ראשו, כרעיו וקרבו (Parshas Bo 12:9)
Why did the Korbon Pesach need to be roasted in this particular way, the head, legs and stomach together? What can we learn from this today?
Chassidus explains: in general, there are three things that can cause obstacles in a person’s relationship with Hashem. His head (knowledge) — if he doesn’t understand things, his feet (desire) — if he is willing to step on anything (people, principles, Torah) to get what he wants, and his stomach (satisfaction) — his internal desire to fill his hunger at any cost. The lesson of the Korbon Pesach is that, even today, these three qualities must be brought as an offering to Hashem.
Similarly, it says a person’s essence can be defined through three things: B’kiso, b’koso, u’v’kaaso (his wallet, his drink, and his anger) – how a person spends his money, how he behaves when he is drunk, and how he acts in anger. These three things are actually the same as the three qualities mentioned above. The wallet (which enables you to get what you want) = feet, drink = food, and head = anger.
The Three Names for the Yom Tov
There are three names for this holiday:
חג המצות The Feast of Matzos
זמן חרותנו The season of our freedom
פסח Passover
According to Chassidus, these names are interrelated. Matzah represents bittul, selflessness. This quality leads to true freedom, and allows for Pesach (literally, “a jump”), a radical leap forward in our Divine service.