“…I will bring you out…, and I will save you…, I will redeem you…, I will take you…” (Shemos 6:6-8)

The Passover Seder has many things which come in sets of four: Four questions, four sons, four cups of wine, etc. These four cups correspond to the four expressions of redemption cited above from this week’s parsha: V’Hotzaisi, v’hitzalti, v’ga’alti, v’lakachti. There is also a fifth expression, v’heveisi (I will bring), but it is unclear whether it is an expression of redemption or not. Elijah’s cup therefore exists due to this doubt.

The Rogatchover Gaon (Rabbi Yosef Rosen 1858 –1936), tells us that one of the requirements of any nation is a land in which to dwell in, with the borders of that land giving character and defining the people within. He makes an analogy to a Rambam that explains that one would not be able to toivel in a wave of water (under most circumstances) even if it contained the proper amount of water, for there is nothing to connect together the waters in the wave. Whereas a hole in the ground which contains water gives each drop an association with the drops around it, and they all become part of the same unit. Without that container, there would just be zillions of drops which happen to be adjacent to each other. He therefore explains that there was a progression in forming the nation of Israel, first the miracles and the Exodus from Egypt; second the receiving of the Torah which is the essence of klal Yisrael; and third, having a land in which to live as a single unit.

Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808-1888) continues (though not literally) where the Rogotchover leaves off. Rav Hirsch says that having a land is not absolutely essential as we see that Klal Yisrael existed many years in the diaspora without a land! The four expressions of redemption only relate to the aspects which are vital for Klal Yisrael to exist. The fifth expression of bringing Klal Yisrael to the land is not, and as such it does not have the status of the first four expressions. It is indeed important, but it is just not essential to the same level as the Torah, which is essential to our existence as a nation. Perhaps with this we could understand why this corresponds to Elijah’s cup, which signifies our ultimate shelaymus. When Klal Yisrael does not respond to Hashem as it should, it loses the ‘bonus’ of being a nation. And this is our job in the exile: To earn the privilege to once again be able to occupy our land.

I was speaking to a ben Torah this week and he asked me a basic question about how to tithe foodstuffs. I was surprised by this question and responded, “You have been living here so many years! Don’t you consider it an honor to do the mitzvos which are dependent upon the land?!” He looked at me puzzled and said, “What do you mean?! I normally buy only with a proper hechsher so I don’t have to worry about ma’aser!” to which I responded, “That is almost like an artificial existence here in the Holy Land!” I believe the more that we assert ourselves to do the mitzvos in the land, the more we will merit that Hashem should allow us to remain here to do those mitzvos.

Perhaps this is an appropriate time for us to either learn or practice more of the mitzvos dependent upon the land, in order for us to secure the right to be here. At the same time, this will also help give protection to all of klal Yisrael here, and also in the diaspora.

May we merit that when we lift Elijah’s cup this year at the seder, it will be already AFTER the redemption!