Commentary for Pesachim 231:13

<big><strong>מתני׳</strong></big> רבן גמליאל היה אומר כל שלא אמר

Rather, said Raba, It was thus taught: For on all other nights we are not obliged to dip even once, whereas on this night, twice. To this R'Safra demurred: A statutory obligation on account of children!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' 'Obliged' (hayyabin) connotes a religious precept, whereas as stated supra ');">¹⁸</span> Rather, said R'Safra, He teaches thus: We do not dip even once, whereas this night [we dip] twice. HE COMMENCES WITH SHAME AND CONCLUDES WITH PRAISE. What is 'WITH SHAME'? Rab said: 'Aforetime our fathers were idolaters'; while Samuel said: 'We were slaves.'<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The modern liturgy combines both, commencing however with the latter.');">¹⁹</span> R'Nahman asked his slave Daru: 'When a master liberates his slave and gives him gold and silver, what should he say to him? ' 'He should thank and praise him,' replied he.' You have excused us from saying "Why [is this night] different? "' observed he. [Thereupon] he commenced by reciting, 'We were slaves.' <big><b>MISHNAH: </b></big>R'GAMALIEL USED TO SAY: WHOEVER DOES NOT MAKE MENTION OF<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Perhaps better: 'explain.' as R. Gamaliel's main point is that their purpose must be explained; v. Kaplan, Redaction of the Talmud, p. 203.');">²⁰</span>

Explore commentary for Pesachim 231:13. In-depth commentary and analysis from classical Jewish sources.