2022/5782
The Haggadah is filled with so many songs that we have cherished singing since we were in preschool, however, the Haggadah text itself refers to the songs that we will sing as a celebration of freedom and redemption.
Towards the end of the maggid section in the paragraph of “Lifichach” we thank and praise Hashem for all the miracles He has done “for our forefathers and for us,” taking us “from darkness to great light”. We conclude, “Let us recite before Him a new song: Halleluyah!” We recognize the miracles of God as an imperative to sing a “Shira Chadashah”, “new song”. Later on, in the final paragraph of maggid (“Asher Ge’alanu”), we again refer to our desire to sing a ‘new song’ as a thanksgiving to Hashem. After describing the sacrifices that we will one day merit to bring in the Beit HaMikdash, we say: “We will then thank You with a new song for our redemption and for the deliverance of our souls”. We look forward to the time when we will sing a “Shir Chadash”, “new song”.
A closer read of both of these references to singing ‘a new song’, presents us with a grammatical question. In the first paragraph “a new song” is written in the feminine form – “Shira Chadashah”. In the final paragraph “a new song” is written in a masculine form – “Shir Chadash”. Why does the Haggadah use varying grammar in these two instances?
The key to unlocking this question can be found in a Tosafot (Arvei Pesachim, 116b). There, Tosafot quotes the Mechilta which distinguishes between two different typologies of redemptions. Feminine redemption, so to speak, signifies an incomplete redemption, filled with pain, struggles, and setbacks; much like a woman in pregnancy and childbirth. Masculine redemption, on the other hand, refers to a complete redemption, without pain, struggles, and setbacks. The male does not experience the pains of pregnancy and childbirth.
Tosafot, therefore, explains that we only sing the “shir chadash” in the masculine form for the ultimate redemption - in the times of Mashiach. At that point, the redemption will be complete, and painless. For smaller, non-Messianic redemptions— both on an individual level and on a national level— we sing a “shira chadasha”. We sing in celebration of the redemption, but we also acknowledge that we still experience some pain, struggles, and setbacks.
We sing a “Shira Chadashah” – in feminine form – for the imperfect redemption.
We sing a “Shir Chadash” – in masculine form– for the ultimate redemption.
This helps explain the grammatical change we see in the haggadah. In the first paragraph of “Lifichach”, we thank Hashem for redeeming us from our personal struggles by singing a “shira chadasha”. In the later paragraph of “Asher Gealanu”, we hope towards the ultimate redemption, when we can sing a “shir chadash”.
One of the early Hassidic masters, Rabbi Yakov Yitzchak Horowitz (also known as the Seer of Lublin), uses this very distinction between masculine and feminine redemption in a beautiful, homiletic interpretation of the opening pasuk from this week’s Parashah, “אִשָּׁה כִּי תַזְרִיעַ וְיָלְדָה זָכָר,” “When a woman conceives and gives birth to a male” (Devarim 12:2).
The Parashah begins with a description of the procedure for a woman who births a male child. While much of this procedure is only relevant in the times of the Temple, the great Seer of Lublin invokes this redemption symbolism in his homiletic read of this pasuk. This verse can serve as a prayer for the Jewish people. We have experienced many moments of “אשה כי תזריע” – a ‘feminine’ incomplete redemption filled with pains. Throughout the generations, Hashem has redeemed us, yet we still have struggles and hardships. This experience is symbolized by the opening of the pasuk, “When a woman conceives”. But then the pasuk continues: “…and gives birth to a male”. We long for moments of “וילדה זכר” – complete redemption, symbolized by the birth of a boy.
As we head into Pesach, Hashem should answer all the individual prayers of the Jewish people and grant each person with a personal redemption. But, ultimately, may Hashem answer the prayers of the Jewish Nation, so that we can all join together to sing one harmonious ‘shir chadash’ – an exuberant new song, like no song that has ever been sung before.