In the kerias haTorah for the last day of Pesach, we are commanded to remember the events of Yetzias Mitzrayim all the days of our lives. What is the relationship between this daily obligation and the annual mitzvah of telling the story of Yetzias Mitzrayim on the night of the Seder? From a halachic vantage point, there are real differences between these two mitzvos. According to the Rambam, one must mention the mitzvos of pesach, matza and maror in order to fulfill one's obligation of telling the story on Pesach night. Other Rishonim are of the opinion that the mentioning of these three mitzvos is not an integral part of the story but rather enhances these mitzvos themselves. Even according to the Rambam there is no need to speak about these mitzvos on a daily basis. Rav Chaim Soloveitchik noted that unlike the daily obligation, the story at the Seder must be told in a question-answer format. Additionally, the Pesach story is related by contrasting the negative state of slavery and paganism that were replaced with freedom and worship of Hashem. Every day, however, we simply make a quick reference to the basic event of Yetzias Mitzrayim but do not elaborate upon it as we do at the Seder.
Although these daily and annual obligations are different, there is an important connection between them. Rashi comments on the mitzvah of remembering Yetzias Mitzrayim daily that this is accomplished by eating matza at the Seder. How does the once a year matza enable us to remember Yetzias Mitzraim daily?
The Rambam describes the feelings one should have at the Seder, and considers viewing oneself as if he/she is leaving Mitzrayim to be the essence of the Seder night experience. The Rambam cites as the source the passuk concerning Shabbos that we should view ourselves as slave who have been freed. How can a passuk concerning Shabbos be the source for how to observe the Pesach Seder?
By linking the unique night of the Seder to the daily and weekly remembrances of Yetziyas Mitzrayim, the Torah is instructing us how to draw inspiration throughout the year. Every day and every night when we make a quick reference to Yetzias Mitzrayim, we should think back to how inspired we were at the Seder. Similarly, when we recite Kiddush on a weekly basis and declare Shabbos is a remembrance to Yetzias Mitzrayim, we should conjure up memories of the Kiddush we recited at the Seder.
The relationship between annual mitzvos and daily ones is not unique to remembering Yetzias Mitzrayim. The mitzvos of the Yomim Noraim are similarly once a year obligations whose themes reverberate throughout the year. Tekias shofar for Rosh Hashannah is a dramatic once a year way that we declare that Hashem is the King of the world. As we make a similar declaration twice daily by reciting Shema, we should draw on the Rosh Hashanna experience. Similarly, although Yom Kippur provides the greatest opportunity for teshuva, teshuva is not limited to the dramatic day of Yom Kippur. Every day when we ask Hashem for forgiveness in our tefillah, we should try to remember the state of teshuva that had been reached during the tefillah of Yom Kippur. The yomim tovim of Succos and Shavuos also have intense experiences of rejoicing in Hashem's presence and appreciating the great gift of Torah. Yet, every day we should experience joy in the service of Hashem and appreciation for His Torah. Once again, we can attain these feelings by drawing on the great moments of these yomim tovim.
Since the yomim tovim set the tone for the entire year, it behooves us to take maximum advantage of these special days. How we commemorate Pesach will impact on every Shabbos of the year, as well as every day and night. The experience of eating matza on Pesach can last the entire year. As we approach Pesach, let prepare to make the most of every moment of the yom tov. The memories have to inspire us for the entire year.
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