Every year at Passover time we are reminded that “whoever tells at length about the leaving from Egypt, increases his own praise. Because the more one recognizes and appreciates the great miracles performed on his behalf, the more his own worth becomes apparent.”

It once happened that….

A ship transported many merchants to a distant land to sell their wares. The ship’s passengers included all sorts of merchants, each with his own merchandise: flour, fabrics, art objects, and precious stones.

Out at sea, a pirate vessel approached the ship. The pirates commanded the ship’s captain to veer from his course and fol­low their vessel, as a captive ship.

Fear descended upon all the ship’s passengers, for the pirates were infamous for their cruelty.

The fearless captain immediately gathered his crew together and told them how to behave at this difficult time. The sailors obeyed his orders. Some climbed up the main mast and stretched out the sails. Some stood on the deck, swords and boarding hooks in hand, and some descended to the belly of the ship and fired cannons at the pirate’s ship.

When the pirates saw the captain’s and the sailors’ courage, heard the sound of cannons, they turned around and hastily sailed away.

Although all of the mer­chants felt great happiness. This was not felt equally by each and every one of them. The relief of a merchant whose sacks of flour have been saved cannot be compared to the rejoicing of one whose precious jew­els have been saved.

Without knowing which merchant had the most valuable cargo, one could guess it by seeing which merchant expressed his relief more than others that the ship had been saved. The more elaborate the merchant’s appreciation of the rescue, the more valuable his wares.

When the haggadah says, “and whoever elaborates on the story is praised” it speaks about the person who elaborately recounts the story of the leaving from Egypt, he reveals true faith. “Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” (Psalm 95:2)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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