METZORA

When a person tells the story of the liberation of Egypt happily and joyously, then he merits to be joyous together with the Shechinah (Divine Presence) in the future world. This is the greatest happiness of all.

The person who tells the story of the liberation from Egypt is happy with his Master, and G-d is happy about the telling of the story.

At the time when Israel tells the story G-d gathers together all the heavenly hosts, and He says to them, "Go and hear the telling of My praises by My children who are joyous over their redemption." Then they go and join Israel, and listen to the joyous people who are happy about their redemption telling praises of their Master. Then the angels come and praise G-d for all the miracles and mighty deeds that he has wrought, and they priase Him over the holy nation that He has in the world who are so happy with the joyous redemption of their G-d. This, so to speak, increases the power of G-d, [as it is written, "Give power to G-d..." (Psalms 68:35)].

By telling the story Israel gives power to their Master, like a king who increases his power and strength when he is praised and glorified. Then everyone fears him, and his honor is exalted.

Therefore, we need to praise Him and tell this story as it has been arranged.

Similarly, everyone is always obligated to praise G-d, publicize and tell about all the miracles which have been done for him.

(From the Zohar, Ra'aya Mehemna, Parshat Bo, p.40)

The entire night the Rav repeatedly stated, "G-d does everything," and "G-d has done everything." Indeed, this was the only subject of the night and all the days following.

During the seder, when we were reciting the Haggadah, we came to the verse, "I took your father..." (Joshua 24:3). The Rav asked, "Our father Avraham searched for the truth. He was completely dedicated to this, and was even willing to give up his life for it. Therefore, how can we say that G-d took him, as if there was only the taking of G-d, without any arousal from the part of Avraham?"

In answer to this question the mashgiach Rabbi Yechezkel declared, "Tonight we say the truth. G-d does everything. Therefore, it is written, `I took your father....' I took him, and if I had not taken him he could not have gone on his own."

In other words, this night is set aside for praising G-d. When a person opens his mouth to sing the praises of G-d, he must minimize his own part in his success. All his intention is to emphasize and concentrate upon the help he receives from Heaven. Even regarding our patriarch Avraham we thank G-d for everything that Avraham accomplished because it was made possible by the help of Heaven which Avraham received from G-d.

Simply, it would seem that since there is a mitzvah of "telling it to your children," every father is obligated to relate the story to his children in such a way that they can understand it. And as long as they still have questions, it is obligatory upon the father to listen and answer his children in a way that they can understand. The main thing here is to transmit to the children (and others) testimony about the liberation from Egypt.

However, it could be said that since the liberation from Egypt is at the foundation of our faith, and through it all of Israel comes to pure and perfect faith, it is incumbent that no questions or doubts surround it. If the foundation is not strong, then the entire structure can topple. However, if the foundation is solid and clear, then faith will be strong. Afterwards, even a thousand questions cannot harm or damage.

The strongest foundation of faith includes the awareness that a person cannot fathom the Supreme Mind. The Torah is godly; no one can plumb its depths, and therefore a person must study it constantly in order to know and understand. Once a person realizes this, no questions can shake his faith, even in the smallest degree, and his faith will always remain pure and clean.

This explanation adds a dimension to our understanding of the mitzvah of "tell it to your children." Correspondingly, it is written in Sefer Hachinuch (#21, the mitzvah of telling about the liberation from Egypt), "It is not to be wondered that many mitzvot, both positive and negative, have come to us about this, because it is a tremendous foundation and strong pillar of our Torah and our faith. That is why we always say in our blessings and in our prayers "a remembrance of the liberation from Egypt." It is an absolute sign and token that G-d is the innovator of the world and that there is a First Cause who is G-d. He desires and He has made all the beings that exist. It is in His power to change whatever He desires at any time, as He did in Egypt when He changed the nature of the world for our sakes and He made great and powerful signs and wonders which had never been seen in the world beforehand. This refutes all those who deny the creation of the world. It establishes our faith in the knowledge of G-d, may He be blessed, and in His Providence and power, in general and in particular, over everything."