Hallel as Shirah: Paragraph Four: A Promise To Accompany

The Sages say, “This is my Lord and I will glorify Him,” “v-anveihu,” should be read, “alvenhu,” I will escort Him, until I enter His Temple with Him. This can be compared to a King who journeyed across the sea, and his son accompanied him. The King then traveled to another country, and his son insisted on accompanying him. So too, when Israel went down into Egypt, the Divine Presence went down with them, as the verse says, “I will go down to Egypt with you (Genesis 46:4).” When they ascended from Egypt, the Divine Presence accompanied them, as the verse says, “I will go up with you.” Israel went down into the Sea and the Divine Presence went down with them, as the verse says, “And the Angel of the Lord traveled (Exodus 14:19).”They exited the Sea into the desert and the Divine Presence was with them, as the verse says, “And God moved before them (13:21).” Until they brought Him with them to the Temple, as the verse says, “Scarce had I passed from them, when I found him whom my soul loves: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me (Song of Songs 3:4).” (Mechiltah, Beshalach)

This midrash is describing the people as bringing the Divine Presence with them; not that She accompanied them! The people sensed that the brought the Divine Presence with them, and they committed themselves to always bring Her with them until they could bring Her to Her Home.

We sing this paragraph of Hallel as Shirah with a clear sense that wherever we are we bring the Divine Presence with us, until we can bring Her to the Beit Hamikdash and thank God for all He has done to give us such protection, power, blessing and independence.

• Sing this paragraph after reviewing moments from Pesach and the past year when we sensed God’s Presence in our lives.
• Sing this paragraph as a commitment to create an environment for God’s Presence to remain close until we can accompany Her to the Beit Hamikdash.

“What can I respond to God for all the good He has given to make me independent?

I will lift up the cup of salvation and I will call out in God’s Name.

I will fulfill my promises to God in front of all His nation.

Death to His pious ones is precious in God’s eyes.

Please God, allow me to be Your servant.

I am Your worker, the son of Your maidservant,

You unlocked my chains.

I will bring an offering of thanks to You, and I will call out in the Name of God.

I will fulfill my promises to God in front of all His nation.

In the courtyards of God’s House, in the center of Jerusalem.

Hallelukah!”