2021/5781
Rav Chaim Palagi (1788-1868--Chief Rabbi of Turkey) explains in the name of his Rebbi, the Rosh Yosef, why Chazal gave us the Mitzvah of Heseibah, reclining, on the night of the Seder (Haggada Chaim L'Rosh). The Pasuk states (Shemot 13:18), "VaYasev Elokim Et Ha'Am,” Hashem turned the people around. Chazal learn from this Pasuk that on the Seder night one should eat BeHeseibah, while leaning to the left. In addition, the Midrash (Parashat Beshalach 20:18) states that from here Chazal learn that even a poor person should recline on the night of the Seder, for this is what Hashem did for Bnei Yisrael in the desert. We see here that the word Heseibah has two meanings: "turning around" and "reclining".
We must understand why we derive the concept of "Heseibah," reclining, from the Pasuk, "Hashem turned the people around." The Ktav Sofer (Avraham Shmuel Binyomin Sofer 1815-1871) explains that it is the obligation of every single person to recline on the night of the Seder and to adorn his table with gold and silver. This reminds us of Cheirut, freedom, to glorify the miracles Hashem does for us. In addition, we relate how we began as slaves in Mitzrayim, and Hashem took us out and gave us an abundance of wealth. A rich person tends to be glad and has a heart full of joy, so he reclines in the manner of the wealthy. A poor person, on the other hand, may not not have what to eat. He can barely afford Matzot and he has no fine utensils to display. Still, he is obligated to recline and feel like a king.
Chazal teach that when a person contemplates all the miracles that happened in Mitzrayim, his heart will be full of trust in Hashem. Bnei Yisrael were in a grave situation in Mitzrayim. The Mitzrim were chasing them with chariots, but in a short span of time everything turned around completely. The Mitzrim drowned at sea and Bnei Yisrael were saved and even collected the riches of the Mitzrim. Although Bnei Yisrael hadn't yet received the Torah, Hashem saved them because in the future they would receive the Torah. We see how Hashem never forsakes those who fear Him. This is why we recline at the Seder, to show that our hearts are full of trust that Hashem will never forsake us.
With this idea we can understand the words of the Midrash. “VaYasev Elokim Et Ha'Am,” Hashem turned the nation around and had Bnei Yisrael go in the opposite direction. Even a poor person is obligated to eat while reclining because the act of reclining serves as a lesson to help us understand the ways of Hashem. In one single moment everything turned around, MiShibud LeGe’ulah!