Pesach: The Fifteen Maalos of Dayeinu
- In Moadim
AI summary (may contain mistakes)
Why does Dayenu count fifteen maalos, and why does it stand where it does in the Haggadah? Fifteen stands for completion, as in the Shir HaMaalos, the steps in the Beis HaMikdash and Hashem's name Yud-Hei. Many Rishonim see Dayenu as the drasha of the last bikurim pasuk, kept after the pasuk itself was dropped. We then follow the Haggadah through Rabban Gamliel, matzah and maror, b'chol dor vador and lefichach, and a vart reads the fifteen as simanim by which Hashem claims His lost sheep.
Key points
- Following Rashi, the Arami's intention to destroy us is counted as if he did it.
- The fifteen maalos match the fifteen Shir HaMaalos, the Mikdash steps and Yud-Hei.
- The Ramban counts us redeemed only on returning to the maalah of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov.
- Outside Eretz Yisrael the pasuk was dropped, but many Rishonim say its drasha stayed as Dayenu.
- The Rambam has us show cheirus with two mitzvos, the four cups and haseba.