Elana d’Chaya: Preparing for Pesach

The 14th of Adar is the Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Gershom Tanchum of Minsk, author of Elana d’Chaya. He died on February 13, 1881.  When we are commanded to begin to study the laws of Pesach thirty days before the Holiday, it means that each person should prepare for Pesach in the study in which he finds the most satisfaction and inspiration. He does not have to study the laws, but the area that speaks to his soul! This is because the Oral Law is Infinite and speaks to each one of us in a unique way. To study only what others study rather than to prepare according to the desires of your soul, is to deny the fact that Torah speaks to each od us in our way. (From the Introduction to Volume II on the Laws of Pesach)