“The Rebbe was referring to the split between the two great families and their followers. Two hundred years previously there had been a great schism between the Jews of these two streams. The followers of one group took a more scholarly and learned approach to Judaism, while the followers of the other adopted a more joyous and spiritual approach. Symbolically, the Rebbe felt that sharing the evening represented a unity that had been missing until that time.

“Rabbi Soloveitchik said that this was not true. They had indeed come together earlier. When Hitler had put the followers of Hassidism and the followers of their opponents, the Mitnagdim, together in the same gas chambers … he said that it was THEN that we realized that there is no difference between one Jew and another.”

At the appropriate time, right before we open the door to, G-d willing, hopefully greet Elijah, this segment will be recited at my Seder.

Another wonderful haggadah reflecting the teachings, in greater depth, of the Rav, is “The Medieval Haggadah Anthology” edited by the Rav’s longtime student, Rabbi David Holzer. Aside from the detailed commentary, gleaned from various previously published works, this work features some of the finest medieval art reproductions and manuscripts geared to the many numerous themes of the haggadah.

This astonishing feature coupled with an absolutely beautiful user-friendly text, makes this an ideal haggadah for the Seder leader to read from during the course of the evening’s proceedings. This work by Rabbi Holzer truly represents a great hiddur (beautification of) mitzvah for all to share in, learn from, and enjoy, for many years to come.

One last scholarly book related to Pesach is a most worthy work dealing with the role of Moses, “Moses and the Path to Leadership” (Urim, 2014), authored by Rabbi Zvi Grumet. According to Rabbi Grumet, a member of the faculty of the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem, we learn the following: