Q:
Why is it that when we open the door for Eliyahu, that’s when we say שפוך חמתך אל הגוים – “Hashem, pour out Your wrath on the nations”?
A:
Listen to me. The mother went out shopping, and while the mother was away the bigger boy was bullying the little one. So as soon as the door opens and the mother comes in, the little one runs over to his mother and is pulling on her skirt, “Ma could you deal with him? Hit him, hit him.”
Eliyahu is coming to usher in the era of justice. And so as he comes in the door, we run over to him and we’re saying שפוך חמתך, hit them; hit the nations that have tortured and killed us.”
(April 1973)
Q:
The Rav said that in Egypt on Pesach night we were commanded to bar our doors — to keep them locked shut. Then why is it that we specifically let our doors be open on seder nights?
A:
We don’t. On seder night we only open our doors to let in Eliyahu Hanavi – it’s only a symbol. Our doors are closed on seder night and make sure they’re barred too! See to it that your doors should have good locks on them.
We open the doors only as a symbol that the time will come when the doors will open for the Am Yisroel to return home: פתחו שערים ויבוא גוי צדיק שומר אמונים. But right now, it’s only a symbol. Open it for a little bit, but don’t do it too long.
(April 1980)
