The Miracle of Shabbat HaGadol

by HaRav Dov Begon
Rosh HaYeshiva, Machon Meir

“The Shabbat before Pesach is called ‘Shabbat HaGadol’because of the miracle that was performed then” (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, 430). What is the miracle? The year that Israel left Egypt the tenth of the month of Nissan came out on a Shabbat. Every Jew took a lamb for his Pascal offering and tied it to the bedpost, as it says, “On the tenth of this month, every man must take a lamb for each extended family, a lamb for each household... Hold it in safekeeping until the fourteenth day of this month. The entire community of Israel shall then slaughter their sacrifices in the afternoon” (Shemot 12:3,6). The Egyptians saw this and asked them why they were doing this, and they replied, “To sacrifice it for the sake of Passover, following G-d’s command to us.” The Egyptians’ teeth were set on edge over the fact that the Israelites were slaughtering their gods, while they, the Egyptians, were not allowed to say anything in response. And because the tenth of the month came out that year on the Sabbath, it was decided that the Shabbat before Passover must always be called “Shabbat HaGadol” (Mishnah Berurah, Ibid.)

According to our sages, the great miracle occurred when the Israelites bound the lamb and publicized that they were about to slaughter it, despite the Egyptians considering this lamb as G-d. The Egyptians were unable to speak a word, and they could not touch the Israelites.

The Egyptians believed in, worshipped, and subjugated themselves to bestiality. They viewed bestiality as the source and purpose of all. The surrender to materialism and passion was the chief axis around which the culture of the society and individual in Egypt turned. All this bestiality was symbolized by the lamb and the calf. Suddenly, up rose Israel, who were enslaved to Egypt - who themselves were enslaved to their passions and their beasts - and Israel slaughtered their deity before their eyes, without the Egyptians being able to speak or touch them. This, by itself, was a great miracle that G-d performed, still performs, and will in the future perform for the Jewish People forever.

Ramban brings another reason for why the Israelites chose precisely a lamb: It is because the month of Nissan is under the astrological sign of the lamb, and the Egyptians believed in astrology - that is, that everything is under the control of the constellations and nature. They did not believe that there is Someone who is the Supreme Deity, the true Master of all. G-d, therefore, commanded that Israel slaughter a lamb and consume it, to make known to Israel and to the whole world that not by the power of the constellation did we leave Egypt, but because of the decree of G-d, and because of His love for the Jewish People.

On this Shabbat HaGadol, before Pesach, we must recall the great miracle that was performed for us. Despite our being a weak, enslaved people in Egypt, we raised up our heads, and the miracle, for all of Egypt to see, was performed for us out of G-d’s love of Israel.

As then, now as well, all our enemies will be unable to overcome us, because “He who chooses Israel with love” (morning prayers) continues with His great love and compassion for the Jewish People.


With the Love of Israel,
Have a happy and kosher Pesach!
Shabbat Shalom.