Four Redemptive Praises

בד' זמנים יש הלל פסח שבועות סוכות חנוכה.

“On four occasions we recite Hallel: Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot, and Chanukah.”

The Sefat Emet begins by listing the festivals on which Hallel is an obligation, emphasizing that these moments represent distinct revelations of salvation.

כי ר"ח רק מנהג.

“For Rosh Chodesh is only a custom.”

Unlike the festivals, Hallel on Rosh Chodesh stems from custom, indicating a lower level of revealed redemption.

והם בעבור ד' שצריכין להודות ויש ד' מיני ישועות אלו לכל איש ישראל כדכ' מי חכם וישמר אלה כו'.

“And these correspond to the four matters for which one must give thanks, and these four kinds of salvations exist for every Jew, as it is written: ‘Who is wise? Let him observe these…’”

The Sefat Emet connects the four festivals of Hallel to the four classic categories of deliverance that demand gratitude, teaching that every individual experiences these forms of salvation throughout life.

משמע שהחכם יש לו להרגיש בכל אלו הד' ישועות שעוברין עליו ומכש"כ בכלל ישראל.

“It follows that the wise person must perceive all these four salvations that occur to him, and all the more so regarding the whole people of Israel.”

He explains that true wisdom lies in awareness of divine interventions, both personal and national.

פסח הוא חירותינו נגד יוצא מבית האסורים כו'.

“Passover is our freedom, corresponding to one who goes out from imprisonment.”

Pesach exemplifies the first category of salvation — liberation from bondage — and serves as the paradigm of physical and spiritual freedom.

Summary: The four festivals of Hallel parallel the four types of salvation experienced by every Jew. Wisdom is the awareness of these ongoing redemptions, with Pesach representing liberation from imprisonment.