Q. I have close by a few shuln with Rabbis who are excellent speakers and I enjoy listening to all of them. If I have a choice of attending the Shabbat Hagadol speech of one Rabbi who speaks mostly on Halacha matters and indicates what the new questions and Halachik issues are and the other Rabbi who generally teaches the meaning of the Yom Tov and why we do the mitzvos and get close to Hashem, which one should I go to?

A. Mishna Berura (429: 2) is quite explicit in directing that the drosho of Sabbos Hagodol should be mainly on practical Halachik topics. Instructing the people on the observance and performance of the mitzvos such as kashering utensils searching for chometz, baking matzos and the rest of the rules of Pesach.

However, Mogen Arohon (ibid. 1), Kaf Hachaim (ibid. 4 and Sidur Yavetz mention also Divrey Musar or ethical and spiritual reflections that bring us closer to Hashem. After all, that is the ultimate purpose of all the effort and work we invest in mitzvos.
Some make a point of beginning the drosho by expounding a Pilpul lecture. So creating joy in Heaven that balances out the dinim or judgment forces awakened by the castigating words of Musar ( Notzar Chesed – Avos 4, quoted in Nitey gavriel (1: 9: 15).

Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that an individual should attend the drosho that will help him in what he needs most, as the verse reads: “One’s heart knows the bitterness of his soul” (Mishle 14: 10).

He argues that today when so many excellent publications and on-line Halacha sites are available, it may for many indeed be better to attend a drosho that will generate closeness to Hashem.

He quoted the words of the Chofetz Chaim Zt’l, that the aim and purpose of the Rabbanim of generations past was to instruct the people on the ways and observance of mitzvos. Today their main goal is to teach Yiras Shamaim or fear of Heaven.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a