In every generation: All of this is part of Rabban Gamliel’s statement. It explains why matzah is considered a Torah law (d’oraita) while eating maror is rabbinic (d’rabbanan). Why is there a difference in the status of these two symbols? According to Rabban Gamliel we are obligated by the Torah to see ourselves as if we went forth from Egypt. The matzah serves as a reminder of this biblical mandate while marorreminds us of slavery (which we are not obligated by the Torah to remember.) Matzah allows us to see ourselves in this fashion. Yet, what purpose is there in “seeing ourselves” as if we personally went forth from Egypt; many generations have passed since the Exodus - what good is there is in seeing the redemption in this way? This teaches us that the purpose of the redemption was not just the liberation from slavery in Egypt but also the fact that we could enter the land of Israel, build the temple, and seek atonement for our sins. Also the matzah alludes to the future redemption as well. The afikomen is an allusion to the final redemption, which is called *tzafun bareikh,*the hidden blessing. It is because of these hopes that scripture made matzahan obligation, “You shall eat matzot at night,”²⁶³ This is an allusion to the fact that we eat matzah during the night (of exile) which comes before the light (of redemption.)

footnotes: ²⁶³ Exodus 12:18

To see himself (atzmo) as if he went forth from Egypt: The statement here could have been “To imagine that he went forth from Egypt;” the word atzmo was unnecessary. Why was it necessary to say, ‘himself?’ We learn in the Talmud that if a one’s father experienced a miracle, his children and offspring must continue to give thanks.²⁶⁴54a The redemption from Egypt goes much farther than that. We are grateful not just because of our ancestors but because we ourselves benefited from God’s redemption. We are the direct recipients of God’s goodness in the Exodus (otherwise ‘we might still be slaves.’) We are commanded to give thanks not because it affected our forefathers but because we directly benefit from God’s redemption.

footnotes: ²⁶⁴ BT Berachot