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Chidushay Bang

Pesach: Unity in Bnei Brak
Steven Schwartzberg

Pesach: Where in the World is Moshe Rabainu?
Phil Witner

Walk Like an Egyptian
Yaakov Eizicovics

Purim- Do Looks Matter?
Steve Wind

Parshat Vayikra - G-d's "Go-to" Guy
David Mahler

Parshat Vayakhel- Shekels of Fire
Alan Gersch

Parshat Ki Sesa - A Glitch in the Matrix
Avi Korn

Parshat Vayishlach: Dina
R' Michael Zauderer

The Simchat Torah Dance!
Isaac Galena

SHAVUOT - Holiday of the NIGHT!
Steve Wind

Purim: Is Shikar the Ikar?
myles brody

When I saw his face now I'm a Baal Teshuva
seth galena

It's Raining Mun, Hallelukah
seth galena

Unlikely Savior or Brady Bunch Father
avi korn

Who know's 8?
Ethan Eisenberg

Where's the beef on Chanukah?
Myles Brody

Rushing into Greek Week
avi korn

Shabbos Reinforcement
by R' Michael Zauderer

Shmini Atzeret: Shavuot II
by Avi Korn

Succos: Sleepin' in the Succah
by Steve Wind

Parshat Ki Tavo: Use the Force!
by Steve Thompson

Parshat Ki Taysay: How To Treat a Woman Right!
by Lisa Seligsohn

Parshat Shoftim: VH1 Behind the Avairah
by Uri Korn

Parshat Dvarim: UNITY
by Avi Korn

The UWS Survival Dvar Torah
by Avi Korn

Parshat Chukat: THE ROCK!
by Rivka Friedman

Do the Rite Thing
by Adam "the Katzker" Katz

Jerusalem, I Hardly Know Him!
by R' Michael Zauderer

Press Your Luck
by Danny Fax

The Bangitout Haggadah presents a pre-passover search for meaning:

Where in the World
is Moshe Rabainu?

By WestSideKollel's West coast rep Phil Wintner

If one were to compare the exodus described in the Torah with that which is retold in the Hagadah, they would notice many similarities and one big inconsistency. No, I am not referring to the cool illustrations of the Egyptians with goatees. Nor am I am I referring to the wine stains baked into your Hagadah from last year.

While both stories describe a nation under the burden of slavery and their ultimate redemption to freedom. The Hagadah seems to leave out one very important individual, namely the humblest man alive (no literally), Moshe Rabainu. Not even a mention in the closing credits. To fully understand this oversight in modern day terms (and if you are from LA) it would be like discussing the Lakers dominance during the first decade of the twenty first century and not even mentioning Shaq, Kobe or even Phil???

The Vilna Goan, give a practical and yet profound answer to this question. He writes that had Moshe been included in the Hagadah, the seder night would have completely revolved around Moshe and not about the redemption of the Jews. Also, more importantly, the focus on Moshe would have taken the focus off of G-d and that it was the hand of G-d that took the Jews out of Egypt. Even those Hagadahs that do mention Moshe, it is only in passing and in the context of him being a slave to G-d. The main point of the story of the exodus was that it was G-d himself who took out the Jews “On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt”- I, and not an angel. (Passover Hagadah)

But if there was a fear that people may come to worship Moshe, why might there not be this same alarm about a book you also might have read. It is called the Book of Exodus (ie, the Bible). Moshe is mentioned in almost every other passuk!!!! If this were the Brady Bunch and I was Jan (or in this case Aaron), I might rant, "Moshe, Moshe, Moshe!"

Rabbi Manis Friedman explains that the Hagadah is a guide written BY Jews in Gallus FOR Jews in Gallus (ie, we say next year in Jerusalem). What was Moshe's ultimate goal? To bring Klal Yisroel to their land of milk and honey and kosher Burger King, i.e. Israel. The fact that we are still in gallus, reading the Hagadah (the guide for the exiled) subconsciously highlights Moshe's failure to complete his ultimate mission. Rabbi Friedman goes on to say that Moshe certainly refused to have his name in the Hagadah....YET. Only when Moshiach comes and we are all in Israel, will Moshe's goals be fulfilled, and will Moshe allow his name to be included.

Another possible answer to this question I found on the Breslov Research Institute’s web site. Yes they have a website! The site writes that the reason Moshe was left out of the Hagadah was not in deference to G-d, but rather to those who were in Egypt before Moshe got there, namely Aaron. That while Moshe was the guy who was running the exodus show, there was a whole cast of supporting characters that were already there, and should not be overlooked. Even though the Jews were just slaves till Moshe arrived, there was Jewish leadership in Egypt before he got there. And it is a tribute to Aaron’s humility that he gladly accepted the leadership of his younger brother Moshe and did not think twice about accepting a supporting role. By not mentioning Moshe we see how others played a vital roll in the redemption of the Jewish nation.

So while others might need to draw upon some unsavoury characters for leadership in this day and age, namely Pharaoh. I think that we can find sources of inspiration from our own leaders, Aaron and Moshe. From their humility and modesty we gain an understanding of what it means to be a true leader of the Jewish people. In this day and age when looking out for oneself has become a priority, we see from Moshe and Aaron how a Jew should really behave.

Please direct any suggestions to Phil Wintner.

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