5784/2024
As the school year gets closer to winter break, many students
and teachers alike feel themselves asking, “Are we there yet?”
Similarly, during the days of vacation, many will experience
long car rides, and hear the infamous question from the
backseat of the car, “Are we there yet?” In a similar vein, one
can imagine a member of Klal Yisrael asking Moshe Rabbeinu
in Egypt, “Are we there yet? Isn’t it time to leave Egypt
already?” These questions stem from the fact that many things
in life, including the school year, long car rides, and the
redemption process, don’t happen immediately, but rather take
place in stages. Just as the original redemption process from
Egypt took place in stages, so too, the final Geulah, would
appear to be taking place in stages.
Parashat Va’Eira includes the four languages of
“Geulah
1
,” which the Gemara Yerushalmi
2
famously lists as one
the sources for the four cups of wine at the Pesach seder. The
Torah Temimah
3
in this week’s parsha asks as to why we don’t
drink a fifth cup at the seder in light of the fact that the word
“והבאתי “also represents the geulah process, and should
therefore warrant a fifth cup of wine at the seder. The Torah
Temimah himself explains that we cannot drink the fifth cup,
“because we are in the Galut, and the land of Israel is not in our
hands. We therefore look at the cup of Eliyahu and hope for the
Geulah.” The approach of the Torah Temimah would suggest
that, nowadays, the fifth cup should indeed be drunk in light of
our control over the land of Israel. In fact, Rav Menachem
Kasher
4 was of the opinion that, “It is good and proper to drink
the fifth cup and recite Hallel over it in light of the fact that we
have seen Hashem’s miracles in bringing us back to the land.”
Similarly, Rav Moshe Tzuriel, former Mashgaich of Yeshivat
Sha’alvim, also writes that, “Particularly those who live in Israel
should drink the fifth cup and thank Hashem for bringing us
back to Israel.
5
” While these contemporary opinions might
seem a bit “untraditional,” the discussion about drinking a fifth
cup at the seder has been taking place since the days of the
rishonim.
The Rambam6 writes that, “The fifth cup is optional
but not a requirement.” The Ra’avad
7 also presents the opinion
that one “Has the permission to drink a fifth cup at the seder
corresponding to the word “והבאתי. “In the Shulchan Aruch, the
Rama
8 writes that, “One may have a fifth cup at the seder, and
recite Hallel over it.” We see from these sources that the
concept of drinking a fifth cup at the seder over some words of
Hallel is very much within the Halachic framework. This being
said, it is certain that the minhag in America is to only drink
four cups, and only pour the fifth cup for Eliyahu without
drinking it. The Mishna Berurah
9 records this practice, and
writes that, “We pour the fifth cup for Eliyahu, and believe that
Hashem will bring the Geulah just as He freed us from Egypt.”
Although we might passively stare at the fifth cup, perhaps we
can now appreciate those who are actively taking the fifth cup
into their own hands.
Both the Ramban and Rabeinu Bachya explain the
different stages of Geulah from Egypt in their commentaries on
this week’s parsha as they explain the four distinct words of
Geulah. Interestingly, Rabeinu Bachya
10 comments on the word
“והבאתי, “that, “Just as Hashem took us out of Egypt with
miracles, He was going to instantly bring us into Israel if not for
our sins in the desert.” This comment alludes to the Gemara in
Masechet Sanhedrin
11 which states that final redemption can
either come, “ahead of time if we are worthy, or slowly if we are
unworthy.” In a word, it is up to us to bring the Geulah. The
more worthy we are, the more likely it is that Mashiach will
arrive at a sooner date. At the present time, there are those
looking at the fifth cup from their seat at the table as they wait
for the Geulah. This is a very praiseworthy level to be on.
However, I raise my glass to those individuals living in Israel
who are fighting to defend our borders. They are not waiting
for the Geulah passively, but are attempting to hasten the
Geulah actively. According to many, they are the ones who even
have the Halachic right to drink the fifth cup at the seder. We
should all be Zocheh to join them soon and usher in Mashiach
as soon as possible.
הגדת פסח ארץ-ישראלית עמ' 179 4
3 שמות ו:ו
ירושלמים פסחים י:א 2
שמות ו:ו-ח 1
.צט 11
שמות ו:ח 10
9 תפ ס"ק י
שו"ע או"ח תפ"א:א 8
שו"ת תמים דעים סימן ל 7
6 הלכות חמץ ומצה ח:י
5 Yeshiva.org