Timeless Torah

“Whoever is hungry, let him come and eat, whoever is in need, let him come and join in celebrating the Pesach Festival.”

The table is set, the children sit eager to ask the four questions and all are anxious to begin the Seder. But wait! Before one can begin, rich and poor alike prepare to share their meal. The invitation, if studied closely, consists of two phrases. According to our Sages, “Whoever is hungry” refers to those so poor they cannot afford the basic necessities for the Seder. To them we gladly say, “Come and eat.” The second phrase, “Whoever is in need” refers to another sort of hunger. Among our brethren there are those who are poor in spirit. They wish to experience the joy of the holiday, and discover its inner meaning. To them we say, “Come and join us in celebrating the Pesach Festival.”

What an effect these simple words must have not only for our guests, but for us and our children. Yes, the Jew is charitable. The mere fact that another is in need - physically or spiritually - gives him the right to my help. Whether he has earned it or not, whether he deserves it or not, their pain must be my pain, their hunger - my hunger.

In fact, placing this invitation at the very outset of the Seder implies something even deeper. How can I celebrate and enjoy the taste of freedom when I know of my neighbor’s hunger?

Today our offer must take place even before we sit at the table. For although the Hagaddah speaks of only four sons, in our time of spiritual bankruptcy there is a fifth son. Unlike the first four who differ in their reactions and questions concerning the ceremony, they have one thing in common. They are all present at the Seder. The fifth however, is conspicuous by his absence. He has no interest in Jewish observance. Worse, he is not aware that any form of observance is required.

This problem should command our attention long before the holiday and motivate us to cry out loud, “Whoever is in need…” If you or someone you know could use a physical or spiritual lift this Pesach, add your voice to the age-old call and proclaim, “Whoever is hungry.” Surely, your local synagogue has holiday packages containing all the basic food that you can distribute to anyone who would like to “Come and eat.” And for “Whoever is in need” invite your neighbor (the one who has no Seder) to discover an ancient highway that stretches back to the ancient pyramids and leads to a glorious Jewish future.