The Midrash Yalkut Shimoni raises the following question:
When the Torah describes the holidays of Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot, the word שמח (rejoice) appears for Shavuot and Sukkot and is absent for Pesach. Why doesn't the Torah use this term in regard to Pesach?
When the Torah describes the holidays of Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot, the word שמח (rejoice) appears for Shavuot and Sukkot and is absent for Pesach. Why doesn't the Torah use this term in regard to Pesach?
בשביל שמתו בו המצריים. וכן אתה מוצא כל שבעת ימי החג אנו קורין בהן את ההלל אבל בפסח אין אנו קורין את ההלל אלא ביום טוב הראשון ולילו.
למה? משום "בנפול אויבך אל תשמח ובכשלו אל יגל לבך". (משלי כד,יז)
Because [many]Egyptians died. On all seven days of the holiday, we sing the [abridged]Hallel, but on Passover we do not sing the [full]Hallel except on the first Yom Tov and the night.
Why?
Because when your enemy falls do not rejoice and when he fails do not be joyous in your heart. (Proverbs Chapter 24, verse 17)
Why?
Because when your enemy falls do not rejoice and when he fails do not be joyous in your heart. (Proverbs Chapter 24, verse 17)
Rabbi Dr. Eduard Baneth, (a 20th century German rabbi) explained that this is the reason that we spill a drop of wine from our cups when we recite the ten plagues during the seder. This symbolic act demonstrates that even on the day that we celebrate our deliverance, we acknowledge the suffering of the Egyptians.