Pesachim 10:5-6

Pesachim 10:5

Rabban Gamliel used to say that if one does not discuss three things at the Seder, he does not fulfill his obligation, namely the Passover offering, the matzah and the bitter herbs (maror). The reason for the Passover offering is because God passed over our ancestors’ homes in Egypt. The reason for matzah is because our ancestors were redeemed from Egyptian servitude. The reason for the maror is because the Egyptians embittered our ancestors’ lives. In every generation one must see himself as if he had personally been brought out of Egypt, as per Exodus 13:8: “You shall tell your son on that day, saying, ‘It is because of what God did for me when I came out of Egypt.’” It is therefore our obligation to thank, praise, laud, glorify, elevate, honor, bless, extol and acclaim the One Who performed all these miracles for our ancestors and for us. Namely, He brought us forth from slavery to freedom, from sorrow to joy, from mourning to rejoicing, from darkness to great light and from servitude to redemption. Therefore let us say before Him, Hallelujah!

Pesachim 10:6

Beis Shammai says that one recites Hallel before the meal as far as “a joyful mother of children”; Beis Hillel says until “(He turns) a flint into a spring of water.” One concludes the section of Maggid with the bracha of redemption. Rabbi Tarfon says the text of this bracha is “Who redeemed us and our ancestors from Egypt” and it does not have a concluding phrase (following the format of “short” brachos). Rabbi Akiva says the bracha continues, “So, Hashem, our God and God of our fathers, cause us to reach other seasons and festivals in peace, rejoicing in the rebuilding of Your city and euphoric in your Temple service, and we will eat from the sacrifices and Passover offerings” etc., until it concludes, “Blessed are You, Hashem, the One Who redeemed Israel.”