L’ma’an tizkor et yom tzait’chah – Therefore you shall remember the day that you went forth. Deuteronomy Chapter 16, Verse 3
My family and I send our warmest wishes to all celebrating the sacred festival of Passover.
As people of the Jewish faith in America and around the world gather together to celebrate Passover, they remember the story of Exodus. The passage of their ancestors from the Land of Egypt after 430 years of slavery led to a long journey through a desert, the ascent to a mountaintop, and then freedom in the Land of Israel. It is among the most powerful stories of suffering and redemption in human history.
The Passover Seder, with its symbols and rituals, instructs each generation to remember their past, while appreciating the beauty of freedom and the responsibility it entails. As part of a larger global community, we all must work to ensure that our brothers and sisters of every race, religion, culture, and nationality are free from bondage and repression, and are able to live in peace.
As Jewish families gather across America to enjoy the magnificent and hard-earned gift of freedom, let us all be thankful for the gifts that have been bestowed upon us. And at the same time, let us also work to alleviate the suffering, poverty, and hunger of those who are not yet free.
Again, Michelle and I wish all who celebrate Pesach a peaceful and relaxing holiday. Chag sameach.
BARACK OBAMA
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13 Responses
Last week the indefatigable President Kumbaya wished Iranians a happy Nowruz, and this week we are the recipients of his international hugs and kisses. He wishes us freedom from repression and bondage while saddling every man, woman, and child in America with a debt of $72,000. This Renaissance Man is truly amazing!
Bravo #1. ditto.
Where did he get 430 years of slavery from?
#1-#2 — all debt is from the Congress, which we elected (the executive lost the power to spend public funds in the 13th century). Start demanding an end to public subsidies for banks that serve and employ thousands of frum Jews, cutting aid to education and roads (anyone for making the subway in New York cost the full $5 it would cost if privately run), and remember to demand that the huge military intervention overseas be cut back to the traditional pre-WWII level – which is the largest discretionary item in the budget (oh yes, lets go back to old people starting, poor people dying for want of medical care, and scrap section eight and bring back hoovervilles–your choice).
The president is only the “first servant” and he seems to be doing a reasonably good job. He wishes the Iranian well on a holiday that its Islamic leaders disapprove of. Bush was good at “dis-ing” the religious leadership of Iran, but Obama did so in a way that was respectful of the people. Clever.
On Pesach we go maiavdus licheirus. Avodai haim, veloi avodim laavodim!!! We are not avodim to this eved!
430 years? maybe he should have double checked. afterall he has some Jewish advisors.
to 3 and 6
after all that is what it says in parshas bo perek 13 passukim 40-41 and his Jewish advisors dont know much more.
p.s. why did he forget the word et yom tzait’chah MIMITZRAYIM
P.P.S DONT FORGET TO HAVE SOME PEOPLE IN MIND BY V’HE SHEAMDA WHEN HE AND CLINTON WANT TO MAKE A PALISTINIAN STATE.
well said #4
#4: Either you are a New Yorker or your comments are Purim torah. No doubt you relish the fact that matzos are shaped like an O. “L’ma’an tizkor”, indeed!
It’s bfeirush from the leining of the first day of Pesach Shmos yud beis, mem and mem aleph “shloshim shanah v’arbah meos shanah”
(Shmos 12:40) “UMoshav Bnei Yisrael Asher Yashvu BeMitzrayim, Shloshim Shanah VeArba Meios Shanah” (430 years). The literal translation of this Pasuk is 430 years in Egypt. However, as RASHI and the other Meforshim teach us, the 430 years refers to the time span from the Bris Bein HaBesarim to Yetzias Mitzraim.
Please give the President a break. As a Goy he can be excused for believing the literal translation and not knowing our Mesorah, which is the absolute truth. I am sure that my Zaide RASHI forgives him.
Where did he learn Hebrew? 😉
#9:
Perhaps you should try to make a substantive counter-argument? As it stands, you’ve done nothing but say “you’re wrong” without backing it up.
Akuperma’s post may not be unassailable, but at the very least it reflects thought and consideration, and is well-written, which to most people trumps conclusory assertions of falsity absent any support.