Between Song and Tears

Understanding the Shirah of Pesach amidst tragedy

The power and significance of shirah during Pesach is undeniable. We begin Pesach with the Seder, where we celebrate and express our gratitude to Hashem through joyful songs that highlight His taking us out of Mitzrayim and getting us to where we are today. On Shabbos Chol Hamoed, we recite Shir Hashirim, which reflects upon our relationship with the Ribbono Shel Olam during galus and how Hashem guides us toward the geulah until the ultimate tikkun is complete. Finally, on the last day of Pesach, we read Az Yashir, the song of Moshe and the B’nei Yisrael upon the splitting of the sea.

Shirah is a powerful and profound expression of gratitude to the Ribbono Shel Olam. In the Gemara¹ (Sanhedrin 94), it is related that Hashem considered designating Chizkiyahu Hamelech as Mashiach and Sancheriv as Gog and Magog. But the middas ha’din intervened and reminded Hashem that even though Chizkiyahu had experienced countless miracles, including being saved from Sancheriv and recovery from a terminal illness, he did not offer any praise or songs to Hashem. If David Hamelech, who had recited many songs and praises before Hashem, was not designated as Mashiach, how could Chizkiyahu be chosen without demonstrating his appreciation through shirah? Thus, the opportunity for the geulah was lost.

We learn from here the significance of shirah for the past in bringing about the era of Mashiach. Yet, Rav Reuven Sasson² raises a fascinating question: The words "Az Yashir" signify that we will sing this shirah in the future, however, the above Gemara seems to imply that the shirah for the geulah is for the past. Which is it: is the shirah for the geulah a song about the past, or a song about the future?

I would like to posit that the shirah of the geulah is neither about the past nor the future.

Rav Tzadok of Lublin teaches³ that true shirah can only be achieved when one recognizes the present. He further explains that the levels attained by our forefathers are available for us to access at certain times of the year and utilize to sing a shirah for the present moment. The shirah of the geulah, therefore, is the shirah of the present.

To sing is to be fully immersed in the present—to focus on what exists now and to acknowledge the miracles surrounding us at this very moment. The shirah of the geulah is not limited to recounting past or future events but is rather an expression of gratitude for the present moment. By recognizing Hashem’s hashgachah in our daily lives, we can tap into the same level of connection with Him as our forefathers did and sing a heartfelt and authentic shirah for the present moment.

The shirah of Moshe Rabbeinu, a taste of the shirah of Mashiach, was also a celebration of the present moment. It serves as a reminder that shirah is not limited by time but reflects our connection with Hashem in the present.

Rav Moshe David Valli writes⁴ that during dark and challenging times, when we feel distant from Hashem, crying out to Him in tefillah brings us one step closer to the geulah. Perhaps the ultimate shirah is Shir Hashirim; it is the shirah of the past, present, and future. To fully comprehend the past and prepare for the future, one must live in the present moment. Rav Tzadok teaches⁵ that the greater the darkness, the brighter the light will shine, revealing more clarity.

Despite Shlomo Hamelech's luxurious lifestyle, which can be viewed as a form of spiritual darkness, he was able to write Shir Hashirim, which, according to Rav Tzadok, is the most inspiring song of the Jewish People's love toward Hashem. Shlomo's experience teaches us that even during times of darkness, we can still merit the greatest revelations of light.

The past months have been a period of profound loss and sorrow, marked by the devastating impact of war, illness, and terror, all of which have taken away many of our finest individuals. This period has undeniably been challenging and heart-wrenching for us all.

Despite the pain, we continue to sing the timeless songs of the chag with unwavering strength. Our songs serve as a powerful force that drowns out the tears.

Although we may feel caught in a tug-of-war between our tears and our song, ultimately, the song prevails. We are in the midst of celebrating Pesach, a time of joy and gratitude. We know that the tears will come at the right time, but for now, we embrace the hope and joyfulness that the chag brings.

Although we may have felt caught in a tug-of-war between our tears and our song, ultimately, the song prevailed.

Rav Tzadok teaches⁶ that at the time of the geulah, we will sing a “shir chadash.” It will be a time called Shir Chadash. It will be a time when we are able to constantly be in a state of being fully present and recognizing each moment as an opportunity for a new and unique expression of gratitude through song.

Perhaps the shirah of Pesach, the song of the present, allows us to tap into this holy shirah of the moment and express our appreciation to the Ribbono Shel Olam. Although we can currently only access this level of connection a few times a year, we can use these moments as a source of spiritual strength to help us build our spiritual resilience, both as individuals and as a community, to face the challenges and tears that await us.

As we remain in galus, our journey has been difficult and treacherous, but on Pesach, we sing Shir Hashirim, the holiest of holy songs according to Rebbe Akiva⁷, and Az Yashir, which is a foretaste of the geulah. Through our songs, we reaffirm our relationship with Hashem and declare our readiness to return home, where we will sing the “shir chadash” — a song of the present, written by the ink of our soul and the tears of our past.

1. Sanhedrin 94

2. B’Or Panecha - Haggadah Shel Pesach

3. Resisei Layla 8

4. Shir Hashirim, Tanyana, 2:5–8

5. Resisei Layla 17

6. Resisei Layla 8

7. Yedayim; 3:5