Passover תרס”ג 7
הללו עבדי ה’ ולא עבדי פרעה.
“These are the servants of God, and not the servants of Pharaoh.”
The Sefat Emet begins by distinguishing true servitude to God from the oppressive bondage of Egypt.
כל עבדות מביא עצבון שכל עבד מבקש תחבולות לצאת מן העבדות.
“All servitude brings sorrow, for every servant seeks schemes to escape from servitude.”
Human forms of servitude generate distress, because the natural instinct of one who is enslaved is to escape.
לבד עבדות הבורא ית”ש מביא שמחה.
“Only the servitude of the Blessed Creator brings joy.”
Service of God is unique, for it elevates rather than diminishes a person and therefore becomes a source of joy.
וזה שבחן של בנ”י שקבלו עבדות ה’ בשמחה ורצו אחריו במדבר.
“And this is the praise of the Children of Israel—that they accepted God’s servitude with joy and followed Him into the desert.”
Israel’s willingness to embrace divine service wholeheartedly is proof of their spiritual greatness.
וזה עדות שהם באמת עבדי ה’ כמ”ש עבדי הם.
“And this is testimony that they are truly God’s servants, as it is written: ‘They are My servants.’”
Their joyful acceptance demonstrates that their identity as God’s servants is authentic.
והרי כל איש ישראל מבקש כל מיני עצות ותחבולות לקבל עליו מלכות שמים.
“For every Jew seeks all kinds of strategies and efforts to accept the yoke of Heaven upon himself.”
Rather than fleeing, a Jew actively strives to deepen his commitment to God’s sovereignty.
היפוך עבד מלך בו”ד שמבקש עצות לברוח מן העבדות.
“This is the opposite of a servant of a mortal king, who seeks strategies to escape servitude.”
Unlike worldly servitude, divine service invites voluntary closeness rather than resentment.
והם עדים על הבורא ית”ש שהוא בלבד לו יאה ולו נאה המלוכה.
“And they testify about the Blessed Creator that He alone is worthy and fitting for kingship.”
Israel’s pursuit of God’s kingship affirms that only God truly deserves sovereignty.
לכן בפסח עיקר השמחה בקבלת מלכות שמים שזכינו להיות עבדי ה’.
“Therefore on Passover the primary joy is in receiving the yoke of Heaven, for we merited to become God’s servants.”
Passover celebrates this joyous acceptance, marking Israel’s transformation into God’s nation.
בתשרי חל מלכות שמים על כל הברואים כמ”ש אמרו לפני מלכיות כו’.
“In Tishrei, the kingship of Heaven rests upon all creations, as it is said: ‘Proclaim before Me verses of Kingship…’”
Rosh Hashanah universalizes divine rule over all beings.
אבל ניסן מיוחד מלכות שמים על בנ”י בפרט שקבלת מלכותו ית”ש לבנ”י מצד יצ”מ ביחוד.
“But in Nisan, the kingship of Heaven is particular to Israel, for the acceptance of His kingship by Israel comes especially through the Exodus.”
Nisan focuses on Israel’s unique and intimate acceptance of divine sovereignty, rooted in their redemption.
כמ”ש אנכי ה’ אלקיך אשר הוצאתיך מארץ מצרים שהם בני חורין ויכולין לקבל מלכות שמים בשמחה.
“As it is written: ‘I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt,’ for they are free people and able to accept the yoke of Heaven with joy.”
The Exodus granted freedom specifically so that Israel could joyfully enter God’s service.
Summary: The Sefat Emet teaches that whereas worldly servitude breeds sorrow, divine service brings joy. Israel’s embrace of God’s kingship—especially in Nisan through the Exodus—reveals their true status as God’s willing servants, affirming that only God is worthy of kingship.
