If you had to guess, what would you think is the first law recorded in our law code pertaining to Passover? Perhaps the ridding the home of chametz? Maybe the laws of worship or Torah reading on those days? Or perhaps how to conduct a seder?
In fact, in the Shulchan Aruch, the Rama’s first halakhah tells us “It is customary to buy wheat to give to the poor for Pesach. And whoever is residing in the city for twelve months must give for this.” (SA, OH 429)
What does this mean? It means that before we even begin to arrange for our own Passover, we must buy wheat (chittim) for those who are less fortunate. It means that all the members of the community are meant to donate for this cause. Now, we don’t have to go out and purchase matzah for others, but we should donate to a fund that will make sure that everyone can partake in Passover. Today we call this mitzvah Ma’ot Chittim, which literally means “purchasing wheat.”
This is the very first mitzvah associated with Passover, and that is no accident. Before we think about whom to invite to our seder, or what to cook, or when to clean, we must think about others and fulfil this mitzvah. In fact, it is said that only those who make an effort to help others have the right to begin their Pesach seder with the words, “Let all who are hungry come and eat.”
There is a story about a rabbi who was approached by a woman with a halakhic question: she wanted to know whether it is permissible to drink four cups of milk, instead of four cups of wine. Why would someone want to do this? Only because of her lack of funds to afford the wine. The rabbi answered her question but giving her a large sum of money—much more than necessary to buy the wine. His wife was puzzled, “why give her so much money just for wine?” The rabbi answered, “If she was planning to drink milk at her seder, she must not have been planning to cook meat—itself a great expense. Thus, he gave her enough money for both.
Our community will convene two seders this year—one geared for families, and one more traditional. Both will be on the 2nd night of the holiday, April 13. We want to ensure that everyone is able to access these seders and have the opportunity to participate fully in observance of the holiday with the community. To that end, we have established a Ma’ot Chittim fund so our members can donate directly for this purpose and in fulfillment of this primary mitzvah. Beneficiaries of your mitzvah will be clients of JFS and university students. Anonymity will be maintained on both ends.
Thank you for engaging in this important mitzvah and ensuring that everyone can have a meaningful Pesach.
Click here to donate: https://kehillatbethisrael.shulcloud.com/payment.php?donation_type_id=7615999