Rabbi Yaakov Galinsky
“Let them eat it (the meat of the Pesach offering) with matzah and bitter herbs” (Shemot, 12:8).
We learn about the mitzvah of maror in the Mishnah: «Which vegetables are suitable for fulfilling this mitzvah on Pesach? Chazeret, tamcha, ulshin, charchavina and maror».
This mitzvah contains allusions that, once we understand them, can help us succeed in our endeavors during the month of Nisan, particularly during the festival of Pesach itself.
Chazeret (shares a root with the word chozer—“to repeat”).
For many of us, the days of the month of Nisan are days of vacation, a break from our usual study routine. Throughout the year, we have learned many folios of Gemara, chapters of Mishnah, and Torah laws. Concerning all this, our Sages said: “Anyone who studies Torah and does not review it is like a person who sows but does not harvest the crop. Rabbi Yehoshua says: anyone who studies Torah and forgets it is like a woman who gives birth to children and buries them.” How sad it would be if we did not cultivate all our wonderful shoots, harvest them, and bring them home so that they remain ours forever. We should therefore set aside these days specifically for as much review as possible.
Some people always greatly enjoy studying new things. This is very good, but it is precisely here that chazeret, one of the kinds of bitter herbs, offers us a hint: even if you feel a little bitterness, do not stop, for this is one of the mitzvot of this festival.
The Gemara says: “Chazeret is chasa (leaf lettuce).” It is known that the root of chasa is bitter, while its leaves are tasty. The same is true of review: at first, one does it without much enthusiasm, but someone who makes a habit of it will eventually experience a unique sweetness, and it will be said of them: “The Almighty has compassion (chas) on them and saves them.”
Ulshin (sounds like the words ol shinun—“the burden of study”).
We succeed in study when we view it as a burden, an obligation. Especially during this period, when there is no regular obligation to study as there is in yeshiva, we need to set a regular time for ourselves. It is best to do this with a friend or to join a group of students. This burden may seem somewhat bitter at first, but in the end it will be sweet, and only by accepting the burden can we achieve success.
Tamcha (sounds like the word tomech—“to support”).
These days are particularly suited to everything connected with tzedakah and kimcha d’Pischa—helping and supporting the poor. Of course, the expenses of the festival are considerable, and we are not doing particularly well financially as it is, especially at Pesach. That is why tamcha — is one of the kinds of bitter herbs, but it is one of the mitzvot of the festival on which its inner light depends.
Charchavina (from the word churban—“destruction”).
Remember what caused the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash. During these days, when we once ascended to Jerusalem to celebrate Pesach in the House of our Heavenly Father, in holiness and closeness to Him, with enthusiasm and extraordinary joy, we should remember why we lost all of this: because of baseless hatred.
Baseless hatred encompasses both major matters and small ones. On the eve of Pesach, when everyone is at home, time is short, and there is much work to do, petty quarrels between brothers and sisters or other family members rob the holiday of all its light and enjoyment and turn it into maror. But this is not the maror of the mitzvah—quite the opposite!
And what would constitute the maror of the mitzvah here? The ability to be patient, remain silent, and yield. Of these it is said that their beginning is bitter, but their end is sweeter than honey, and then “Everlasting joy rests upon their heads,” truly lighting up the holiday.
Translation: Mrs. Leah Shukhman