Hallel: First Day(s) Pesach: Walking with a Flute III

We can easily imagine that the joy of the song as the people gathered to begin their journey out of Egypt was exponentially greater than the song they sang as they offered the Pesach; it was an indication that their first Hallel actually changed them, and prepared them to rise even higher:

“Thus said God: I recall for you the kindness of your youth, the love of your nuptials, your following Me into the Wilderness, into an unsown land (Jeremiah 2:2).” God honors us for following Him into the desert, but we respond:

“Not we, God, not we, but Your Name deserves honor for Your kindness, Your truth.”

They had already experienced God’s power, protection and kindness. They had changed by virtue of their relationship with God, but now they were experiencing an entirely new level of relationship: God honors them for following Him!

We too experienced the same honor in the Seder, “God brought us close to serve Him,” with all the transformative commandments of Pesach.

With this is mind, we sing with those beginning their journey:

“How can the pagans ask, “Where is their God?”

Now our God in the heavens did just what He desired.

Their silver and gold statues are the work of human hands.

They have mouths but do not speak, they have eyes but do not see, they have ears but do not hear, they have noses but do not smell. Hand – but do not feel. Legs – but do not walk. They do not even groan.

Their makers will become like them, all who trust in them.”

When they experienced this honor they developed a new level of Trust in God, and sang, as do we, with them:

Israel: Trust in God! Their Help and Protection!

House of Aaron: Trust in God! Their Help and Protection!

Those who fear God: Trust in God! Their Help and Protection!”