Hallel: Chol haMoed Pesach: Journey to the Mountain I

“The Song will be yours like the night of the festival’s consecration, and heartfelt gladness like one who walks with a flute, to come to the mountain of God, the Rock of Israel (Isaiah 30:29).” “The Song will be yours like the night of the festival’s consecration,” refers to the Hallel they sang as they offered the first Pesach, which we sing after Ma’ariv, before the Seder.. “And heartfelt gladness like one who walks with a flute,” refers to Hallel of the first day of Pesach, when they began to walk; their journey out of Egypt. “To come to the mountain of God, the Rock of Israel,” refers to the journey to Sinai, which they began to sing on the second day of Pesach.

Journey to the Mountain I:

It is one thing to sing the Hallel when offering the very first Pesach, or when marching out of Egypt into freedom. The second day of the journey, when all they were doing was moving forward, beginning to wonder whether the Egyptians would chase them, is a much different Hallel. Yet, they continued to sing.

It is one thing to sing the Hallel when we are excited about the Seder that is about to begin, and the morning after the Seder when we are inspired by our service. It is an entirely different approach when the days are Chol HaMoed, and we are no longer as focused on the joy and excitement. Yet, we continue to sing.

This is not a song of looking back, but how we can move forward empowered more by our singing Hallel than by special experiences and Mitzvot.

This is the song of the Servant of God who knows that is his service as a continuing song of praise that will empower him to move forward.

“Hallelukah!

Praise, you who serve God! Praise the Name of God.

Let the Name of God be blessed from now and forever.

From sunrise to sundown, the Name of God is praised.

God is above all the nations. His Glory is beyond the sky.

Who is like God, our Lord, Who lives up high, but drops down to see what happens (to us) in the (lower) heaven and earth?

Who lifts up the lowly from the dust, raises the destitute from the garbage dumps to be seated with leaders, the leaders of their people.

Who Makes a home for the childless woman and joy for the mother of children. Hallelukah!”