REB ZEVI CHAITON
Among all of this, it is important to remember that Pesach is also a holy chag, one where we feel the presence of Hashem in a more real way. This is highlighted through various passages and customs observed on Seder night.
We start Maggid, the recounting of the Pesach story, with an Aramaic invitation to anyone who needs a seder and does not have one. It is often asked why this paragraph is in Aramaic while the rest of the Haggadah is in Hebrew? What differentiates this passage from all the others?
One of the answers given is that Aramaic was once the global language of the world, while only the very learned knew Hebrew. Aramaic was the equivalent of English today.
When we invite guests to the seder, our intention isn’t only to invite learned scholars to join us. On the contrary, our main target is those not as educated about Pesach, those unfamiliar with all the customs. That way, we can give them the opportunity of a rich, meaningful seder experience.
However, there is another answer that goes a little bit deeper, beyond a language technicality. Every time we pray, our words are brought before Hashem by angels.
These angels act as advocates for us on high. For them to advocate for us to the best of their ability, it’s preferable that they understand our prayers so that they may present our case before Hashem.
It’s for this reason that most of our prayers are in Hebrew, the language of the angels, helping them to understand what we are saying. G-d Himself, however, isn’t limited by language barriers like the angels, and every single prayer, whatever the language, is understood.
When we start off the seder with a paragraph in a language that the angels don’t understand, we are demonstrating that tonight, we are speaking one on one with Hashem, without the need of any advocates, messengers, or interpreters.
On the seder night, we speak to G-d directly. His presence is felt in a more tangible way, so there is no need for any intermediary to intervene on our behalf.
This point is also clearly alluded to later in the Haggadah. While recounting the story of Exodus and the might of Hashem, we expound upon many verses from the Torah.
One of these teachings uses various words from the verse to prove that Hashem didn’t use any intermediary to redeem the Jews. Instead, Hashem descended in all His glory to take the Jews personally out of Egypt.
The Pesach story is not only an event in our history, but an experience that we relive every year. This is clearly illustrated on the first night of Pesach, called leil shimurim (the night of guarding) because G-d Himself protects the Jewish people on this night. Just as G-d was with us, personally, on the night He took us out of Egypt, so too each year, Hashem joins every family for their Pesach seders.
Let’s take advantage of this auspicious time, and really maximise the tremendous spiritual potential of Pesach. Chag Sameach!
- Rev Zevi Chaiton is a rabbinic intern at Sydenham Shul.
