It’s happened to me on more than one occasion. I was interested in a new endeavor – a new position, a new diet, etc., and the informant asked me what I knew about their program. Often after I finished telling him what I knew, he said, “Okay, now I want you to forget everything you were told in the past and listen to me carefully.” Then he proceeded to explain the entire program anew, much of it what I already heard, but adding some details along the way.
Why should I try to forget what I had already been told about the program? It’s not like I can really forget it completely. The point is that I should be able to listen to what he is telling me with a clear mind. No doubt I already reached some conclusions about the program based on what I had been previously told. In explaining the program his way, he hoped to alter those preconceived conclusions, so that I have a better feeling and attitude about the entire endeavor.
There were many great Roshei Yeshiva who would approach their shiurim in much the same way. Many didn’t record notes of their own shiurim, or would not to look at their previous notes so that he could approach the gemara with a fresh perspective. This was true despite the fact that they practically knew the gemara, along with its basic commentaries, by heart.
Rav Meir Soloveitchik zt’l, the late Rosh Yeshiva and son of the Brisker Rav, never had the same amount of students as other great Roshei Yeshiva. I was recently told that one of the main reasons for that is that Rav Meir did not prepare shiur beforehand at all. He would sit down, open his gemara, and begin to ponder the text, literally without any prior preparation. There were times when in the middle of shiur it would be completely silent as Rav Meir thought for a few minutes.
I must admit that in years past I would come to the Seder with a pile of haggados and pages of notes. While I may not have kept them all on the table, in the ‘wine-spilling danger zone’, they would be in close proximity. But now, in my old age, I have begun to revamp my approach, bringing to the Seder only one haggadah that has a relatively small commentary. [Why a small commentary? A friend suggested that it’s a smart idea to have one haggadah with a lengthy commentary nearby, in case you have that one relative/guest who likes to commandeer the Seder spotlight with long-winded discourses that can be used as sedatives…]
There are a few reasons why I find this to be far more meaningful:
It helps me to be present at the Seder. The Seder night is a most precious time to appreciate not only what Hashem has done for us, but also what Hashem gives us constantly. When I had haggados with rich and beautiful commentaries I would end up reading them, and not always be paying attention to the Seder itself.
I have also read (not during the Seder) that many of the greatest Torah luminaries did not have lengthy Sedarim with long-winded Torah discussions. Rav Shlomo Zalman Aurebach zt’l would briefly explain each passage in the haggadah in a simple and straightforward manner. [He also ruled that the leader of the Seder must answer each of the Four Questions of Mah Nishtanah for the children, since the questions are not directly addressed in the text.] Rav Chaim Kanievsky shlita too does not engage in lengthy conversations at the Seder. In fact, he is particular (as was Rav Shlomo Zalman) to complete hallel and drinking the Fourth Cup before chatzos (halachic midnight).
Finally, and perhaps most significantly, I try to approach the Seder with a fresh perspective every year. Each year the timeless words of the haggadah speak to us differently, and we need to pay careful attention so we can hear what they are saying to us.
May we have the wisdom and insight to listen well and convey those messages to our progeny.
By Rabbi Dani Staum
Rabbi Dani Staum LMSW is the Rabbi of Kehillat New Hempstead, as well as a rebbe and Guidance Counselor at Heichal HaTorah in Teaneck, NJ, Principal at Mesivta Ohr Naftoli of New Windsor, and a Division Head at Camp Dora Golding. He can be reached at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Looking for “Instant Inspiration” on the parsha in under 5 minutes? Follow him on Torahanytime.com.
A Fresh Perspective
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