5785/2025
After Pharoah tells Moshe and Aharon to take all of Bnei Yisrael and all of the animals to leave Mitzrayim the Pasuk states: “VaYisa Ha’Am Et BeTzeiko Terem Yechmatz Mishe’arotam Tzerurot BeSimlotam Al Shichemam”, “Bnei Yisrael carried the leftover dough before it became Chametz , wrapped it in their garments, and put it on their shoulders.” (Shemot 12:34). Rashi quotes the Mechilta, who says the leftover was the Matzah and the Marror.
The Korban Pesach that was brought on the night of Yud Daled consisted of Pesach, Matzah, and Marror. Bnei Yisrael took their leftover Matzah and leftover Marror with them. It is easy to understand why Bnei Yisrael took the leftover Matzah because we know that Matzah has a dual purpose: Lechem Oni. Still, we also eat Matzah to represent the rushed leaving of Mitzrayim when the dough couldn’t rise.
However Marror, as we know, is eaten because: על שום שמררו המצרים את־חיי אבותינו במצרים. Because the Egyptians embittered our forefather’s lives in Mitzrayim, we need to remember the hardships that we experienced in Mitzrayim. So why would we want to bring such a thing with us as we are going to freedom?
Rabbi Andi Yudin explains that as soon as Bnei Yisrael left Mitzrayim, they realized the hardships and struggles they went through, all of which were part of the process of Geulah. Not only was it part of the process, but it was essential to being redeemed. The Sefer Mitzvot Katan asks a question on the Gemara on Daf 31a, which discusses the questions that will be asked when you get to Shamayim. One of them is, did you yearn for redemption (צפית לישועה). The Smak asks if this is so fundamental, why isn’t it found in the Torah? The Smak answers that it can be found in the first of the Aseret HaDibrot: אנכי יקוק אלקיך אשר הוצאתיך מארץ מצרים מבית עבד͏ים, I Hashem, am your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, the house of bondage.
Part of believing that Hashem took us out of Mitzrayim is believing that Hashem will take us out of Galut and save us from all of our hardships. It is essential to understand that all of the difficulties of living in Galut aren’t furthering us from redemption. Rather, it’s the most integral part of the Geulah process. True Emunah in Geulah is when one understands that even the “Marror”— the bitter times, are part of Hashem’s plan.