Rabbi Yonason SacksArami Oveid Avi

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In describing the obligation of sippur yetziyas Mitzrayim, the Gemarah (Pesachim 116b) mandates that one recite the paragraph of "Arami Oved Avi," generally recited upon the delivery of the bikkurim to Yerushalayim. The rishonim and achronim have long dealt with the question of why the parsha of bikkurim was incorporated into the mitzvah of sippur yetziyas Mitzrayim. The Ohr Sameach (Hilchos Chametz U'Matzah 7:4) adopts a linguistic approach: the Gemarah (Pesachim 36) derives from the epithet "lechem oni" that matzah is "lechem she'onim alav d'varim harbei." The same root, "anah" is employed by the Torah regarding bikkurim, in which the Torah states, "v'anisa v'amarta". This dictional similarity connects the two passages, thereby including mikra bikkurim on Seder night.

The Abarbanel, however, maintains a more conceptual approach: both sippur yetziyas Mitzrayim and mikra bikkurim constitute the paradigmatic expressions of thanksgiving to HaKadosh Baruch Hu. Both mitzvos thank HaKadosh Baruch Hu for the good which He has bestowed -particularly, the Exodus from Mitzrayim - and both passages begin with "gnus" and conclude with "shevach." In comparing the two mitzvos, Abarbanel goes as far as to suggest that one should see the items on the Seder plate as a form of bikkurim, thanking HaKadosh Baruch Hu for the wondrous Exodus from Mitzrayim.

The relationship between sippur yetziyas Mitzrayim and bikkurim is particularly clear from the Ramban's (Shemos 13:16) understanding of sippur yetziyas Mitzrayim. The Ramban argues that the purpose of the awesome miracles of yetziyas Mitzrayim is to attune individuals throughout the generations to the myriad of "hidden" miracles which HaKadosh Baruch Hu performs each and every day. These miracles are no less deserving of acknowledgement and thanksgiving on the part of the individual. In the mitzvah of bikkurim, we do just that: the farmer acknowledges that the most "natural" processes of agriculture and planting are not a result of his own efforts, but rather a miraculous gift from HaKadosh Baruch Hu which deserves thanksgiving.