NIF-LA Freedom Seder Insert

This is the bread of poverty which our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt. Let all who are hungry come and eat, Let all who are needy come and celebrate the Passover.

Now we are here, next year we will be in the land of Israel; now we are slaves, next year we will be free.

This matzah that we are eating, what does it commemorate?

It commemorates that our ancestors' dough was not yet able to rise, before the King of of Kings, the Blessed Holy One, revealed [God's self] to them and redeemed them, as it is stated (Exodus 12:39);

"And they baked the dough which they brought out of Egypt into matzot, since it did not rise; because they were expelled from Egypt, and could not delay, nor had they made for themselves any provisions."

(4)(To answer the child's four questions) the parent instructs according to the child's intellectual capability, beginning with [an account of Israel’s] shame and concluding with an account of [Israel’s] glory...

What is the meaning of "begins with [an account of Israel's] shame?"

Rav said, One should begin by telling (the story of Passover beginning with) "at first our ancestors were idol worshipers."

And Shmuel said, One should begin instead by telling the Passover story with, "we were slaves (to Pharaoh in the land of Egypt.)"

And Rav Nachman said to Rabbi Isaac: What is the meaning of the verse: “It is sacred in your midst, and I will not enter The City” (Hosea 11:9).

This verse is truly puzzling! If it is sacred in your midst, why won't God enter The City?

Rabbi Isaac answered Rav Naḥman by quoting Rabbi Yochanan's interpretation of the same verse:

The Blessed Holy One declared: I will not enter Jerusalem above, in heaven, until I enter Jerusalem, below, on earth, at the time of the redemption, when it will truly be sacred in your midst.

The Talmud asks: And is there such a place as Jerusalem above? The Talmud answers: Yes! As it is written: “Jerusalem built up, a city unified together” (Psalms 122:3). The term "unified" indicates that there are two cities of Jerusalem, a heavenly one and an earthly one, which are bound together.