Mar. 27, 2026 – Tzav

A Passover Prayer of Freedom for Shabbat HaGadol

The sabbath before Passover in known as Shabbat HaGadol, The Great Sabbath. Not the Shabbat before the High Holy Days, Sukkot or Purim, but rather before Pesach. Why? Because more than any other sacred occasion, Passover is about freedom. Z’man Cheiruteinu — Season of our liberation.

So on this Sabbath before the Seders let us pray for freedom.

Freedom from war and violence.

Freedom from fleeing one’s home.

Freedom from running back and forth to bomb shelters. 

Freedom from being forced off one’s land.

Freedom from death and destruction.

Freedom from tyranny and terror.

Freedom from hate and humiliation.

Freedom from slander and libel.

Freedom from starvation and suffering.

Freedom from desolation and despair.

May the salt water of the Seder renew our capacity to shed tears for the suffering of others.

May the bitterness of the maror renew our sympathy for others sorrow.

May Passover mark the beginning of the end of this latest war that cannot end soon enough. 

This year we approach Pesach amid oppression, sadness, and war. Next year may we enter into Shabbat HaGadol in a world blessed with freedom, happiness and peace.

Shabbat Shalom — and Zissen Pesach!
Rabbi David Wirtschafter