Pesach [Passover] derives its name from G-d's great love and compassion for the Jewish People, in His passing over their homes as He smote the Egyptian firstborn. As it says, "I will then pass over you and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to plague you.... When your children ask you, 'What is this service of yours?' You shall say, 'It is the Pesach-offering to G-d, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and saved our homes.' The people then bowed and prostrated themselves." (Exodus 12:23-27)
Rashi relates to the Israelites having bowed: "Why did they prostrate themselves and bow? It was in thankfulness for their being told that they would be redeemed, would come into the Land and would bear children."
Their love, faith and trust in G-d's love for them were so great that they thanked Him by bowing to Him while they were still slaves in Egypt before being redeemed. Such is the way of people who love one another. Their distress and suffering does not stop that love (see Mesilat Yesharim, "Chelkei HaChassidut").
Indeed, the Exodus narrative is the story of the great love that abides between G-d and Israel, as in our daily prayers, where we bless G-d, who "has lovingly selected His people Israel." We likewise recite in the Shema, "You shall love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart, soul and might," and as is known, this is not just a command, but a promise. Indeed, we customarily complete the Seder night by reciting the Song of Songs, King Solomon's marvelous, profound poem celebrating the love between G-d and the assembly of Israel.
That story of the great love between G-d and Israel is retold in the Pesach Haggadah from generation to generation, father to son, as we recline as free men on the first night of the holiday. In the past, however, we have faced unimaginably harsh conditions, such as when we were pursued to death by the Spanish Inquisition, or when Jews were being burned to death in the furnaces of Auschwitz and elsewhere in Europe. Throughout those times, as well, Jews never ceased to recite in secret that great love story. Reciting the Haggadah during our most difficult hours reveals our great love for G-d. As with all who truly love one another, we love G-d under all conditions and in all situations.
The Haggadah begins with the words, "We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt" and it concludes, "Next year in rebuilt Jerusalem." This is a story going back thousands of years, but it is replete with love. How fortunate we are and how fortunate our generation that we are privileged to live in Eretz Yisrael and Jerusalem, and to see with our own eyes the fulfillment of G-d's promise made to our ancestors in Egypt. "We therefore are obligated to thank, praise, laud, glorify, exalt, honor, bless, extol and adore Him who performed for our fathers and for us all of these wonders.... Therefore, let us recite a new song before Him." (Lefichach)
Rashi relates to the Israelites having bowed: "Why did they prostrate themselves and bow? It was in thankfulness for their being told that they would be redeemed, would come into the Land and would bear children."
Their love, faith and trust in G-d's love for them were so great that they thanked Him by bowing to Him while they were still slaves in Egypt before being redeemed. Such is the way of people who love one another. Their distress and suffering does not stop that love (see Mesilat Yesharim, "Chelkei HaChassidut").
Indeed, the Exodus narrative is the story of the great love that abides between G-d and Israel, as in our daily prayers, where we bless G-d, who "has lovingly selected His people Israel." We likewise recite in the Shema, "You shall love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart, soul and might," and as is known, this is not just a command, but a promise. Indeed, we customarily complete the Seder night by reciting the Song of Songs, King Solomon's marvelous, profound poem celebrating the love between G-d and the assembly of Israel.
That story of the great love between G-d and Israel is retold in the Pesach Haggadah from generation to generation, father to son, as we recline as free men on the first night of the holiday. In the past, however, we have faced unimaginably harsh conditions, such as when we were pursued to death by the Spanish Inquisition, or when Jews were being burned to death in the furnaces of Auschwitz and elsewhere in Europe. Throughout those times, as well, Jews never ceased to recite in secret that great love story. Reciting the Haggadah during our most difficult hours reveals our great love for G-d. As with all who truly love one another, we love G-d under all conditions and in all situations.
The Haggadah begins with the words, "We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt" and it concludes, "Next year in rebuilt Jerusalem." This is a story going back thousands of years, but it is replete with love. How fortunate we are and how fortunate our generation that we are privileged to live in Eretz Yisrael and Jerusalem, and to see with our own eyes the fulfillment of G-d's promise made to our ancestors in Egypt. "We therefore are obligated to thank, praise, laud, glorify, exalt, honor, bless, extol and adore Him who performed for our fathers and for us all of these wonders.... Therefore, let us recite a new song before Him." (Lefichach)