Shvi'i shel Pesach - We are Not Alone

We are Not Alone

The Haggadah of Pesach tells us that “Rabban Gamliel used to say: Whoever has not explained the following three things on Passover has not fulfilled his duty, namely: Pesach – the Passover Offering; Matzah – the Unleavened Bread; Maror – the Bitter Herbs.” This is puzzling. The Torah generally does not reveal the reasons for the mitzvos. Hashem’s mitzvos are multi-faceted, with many layers of understanding underlying each mitzvah. Indeed, the Torah itself does not reveal the reasons for these three mitzvos. So why does Rabban Gamliel insist that specific reasons for each of these mitzvos must be articulated at the Seder?

Rav Moshe Feinstein, ZT”L explains that each of these mitzvos, which apply to the Seder night, all have ramifications that resonate beyond Passover. Focusing on the Korban Pesach, each Jewish household was required to take a lamb, an Egyptian deity, and keep it tied up in their home for four days before slaughtering it. Then, they smeared the blood on their doorposts. (Shemos 12:3-7). This act was a public and courageous rejection of Egyptian idolatry, performed in full view of their oppressors. It was a tremendous demonstration of faith.

Moreover, the Torah tells us that while Hashem would “go through the land of Egypt and strike down every [male] first-born in the land of Egypt” (Shemos 12:12), he noticed the blood on the doorposts of the Jewish homes. As Rabban Gamliel elaborates: “For He passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt while He struck the Egyptians, but saved those in our homes.” While the Jews were sitting in their homes, seemingly helpless to save themselves, Hashem stood guard, protecting them from the death that struck both man and beast throughout Egypt.

Rav Moshe points out that this was not a singular event. Hashem’s protection continues every moment of our lives. For example, while one is travelling in an automobile, there are many potential dangers, such as bad drivers, potholes in the road, mechanical defects and many other dangers that could at any time cause serious injury or death. Yet we often go about our lives unaware, protected by Hashem’s constant vigilance.

Rabban Gamliel stresses that explaining the meaning of the Passover offering at the seder reinforces an enduring lesson - that Hashem is always protecting us. Just this past year we witnessed hundreds of Iranian missiles launched toward Israel – yet miraculously not a single life was lost from these attacks. This echoes the events in Egypt, where Hashem shielded us from the Angel of Death. As King David writes, “The Lord is your Guardian; the Lord is your shadow; [He is] by your right hand. (Psalm 121:5). When we remember Who protects us, we walk through life with courage - not because we are fearless, but because we are never alone.