[NGFP-BookClub] Introductory remarks

[Bertha Permuth]

Dear Professor Shinan:

A.-Regarding  Ha Lachma Aniya:

1.-The origins  of HLA are uncertain.

2.-It is thought being composed in Babylon after the destruction of the
Temple.

3.-Its structure has been analysed as corresponding to three unrelated
sentences:
a.-"This is the bread of affliction that our fathers ate in the land of
Egypt". This sentence relates primarily to the importance of the Matzah.
b.-"All who are hungry, let them enter and eat,all who are in need, let them
come and celebrate Pesah". This sentence is an open invitation to the poor
and needy, no matter what he or she lacks or needs (physically or
spiritually), come in and make Pesah. This sentence in particular has been
related to TA"An 20b, in the Talmud, where R. Huna said before his meals
"Let every needy person come and eat".
c.-"This year we are here, next year we shall be in in the land of Israel.
This year we are slaves, next year we shall be free men". This sentence fits
perfectly the idea that HLA was composed in Babylon after the destruction of
the Temple ante exiled and slved people yearned to return to their homeland
Israel, as free men.

The HLA has been related to the "Minhag Avoteinu" (Custom of our fathers) to
feed the hunger, and more specifically to Abraham Avinu, who came from Aram
Naharaim and his language was aramaic, HENCE THE REASON TO USE ARAMAIC.

About the appearance of the HLA in the Haggadah, if its purpose primarly was
an open invitation, should precede the Kiddush and Karpas.

B.-About the "Yifsach" problem:

When the Seder as the special home ceremony on the first night of Pesah was
adapted in the Middle Ages by our sages of the Mishna, I would think that
several purposes they had on mind. The key words to me are "remebrance" and
"instruction".
By remembring the sacrifice of the paschal lamb, the exile from Egypt, all
the ritual performances, benedictions, we are being instructed from the time
when our ancestors were transient breeders of sheep and goats to our present
time.
The Haggadah, as well as the Seder itself, serve these purposes.

BERTHA PERMUTH (GUATEMALA).


On 3/2/06 3:00 PM, "avigdor shinan" <shinan at pluto.mscc.huji.ac.il> wrote:

> 
> Shalom to all
> its almost my time to go to bed (in Jerusalem) but i thought that I must
> first thank those of you who were the first to respond to my questions
> regarding HLA.
> 
> Since the rest of the Haggadah is in Hebrew - and good Hebrew - we still
> need to find an explanation for this unique armaic text in the Haggadah. any
> suggestions? The idea that the text was composed in times when people spoke
> this language brings another question: when and where weas it composed?
> 
> Another problem: do you see any reason to tell the "end of the story" before
> beginning it? in few seconds the child will ask "Ma Nishtana" (why is this
> night so different from all other nights) and we shall tell him about the
> Matza etc, but we have already (in HLA) told him what the Matzah is all
> about!!
> 
> The word "Yifsach" is also problematic because it means: will eat the
> sacrifice of Passover. We do not - as you know - eat any sacrifices any
> more. So is the text so early? was it composed in the time when sacrifices
> were still brought to the temple?
> 
> Here are some new questions for you to think about while i say good night
> avigdor shinan
> .
> 
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