Baruch HaMakom – It is here that we refer to Hashem by His attribute of omnipresence. Before we allow ourselves to become absorbed in the mitzvah of Sipur Yetzias Mitzrayim, we must first understand with absolute clarity that Hashem is present in each and every facet of our lives, even when He isn’t explicitly felt or seen.
This Shabbos coincides with Rosh Chodesh, and we will recite Hallel to praise and thank Hashem – for the past, present and the future – for redeeming us and sustaining us with His abundant kindness. Kapital 118, for example, speaks prophetically of the Redemption, and describes the praise and thanks that will be sung then by the ingathered exiles. It describes our trust in Hashem, and our firm belief in His salvation regardless of the situation.
We find ourselves within the stage of “Someich Geulah l’Geulah.” We have gone from the Yom Tov of Purim – the Yom Tov of giving freely to one another, exchanging gifts and distributing funds to the poor and to “kol haposhet yad nosnim lo.” Now, as we are about to announce the arrival of Chodesh Nissan – the month of Pesach, the month of “kol dichfin yeitzei v’yeichal, kol ditzrich yeitzei v’yifsach” – by doing so we are in fact proclaiming our readiness for the Geulah Shelaimah.
After taking a moment to collect himself, the boy closed his eyes and began to sing, in Yiddish, the famous Seder song Echod Mi Yodea. The boy only knew it starting from seven and so he slowly began, “Zibin iz der heiligeh Shabbos….” This turned out to be the highlight of the night.
Moishe Oysher’s voice was rich, warm and colorful. In his recordings, he attains a depth and a celebration that affect the listener to the core of his emotions. He was a natural actor and would use his theatrical aptitude to entertain his audience through his masterful gift of song.
Even after ascending to heaven, he continues to advocate on behalf of his nation. A seat of honor is set for him at every bris milah and a cup named for him is poured at the Seder. He is a figure not only of the past, but also of the present and future.
By taking us out in the way that He did, Hashem was clearly demonstrating that His beloved people are, and will always be under His direct and focused care. In this way, Yetzias Mitzrayim revealed the true essence of Klal Yisroel – we are, and always have been, a supernatural nation.