We have seen that besides the mitzvah to mention the Exodus at the Pesach seder, there is a mitzvah to mention it every day. What exactly is the difference between these two mitzvos?
Chasam Sofer
The Chasam Sofer explains that it is possible to fulfill the mitzvah of mentioning Yetzias Mitzrayim every day by listening to someone else talk about it, even a child, who is not halachically required to fulfill the mitzvah. Although we cannot apply the rule of shomeia k’oneh, listening is equivalent to reciting, it is still sufficient. However, on the night of the seder, one must either say it himself or listen to someone who is halachically required to fulfill the mitzvah. Since we apply the halachic principle of shomeia k’oneh, listening is like saying, it will be considered as if he said it himself.
Minchas Chinuch
The Minchas Chinuch suggests that one can fulfill the mitzvah on his own every day just by saying it to himself. However, on the night of the seder, one must tell the story to others. If one is alone, he can only fulfill the everyday mitzvah but not the unique mitzvah that should be done on the seder night.
He also brings up the possibility of another difference. He suggests that on a regular night, it will suffice just to mention the actual exodus, whereas, on the leil haseder, one must give more details of the miracles that transpired. However, he rejects this explanation based on the words of the Pri Chodosh, who writes that the mitzvah of sipur Yetzias Mitzrayim can be fulfilled with the words of Kiddush, where we merely mention Yetzias Mitzrayim without any details of the miracles that transpired.
Rav Chaim Brisker
Rav Chaim Brisker states that there are three fundamental ideas that must be expressed on the seder night that we don’t have in the everyday mitzvah:
- At the seder, we must have questions and answers, such as Ma Nishtana. This is something that must be done even if one is alone, and one must ask himself the questions.
- At the seder, we must give more details of what transpired, including how we were slaves and taken out of bondage.
- At the seder, we must explain Pesach, Matzah, and Maror, as we say in the Haggadah: “Whoever does not recite these three things has not fulfilled his obligation.”
SUMMARY
There are a number of ways to explain the difference between the everyday mitzvah and the mitzvah on the seder night:
- The Chasam Sofer says that all year, you can listen to someone talk about it. On the seder night, you have to say it yourself or be yotzei with shomeia k’oneh.
- The Minchas Chinuch says that all year, you can say it to yourself. On the seder night, you have to say it to others.
- Rav Chaim Brisker says that on the seder night, you have to have questions and answers, give more details from the beginning of the chain of events, and explain Pesach, Matza, and Marror.
Rabbi Scheiner
