“And Moshe said, you must also give us sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our G-d.” (Shemos 10:25)

During Moshe Rabbeinu’s negotiations with Pharaoh about leaving Egypt to serve Hashem, Moshe haggles over the details of who should go and what to bring. Moshe Rabbeinu tells Pharaoh, “Not only will we take all of our belongings, but you too will send animals with us to bring as an offering to Hashem!” I had always understood this as Moshe Rabbeinu trying to tell Pharaoh, “Not only are you not in control, but we will bring you to the point that you will help our cause!” In other words, you – who pretend to be a god and in control of the world – are merely a pawn in the hand of the real G-d. This theme is central to Seder Night, even as is depicted in the children’s song, “Pharoah in pajamas in the middle of the night.” (We should also realize that the same is true for us – we are also pawns on Hashem’s board).

However, the Bat Ayin (Rabbi Avraham Dov Auerbach of Avritch 1765-1840) gives a deeper meaning to this exchange and my idea is culled from his thought. We are familiar that there are two ways to serve Hashem: 1) through ahava (love); and 2) through yira (fear). The ultimate love for Hashem is expressed by doing mitzvos not merely because Hashem will reward us, but because we desire to be connected to Hashem and consider it our honor to be able to serve Him. Those who do not have this strong connection may still serve Hashem and even do it flawlessly, but it is because they are afraid of the repercussions of “slipping up.” In my mind’s eye, I see these two people as tightrope walkers. One will continue to the other side, for he realizes that if he stops he may lose his momentum and fall, while the other is excited by the thrill. When the second one makes it to the other side, instead of being emotionally spent, he is elated, for he has successfully accomplished a difficult task, which he truly loves.

When Klal Yisrael left Egypt, they followed Hashem with true belief and vigor, and felt secure that this was the right way to serve Hashem. This kind of service seems to be the higher level, but if Pharaoh would be giving any animals for offerings, it would obviously be because he felt compelled to do so. This seemingly means that we need to include the lower level of service as well, serving Hashem out of fear.

Thus, the conversation between Moshe and Pharaoh was about the best way to serve Hashem. If someone has already achieved the higher level of serving Hashem out of love, is it also necessary to serve Hashem out of fear, which is the lower level of service?

I heard once that the Alter of Novardok (Yosef Yozel Horwitz 1847-1919) told Rav Chatzkel Abromsky “L’olam yilmad adam shelo lishma” (a person should always serve Hashem, even not altruistically). Chazal are teaching us not only is this the way to get to lishma, as the gemora continues “she’metoch shelo lishma ba lishma”, but even after one has attained lishma, he should still keep an aspect of shelo lishma (to propel him further) in his service of Hashem.

I would like to borrow this concept to explain a halacha which many are familiar with, but I feel needs some clarification. On erev Pesach it is forbidden to drink wine or eat matzah so that we should perform the mitzvos at night with eagerness. I wonder: Is this what Chazal should be teaching us? That we should be trying to have physical pleasure from the food served at Seder Night? The answer obviously is “yes”! The higher level of serving Hashem does not have to negate the lower level of serving Hashem. Therefore, it is important not only to enjoy the seder but to also enjoy the matzos.

May we merit to be elated at the end of the Seder Night, knowing that we have performed the seder, not only carrying out the letter of the law, but in a joyous fashion too, singing the praises of Hashem with all our heart.

Chag Kasher v’Somayach.