2021/5781

Towards the end of the Seder during Nirtzah, there is a paragraph called “Vayehi BaChatzi Halayla” which talks about all the miracles Hashem did for us at night throughout history. Many ask, “why is this here and why do we need/care to list all of these things that Hashem did for us throughout all of history?” To answer this question, we will examine a Machloket between Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel about Hallel at the Seder. Beit Shammai say that at the seder we should say the first paragraph of Hallel at Maggid and then start with Betzeit Yisrael (second paragraph) in Hallel after the meal and benching. Beit Hillel say that at the seder we say the first two paragraphs of Hallel during Maggid and start with Lo Lanu during Hallel after the meal and benching. 

Two main questions emerge from this Machlokes. The first question is why do we need to say part of Hallel during Magid. The second is what are Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel really arguing about. An answer to the first question is that right after we hear what Hashem did for us, we should say Hallel immediately - after we hear the story - and should not wait until after the meal to start to thank Hashem. An answer to the second question - what Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel are arguing about - is that Beit Shammai say, since you need to thank Hashem right after Magid, you should only say the first paragraph, which thanks Hashem in very broad ways, while we should save the paragraph about Yetzias Mitzrayim for after the meal. This way, we can connect it to the fourth cup which is the cup of Hallel. Beit Shammai want to show the importance of the fourth cup, the cup of Hallel, so they say to keep the paragraph of Yetzias Mitzrayim for after the meal. However, Beit Hillel say that in Maggid, right after we hear about Yetziat  Mitzrayim, we should say the paragraph of thanking Hashem for taking us out of Mitzrayim. So, according to Beit Hillel, what is the significance of Hallel and the cup of Hallel after the meal if we don't even mention Yetziat Mitzrayim then?

The Rav says that anytime we have to thank Hashem for one thing we also have to thank Hashem for all that he does. For example, during Birkat HaMazon we begin by thanking Hashem for food but then we proceed to also thank Him for Eretz Yisrael and other things as well. Similarly, in Birkat HaGomel it says, “HaGomel LeChayavim Tovot SheGmalani Kol Tov,” “The one who rewards the undeserving with goodness, has rewarded me with abundant goodness.” We thank Hashem for all that he does for us and not just for the thing we are saying the Bracha for. So too in regards to Pesach: at the Seder we thank Hashem for all other things that He does and not just Yetziat Mitzrayim. Hillel says we split it up and say the paragraph thanking Hashem for Yetziat Mitzrayim before the meal. This way we can show that not only are we saying Hallel for Yetziat Mitzrayim, but we are thanking Hashem for all that he does. To emphasize this, we do not say the paragraph thanking Hashem for Yetziat Mitzrayim after the meal with the cup of Hallel.

Rav Adler explaines that what the Rav said about Hallel answers our original question about why we say the paragraph of  “Vayehi BaChatzi Halayla.” Since we are thanking Hashem for Makat Bechorot and how he did it for us at night, now we have to thank Hashem for all He did for us at night throughout history. That's why we have this paragraph. I believe this is very important, especially for this hard time, because hopefully at the Seder we can realize all the Bracha Hashem gives to us even in the bad times. We should not only thank Hashem for Yetziat Mitzrayim but also for all that he does for us - even the small things. If we really thank Hashem for everything, hopefully next year, we can all be together in Yerushalayim for the seder.