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