After commanding us to remember the date we left Egypt, the Torah stipulates that we pass on these memories to the next generation.
"On that day, you must tell your child, 'It is because of this that God acted for me when I left Egypt.'" (Exodus 13:8)
The verse is enigmatic. "Because of this" - what is the "this", that, for its sake, God performed all of the signs and miracles in Egypt?
Memories for All Generations
One might think that the sole function of the ten plagues was to rescue the Israelites of that generation from persecution and slavery. In fact, the true goal of the miracles in Egypt goes far beyond the needs of that time. Those great acts were meant to form an eternal inheritance, a memory for all future generations. Their purpose is achieved as each generation preserves these national memories and impressions, and transmits them to the next generation.
This is how the verse should be understood: "It is because of this" - so that "you must tell your child" - "that God acted for me when I left Egypt." The ultimate purpose of the signs and wonders in Egypt is fulfilled as each generation absorbs the elevated impressions of those miracles, drawing from them their great light, full of life and holiness.
According to the Passover Haggadah, "because of this" refers to the foods that we eat to recall the Exodus. "The Seder ceremony may not take place until the hour when matzah and bitter herbs are set before you." This explanation does not contradict the idea presented above; it simply adds an additional nuance. We commemorate the Exodus and recount its story to the next generation when we can physically point to the matzah and bitter herbs on Passover eve. According to this explanation, the purpose of the Exodus is fulfilled as we experientially transmit to our children the memories of that historic event.
A New Light for Each Generation
This concept of a national memory passed on through the generations is expressed in the verse, "Each morning they are new, great is Your faith." (Lamentations 3:23) Each morning - each generation - discovers a new light in the traditions faithfully handed to it.
[Based on Olat Re'iya vol. I p. 39]
"On that day, you must tell your child, 'It is because of this that God acted for me when I left Egypt.'" (Exodus 13:8)
The verse is enigmatic. "Because of this" - what is the "this", that, for its sake, God performed all of the signs and miracles in Egypt?
Memories for All Generations
One might think that the sole function of the ten plagues was to rescue the Israelites of that generation from persecution and slavery. In fact, the true goal of the miracles in Egypt goes far beyond the needs of that time. Those great acts were meant to form an eternal inheritance, a memory for all future generations. Their purpose is achieved as each generation preserves these national memories and impressions, and transmits them to the next generation.
This is how the verse should be understood: "It is because of this" - so that "you must tell your child" - "that God acted for me when I left Egypt." The ultimate purpose of the signs and wonders in Egypt is fulfilled as each generation absorbs the elevated impressions of those miracles, drawing from them their great light, full of life and holiness.
According to the Passover Haggadah, "because of this" refers to the foods that we eat to recall the Exodus. "The Seder ceremony may not take place until the hour when matzah and bitter herbs are set before you." This explanation does not contradict the idea presented above; it simply adds an additional nuance. We commemorate the Exodus and recount its story to the next generation when we can physically point to the matzah and bitter herbs on Passover eve. According to this explanation, the purpose of the Exodus is fulfilled as we experientially transmit to our children the memories of that historic event.
A New Light for Each Generation
This concept of a national memory passed on through the generations is expressed in the verse, "Each morning they are new, great is Your faith." (Lamentations 3:23) Each morning - each generation - discovers a new light in the traditions faithfully handed to it.
[Based on Olat Re'iya vol. I p. 39]