Miller's Maggid Musings Boruch Hamokom: A Night to be United

בס''ד

 

Of all the iconic moments of the Seder, the four sons must be one of the most well-known, depicting the four categories of children and the different manner in which we must answer each one according to their own specific personalities and individual requirements.  Interestingly the introduction to this section begins with the phrase “Boruch Hamokom”, “Blessed is Hashem” using the specific name of Hashem “Hamokom”, literally translated as “The Place”.  Regular readers of Miller’s Musings will be well familiar by now with the concept that each name of Hashem is used with great precision, dependent upon the context of its usage and will surely ask what the motive is for this particular name in this instance?

One of the characteristics that can be said about Hashem based on our tradition, is that He is omnipresent, being infinite and therefore ever present in each and every of the tiniest fragments of existence.  The word Mokom means place, and therefore the name Hamokom in fact refers to the fact Hashem is in every place and every place is Hashem.  Using this to answer our question, perhaps we can suggest that when we are about to begin to explore the nature of diversity within our children, and therefore consequently ourselves, we must first realise that no matter who they are or what ideals and values they ascribe to, they too contain within them G-d and have the ability to connect with the infinite, as much as anyone else.  This is absolutely pivotal to appreciate when proceeding to try to understand, and then cater to, each one individually.

As we look around our Seder table this year, it is more than likely that there will be people of disparate ages, characters, backgrounds, intellectual and emotional needs, life experiences and levels of religiosity.  The fact that they all come to celebrate together is part of the beauty of the Seder and an element of what can make it such an uplifting and fulfilling experience, something we should never lose sight of.  Ultimately no matter who we are, the truth that unites us is the godliness that we all hold within us, elevating us above the mundane and granting us the capacity to cleave to the Source of all creation, should we choose to do so.  There is no one who possesses this gift more than anyone else, we are all blessed with its reality.  This Seder night let us appreciate the uniqueness of every individual and remember the Divine that is inside us all. 

May Pesach inspire all creation to its true fulfilment.

 

לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם