There is a theme that permeates all the mitzvos of korban Pesach and the Yom Tov of Pesach, which are given to Klal Yisroel in Parshas Bo. Specifically, time is of the essence in their performance. The korban Pesach must be offered at a very specific time; it can only be brought during the afternoon of erev Pesach. The meat of the korban Pesach must be eaten only during the night of the fifteenth of Nissan. According to one opinion, it may only be eaten according to Torah law until chatzos - halfway through the night. Unlike other korbanos that are eaten for two days, and others for a day and a night, the time to eat the korban Pesach is very limited. The mitzvos of chametz and matzah revolve around time as well - at halfway through the day of the fourteenth of Nissan, chametz becomes prohibited by Torah law. Although there are different opinions as to precisely which prohibitions (chametz on Pesach cannot be eaten, benefitted from, or owned) begin at this time, everyone agrees that the moment of chatzos on erev Pesach impacts the status of chametz. The positive mitzvah eating matza is also time sensitive. One can only fulfill the obligation to eat matzah after dark, which is different from Shabbos and most other yom tov meals. The mitzvah of eating matzah, according to some opinions, must also be performed before chatzos. The very difference between chametz and matza is related to time as well; they are made from the identical ingredients of flour and water, and differ only in that a dough that wasn't baked on time becomes chametz. What is it about the celebration of Pesach that makes it so focused on time?
Before Klal Yisroel are given the mitzvah of korban Pesach, they are commanded to observe the mitzvah of kiddush ha'chodesh - the sanctification of the new moon. It is the observance of Rosh Chodesh which determines the Jewish calendar that is the ultimate example of a mitzvah relating to time. It is this mitzvah that is the introduction to all of the mitzvos of Parshas Bo that follow. What is it about kiddush ha'chodesh that sets the stage for the entire celebration of Pesach?
There is a halacha that one cannot dedicate an object to the Beis Hamikdash unless one owns it. In a similar manner, one cannot sanctify time unless one "owns" it as well. All material possessions of a slave belong to his master; similarly, a slave's time is certainly not his own. By declaring Rosh Chodesh and sanctifying time, Klal Yisroel declare their freedom. The multiple mitzvos that require paying meticulous attention to the details of time are most apropos for the Yom Tov of Z'man Cherusenu - our time of freedom. Only someone who is free and is in control of time can sanctify time through the performance of mitzvos. It is this connection between freedom and the holiness of time that explains the relationship that yetzias Mitzrayim has with the other yomim tovim. In davening and in kiddush, all yomim tovim are described as times that are zecher l'yetziyas Mitzrayim. Pesach is obviously such a remembrance and Shavuos and Sukkos are connected historically to yetzias Mitzrayim. Yet, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, and Shemini Atzeres don't have any historical connection to yetzias Mitzrayim but are still referred to as zecher l'yetziyas Mitzrayim. Why? Because The notion of a day endowed with holiness is a direct result of yetzias Mitzrayim. Yomim tovim which could not have existed without the prerequisite of freedom are truly zecher l'yetziyas Mitzrayim.
Chazal teach us that true freedom can only be attained by studying Torah. The mitzvah of talmud Torah which requires an immense amount of time to perform properly is truly the measuring rod of freedom. By spending one's time productively on mastering Torah, one declares that he is the owner of his time and is choosing to sanctify it. Yetziyas Mitzrayim enabled us to sanctify our time, not on Pesach but for the several other days of Yom Tov as well. Only because of yetzias Mitzrayim are we able to spend our time in the study of Torah. May we always appreciate the great gift of time and sanctify it to the best of our abilities.
More divrei Torah, audio and video shiurim from Rabbi Sobolofsky