Divrei Torah

What is necessary for redemption?  In the last chapter of tractate Sanhedrin Rav and Shmuel argue as to the conditions that will exist prior to the ultimate salvation.  Rav states that the Messiah will arrive only after we totally repent our sins and come close to Hashem.  Shmuel contends that Hshem will get frustrated seeing His children suffer and will rescue us even if we are not deserving.

 
There is an obligation to remember the exodus from Egypt every night of the year.  In what way is the mizvah of telling over the story different on the seder night than any other night of the year?  In the book Hemek Bracha it is brought down in the name of Rav Chaim Solovechik that one several facets that make the seder unique.  At the seder we must tell the entire story of the Egypt experience while during the year we merely need to mention that Hashem took us from Egypt.  Moreover, we must start the story telling of our meager beginning and end with praising Hashem for His kindness.

Rav and Shmuel differ as to which part of the Haggadah tells of our humble past.  According to Rav when we mention that Avraham’s father worshipped idolatry we are fulfilling the obligation of starting off on the wrong foot, and we conclude with the praise of how Hashem brought us into His service.  In contrast, Shmuel says we tell of the bondage to Egypt and end with the story of the exodus.

 

This argument of Rav and Shmuel coincides with their opinions about when redemption is brought about.  According to Rav exile and salvation depend solely on our spiritual level; therefore, talking about our ascent from paganism to Mt. Sinai is the essence of the Passover story.  Shmuel say that the state of our people depend more on how Hashem wishes to interact with us; hence’ the rise from servitude to emancipation is the central theme for the seder.