When we tell over the events of the Exodus on the night(s) of the Seder, we thank and praise G-d for saving us from slavery. When thinking about the chronicle of events, was it not G-d that originally brought us down to Egypt in the first place (during the time of Jacob & Joseph)? The question can be asked in a number of ways: If it was G-d that originally brought us down to Egypt & placed us into slavery as promised to Abraham, why we are we obligated to thank & praise him? OK, G-d did redeem His people and therefore we are obligated to thank & praise Him, but why is all the "blame" heaped on Pharaoh & the Egyptians - this was foretold to the Patriarchs by G-d Himself, so doesn't he bear some of the responsibility for what transpired to the Jews during their time in Egypt ?

what mitzvot and customs (e.g. kiddush) are noted to be 'zaycher l'yitziat mitzrayim' - a commemoration of the exodus from egypt?

The case =A Jewish man from our Shul marries a non-Jewish woman, and she converts to Judaism. She has a four year old son (also a non-Jew) - by a former relationship. She converts to Judaism for herself and "for her 4 year old son too". The boy is now twelve years old. He wants to have a Bar Mitzvah next year and be called to the Torah like his cousins (and have a big party and get "lots of presents too, just like his cousins".) What is the Halacha? Can he "legally" be Bar Mitzvahed and be called to the Torah for an Aliyah?

Maybe like the two boys in the old testament. I believe in many ways I have stolen my brother's birthright. My older brother. He I hold as having less fear of living than do I. I have actually taken things of his without saying. I would like to make amends. Some people take what they ant in life and others act jealous of those that tkae what they want in life. I am looking to forget my jealousies. Some jealousies are "normal" and one grows out of them. Is the answer to just take what you want in life?