Countdown to Pesach-30-Ohel Shlomo

The Radomsker said, “We read, ‘And Joseph died, and all his brethren and all that generation. And the Children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly (Exodus 1:6-7).’ A soul, usually, does not wish to descend to earth in a body, inasmuch as it may easily become corrupted and lose its purity. But when the souls observed and entire generation of souls ascend to Heaven after departing their bodies in increased purity and holiness, a multitude of them petitioned God for permission to enter bodies and gain the opportunity to become holier (Ohel Shlomo, Page 31)

We usually associate, “And the Children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly,” with the beginning of the slavery, but the Radomsker is describing the slavery as a challenge for souls that appreciated the potential growth of the soul being placed in the darkness of the body, enslaved by physical drives and successfully fighting for its freedom.

We begin our first step toward Pesach by reviewing our spiritual growth over the past year, and appreciating the moments when we achieved freedom from the darkness and slavery of physical drives.

Morning Blessings: “Do not bring us into the power of error, nor into the power of transgression and sin, nor into the power of challenge, nor into the power of scorn. Let not the Evil Urge dominate us.” Recite this prayer imagining yourself as one of those souls returning to a body because you desire more purity and holiness, but completely aware of the difficulty and danger of the challenge.