Machshava:

Pesach 

Parsha:

Bo,  Va'etchanan 

Collections: Rabbi Etshalom Hagada

Description

The Mishnah (Pesahim 10:5) establishes the obligation - in every generation - for a person to view himself (or, per Rambam's nuanced wording, "to show himself") as if he was personally part of the Exodus. It is not at all clear, however, that this passage is part of the original Mishnah. In addition to this possible addendum to the Mishnah, our Hagadot add a second passage afterwards - "It is not only our ancestors whom God took out, rather He took us out with them". Each of these statements is followed by its own distinct prooftext. We explore the obligation, the difference between the two statements and how each prooftext supports a unique perspective on multi-generational participation and presence in that great foundational event.