Pesach
The Mishnah asks: “what is the difference between the Pesach in Mitzrayim and the Pesach for future generations? The Pesach of Mitzrayim needed to be purchased on the 10th of Nissan and required sprinkling with a bundle of hyssop upon the lintel and the doorposts…”
Rashi asks: “why was there a special command in Mitzrayim to purchase the korbon Pesach on the 10th of Nissan which is not necessary for future generations?”
Rebi Masia Ben Charash explained: Hashem said “the time has come which I swore to Avrohom to redeem his sons, however they are not fitting. They don’t have any mitzvos to do in order to merit being taken out.” Therefore Hashem gave them two mitzvos: דם פסח and דם מילה. That evening they slaughtered the korbon Pesach and sprinkled the blood and they circumcised themselves.
The Maharal asks: what is unique about these specific two mitzvos that Hashem gave Yisrael to fulfill in order to be redeemed? The Maharal answers that originally we were slaves to Pharaoh. The milah was given to create a sign as a stamp or imprint impressed on our body that we are servants of Hashem. This is as we say in benching ועל בריתך שחתמת בבשרנו. It is not sufficient for a slave to have a sign that he is a slave without actually serving. Therefore Hashem also gave the mitzva of korbon Pesach which is an act of service. This is as the Torah states ועבדת את העבודה הזאת and you shall serve this service, referring to the korbon Pesach. It is not sufficient just to serve Hashem with the korbon Pesach because this is only one act of service, afterwards he is done; this is not enough to merit being redeemed. Rav Hartman explains that the milah made us into servants to Hashem by bringing ourselves into the domain of Hashem. Through this our Master acquired us. The offering of the korbon Pesach was our act of service to Hashem. Now this constitutes a complete עבדות.
Simply we tend to understand that Hashem took us out of Mitzrayim to become servants to Hashem. However, Rav Hartman based on this Maharal explains that it seems to be the opposite. Because we made ourselves into servants, we merited to be taken out of Mitzrayim, to serve Hashem.
May Hashem help us reinforce our becoming His servants and constantly serve Him by fulfilling the mitzvos.
