This parashah contains the declaration which was said by our ancestors when they brought their bikkurim (first fruits) to the Temple in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 26:5-10). It also serves as the narrative framework of the magid section of the Pesach hagadah, framing the retelling of the story of the Exodus from Egypt.
What is the connection between this declaration and the Passover story? The declaration talks about our far from illustrious past as a nation - our sojourn and then slavery in Egypt, before crying out to Adonai, and our deliverance at God’s hand.
The Rabbis debate (Pesachim 116a) what is the genut (disgrace) from which we started as a nation - is it our idolatry (spiritual disgrace) as Rav argues or our slavery (physical disgrace) as Shmuel argues? Rav suggests the shevach (praise) we reach through God's hand is accepting the Torah, whereas Shmuel posits that it is physical freedom. Whatever the case may be - perhaps it is both - recalling our ignoble origin story should teach us humility and modesty. Our beginnings are in disgrace and we should not think of ourselves as superior to any other; in fact, it should cultivate empathy and inform how we treat others.
Shabbat shalom,
Ilan Bloch, Director of Jewish Life and Learning
SEP