When our children teach US. One of the most beautiful parts of the Seder is when we recite the words ״הדמעש איהו״ .

It is towards the beginning of the Seder, before some of the children get tired, before some of the adults get hungry, and hopefully before some wine stains on the clean white tablecloth.

My personal thoughts in this paragraph, are in the first 4 words. They have deep meaning and relevance.
איהו – And this is
הדמעש – stood
וניתובאל – for our ancestors
ונלו – and for us

The first word “איהו,” is addressing the age-old question of how the Jewish people always managed to survive and persevere throughout the ages?

The Haggadah points out, that it is G-d’s promise to the Jewish people that sustains the miracle of Jewish survival. We can be confident and rely on this promise. We should share this with our children, and think about it during challenging times.

The next word is “הדמעש,” is from the word “ דמע,” to stand. Surviving is not enough, we also need to stand tall. There is much richness and depth in our heritage. The more we invest our time and energy in Jewish wisdom and Mitzvot, the more proud we become.

To quote Rabbi Jonothan Sacks Z’L, “If we want to fight antisemitism, let us walk tall and proud as Jews, and let us work with all humanity to banish hatred forever.”

We then say the word “וניתובאל,” to our parents and ancestors. This is an important part of celebrating Pesach and being a Jew- the connection to our parents and grandparents. When the different generations connect, it fuels continuity.

We all have memories from the Seders of our youth. Some of us have a specific song, recipe or custom that feels sacred, a connection to past generations.
ןורושי תליהק הייב

If you think about it, our Seder tables are a direct line all the way back to the original Exodus from Egypt. Our grandparents sat at the Seder with their parents/ grandparents, who sat with theirs etc.

And finally, we come to the word “ונל,” to us. While it is important to connect to the past and older generations, we also need to find how it is relevant to us. We need to see ourselves in the story of Pesach.

As we say in the Haggadah, “In every generation, each person must see him/herself as if they left Egypt.”

The Hebrew word for Egypt is Meztrayim. The meaning of the word is limitations and boundaries. Each of us has certain comfort zones and boundaries, that either we created or got accustomed to. When we leave those boundaries we experience freedom, to truly live, care for another and find true meaning in our lives.

Lechaim!
Hope to see you in Shule
Wishing you and yours a Chag Pesach Kasher Vesameach,

Rabbi Zalman and Rebbitzin Esty Goldstein