Redemption and Revelation

Redemption and Revelation
Essays on Pesach and Shavuot
Rabbi Mordechai Fachler, z"l
Renana Publishers / 234 pages

I was excited to receive --in the nick of time!-- the second volume of Rabbi Mordechai Fachler's writings. This volume contains essays on Pesach and Shavuot.  For those unfamiliar, Rabbi Mordechai Fachler served in a number of rabbinical positions in Johannesburg, South Africa. In the late 1990s, Rabbi Fachler left Johannesburg for London, and served as the rabbi of Shomrei Hadath Synagogue in West Hampstead, among other positions of communal leadership. He was a therapist, counselor, and a renowned orator, among other talents.

The Pesach section is simply superb, filled with short and sweet divrei Torah that can be shared throughout the holiday. For example, there are divrei Torah on each of the Ten Plagues focusing on their relevance to today. Ditto for the Four Cups, the Four Sons, and more. Really nice stuff. (Really!)

The Shavuot section is a little more in depth, as the material was prepared and delivered to more learned audiences. The section focuses on the Revelation at Sinai and related messages. Those preparing drashot and shiurim on Shavuot will find springboard material. The discourse on the "Forty Eight Qualities" is also noteworthy, though sadly, far too brief.

I confess. I like this volume more than the first. I find that it reads smoother and the material is "dateless". While the first volume has great content, it is more sermonic in style and slightly frozen in time in some places. The current volume, as mentioned, is a great stop for a great short(ish) vort. South Africans were certainly be warmed by the Yeoville and Glenhazel memories.

Check it out: https://pesachbook.wordpress.com/

 Yehi Zichro Baruch





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