Deuteronomy 6:21 - Pass down Egypt's redemption story

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Hebrew Text

וְאָמַרְתָּ לְבִנְךָ עֲבָדִים הָיִינוּ לְפַרְעֹה בְּמִצְרָיִם וַיּוֹצִיאֵנוּ יְהוָה מִמִּצְרַיִם בְּיָד חֲזָקָה׃

English Translation

Then thou shalt say to thy son, We were the bondmen of Par῾o in Miżrayim; and the Lord brought us out of Miżrayim with a mighty hand:

Transliteration

Ve'amarta levinkha avadim hayinu lefar'o bemitzrayim vayotzi'einu Adonai mimitzrayim beyad chazaka.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ לְבִנְךָ֔ עֲבָדִ֛ים הָיִ֥ינוּ לְפַרְעֹ֖ה בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם וַיֹּצִיאֵ֧נוּ יְהֹוָ֛ה מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם בְּיָ֥ד חֲזָקָֽה׃

Parasha Commentary

The Mitzvah of Recounting the Exodus

This verse (Devarim 6:21) is part of the obligation to recount the Exodus from Egypt, a fundamental mitzvah in Judaism. The Rambam (Hilchot Chametz U'Matzah 7:1) emphasizes that one must vividly describe the miracles and wonders performed for our ancestors in Egypt, as this reinforces our faith in Hashem and His providence.

Rashi's Explanation of "Avadim Hayinu"

Rashi comments that we begin by stating "We were slaves" to cultivate humility before recounting the redemption. This follows the Talmudic principle (Pesachim 116a) that one must begin with disgrace (genut) and conclude with praise (shevach). By acknowledging our former servitude, we properly appreciate the magnitude of Hashem's salvation.

The Significance of "B'Yad Chazakah"

The phrase "with a mighty hand" refers to the ten plagues, as explained by Ibn Ezra. The Sforno adds that this emphasizes Hashem's direct intervention against nature, demonstrating His absolute mastery over creation. The "mighty hand" symbolizes both the power displayed in Egypt and the ongoing Divine protection of the Jewish people.

Educational Methodology

The Mechilta (Bo 18) derives from this verse important pedagogical principles for teaching children about Yetziat Mitzrayim:

The narrative must be personalized ("say to your son")
It should begin with our humble origins to inspire gratitude
The miracles must be attributed directly to Hashem
The account should emphasize the extraordinary nature of the redemption

Contemporary Application

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 21) explains that this commandment applies in every generation. By retelling the Exodus story with these prescribed details, we strengthen our connection to Jewish history and reaffirm our belief in future redemption. The Vilna Gaon notes that this verse establishes the framework for the Passover Seder's Maggid section.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Pesachim 116a

The verse is quoted in the context of the Passover Haggadah, where it is used to explain the obligation to recount the Exodus from Egypt during the Seder.

📖 Sotah 32b

The verse is referenced in a discussion about the importance of teaching children the story of the Exodus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 6:21 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 6:21 is part of the commandment to retell the story of the Exodus from Egypt to our children. It instructs us to say, 'We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt, and Hashem took us out with a mighty hand.' This verse emphasizes the importance of remembering our history and passing it down through generations, as explained in the Haggadah and by Rashi.

Q: Why is retelling the Exodus story important in Judaism?
A: Retelling the Exodus story is a core mitzvah (commandment) because it reinforces our gratitude to Hashem for freeing us from slavery and reminds us of our identity as Jews. The Rambam (Maimonides) teaches in Hilchot Chametz U'Matzah that recounting the miracles of Yetziat Mitzrayim (the Exodus) strengthens our faith and commitment to Torah.

Q: How do we fulfill the commandment in Deuteronomy 6:21 today?
A: We fulfill this commandment primarily during the Passover Seder, where we recite the Haggadah and discuss the Exodus in detail. The Talmud (Pesachim 116a) explains that we must tell the story in a way that children can understand, answering their questions just as the verse instructs ('And you shall tell your son').

Q: What does 'with a mighty hand' mean in this verse?
A: The phrase 'with a mighty hand' refers to the great miracles and plagues Hashem performed in Egypt to free the Jewish people. Rashi explains that this demonstrates Hashem's unlimited power and His special love for Israel, as He intervened directly to redeem us from slavery.

Q: Why does the verse say 'We were slaves' instead of 'They were slaves'?
A: The Torah uses 'we' to teach that every Jew must personally feel as if they themselves left Egypt (as stated in the Haggadah). The Midrash (Mechilta) explains that this language creates a living connection to our ancestors' experiences, making the Exodus relevant to every generation.