Arami Oved Avi by Liat

ארמי אבד אבי, וירד מצרימה ויגד שם במתי מעט, ויהי שם לגוי, גדול עצום ורב.

“An Aramean attempted to destroy my father. Then he descended to Egypt and Sojourned there, with few people; and there he became a nation- great, mighty ad numerous.”

Arami Oved Avi establishes the intense energy during the Maggid section of the seder. The father reveals to his son about his ancestor, Yaakov’s difficulties with his Aramean father in law, Lavan.

Pharoah wanted to destroy the Jewish people physically by drowning all the Jewish boys in the Nile; While, Lavan attempted to influence his daughters and grandchildren spiritually, by persuading them to assimilate to Egyptian culture. Yet, he fails because his daughter’s faith and morality clings onto truth.

Chazal analyzes the Pesuk and explains that Yaakov receives a prophecy from Hashem that forces him to travel to Egypt. However, he is assured that his family will behave like temporary dwellers, not comfortable settlers. Only seventy people journey to Egypt but after successful sixtuplet births, (according to Rashi) they unify in numerous measures. Not only were the Egyptians frightened by their quantitative representation, but also they were intimidated by their impact in humanistic advancements, highlighting their greatness and might. Ultimately, the Jews matured and developed as a people in Egypt. Even though they did not receive the mitzvot yet, their blood binded them together, committing themselves as Yaakov’s children- ethical monotheists, instead of Lavan’s immoral idolatry seekers.

This significant text isn’t found in the standard Exodus story- Parshat Shemot, Vaera, or Bo. Rather, it's a conversation between father and son about the danger of assimilation. Lavan tried to lure his children in unjust paths, a parallel challenge we deal with today. Our intermarriage rates are outrageous and there are more children growing up without their foundational Jewish identity. Sometimes, even the immoral choices are whispered by the family or friends so dear to us, interfering with our justful path- it's our responsibility to make the correct choice.

https://www.ou.org/holidays/passover/weil_arami_oved_avi/

http://www.alexisrael.org/pesach---arami-oved-avi

http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/arami-oved-avi-balancing-gratitude-and-appreciation/

http://parsha.blogspot.com/2009/09/rav-on-arami-oved-avi-in-haggadah.html

Haggadah of the Chassidic Masters, Artscroll Mesorah Series (Book)

The Seder Night: An Exalted Evening: The Passover Haggadah: With a Commentary Based on the Teachings of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik (Book)


haggadah Section: -- Four Questions