passover we discuss our values.
We spend the night passing our values to the next generation. 
We’ll talk about Freedom and Oppression.
Redemption and Promise. 
History and Future. 
We’ll discuss trials and tribulations, miracles, faith, belief, and knowledge, and so much more. 
The list of things to talk about connected to Passover is never ending.

However, I find that oftentimes one very important value is overlooked. 
It’s one that’s easy to miss, but it may be one of the the most important of them all. 
It’s actually the one we probably spend the most time on, too. 
It’s the one that without it we can’t even do the other mitzvos of the holiday. 
It’s the value that holds all of the other value together…and it’s overlooked?? 
I think so.
So, what is it already?? 

— Preparation  

Passover panic begins at least a month before Seder night. 
When you think about Passover you dive into myriad details down to every crumb and morsel. 
The house, the car, the office, the clothes, the toys, and everywhere else has to be prepared. 
For sure we are all diligent about it, too. 
We do everything that needs to be done to be ready, all that is required of us.  

But, how is that a value?
Of course we need to get ready to do the mitzvos, but a value?

Well…do you do that with your life, too?
Do you search yourself to “clean out” the stuff that’s holding you back from greatness?
Do you look high and low for your shortcomings to strengthen them, and your strengths to build on? 

In Judaism we understand that preparing ourself is in and of itself a value. 
Building ourselves in to great people.
Educating ourselves to be strong and proud of our heritage, to be true Jewish leaders.
Envisioning self actualization. 
Charting a course to reach our goals. 
Strengthening ourselves to face adversity and overcome challenges.
Standing ready for times when it gets really difficult. 
What about when the monkey wrenches get thrown in; those oh so delightful curveballs of life that threaten our productivity and minds? 
The only way to be ready is to prepare beforehand. For all of it. 

The cleaning, the shopping, the worrying, preparing content to deliver at the Seder along with the ideas to be discussed, setting up tricks to engage everyone around the table on Seder night, and everything else involved in getting ready for the biggest night of the year is all an analogy for how to build ourselves and prepare ourselves every day for all life throws at us. 
Proper preparation is one of Judaism’s keys to a successful life. 
It’s such a major part of Passover, yet overlooked time and again. 
May we all be blessed to prepare well today and for all the future holds! 
A Chag, Kosher V’Sameach to everyone!! 
Wishing everyone a wonderful, uplifting, inspirational, and joyous Passover!! 
Good Shabbas!!
Chananel 

PS Yes, I purposefully added a ton of concepts and ideas for you to consider around your Seder table. Feel free to share, print, and distribute in order to spur discussion and debate on the key concepts of Passover – enjoy!