By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5TJT.com Although, most shuls held the Shabbos HaGadol drasha last Shabbos, there are other minhagim of Shabbos HaGadol that are done on this coming Shabbos. Rabbi Moshe Isserles (1530-1572) in his glosses to the Shulchan Aruch (OC 430) writes: “And the Minhag is to recite the Hagaddah at Mincha of Shabbos HaGadol..” The Vilna Gaon (1720-1797)  explains: From that time – Shabbos afternoon the redemption began through the taking of the Paschal lamb.. But this is not [to be done], for it says in the Mechilta end of Parshas Bo.. I would have thought from Rosh Chodesh but it says, “On that day..” I would have thought it could have been done even while it was daylight, but it says, “Ba’avur ze” – in the time when you have Matzah and Marror resting before you. TIME VERSUS METHOD A number of commentators have asked on the Vilna Gaon that the Mechilta is discussing the timing of the obligation of reciting the Hagaddah.  Who cares if this custom mentioned in the Ramah does not conform to the exact method of fulfilling it? IS IT A POSSIBLE BAL TOSIF ISSUE OR JUST AN IMPROPER MINHAG ISSUE? Some commentators suggest that the Gra means that the recitation of the Hagaddah not during this time is a form of Bal Tosif – adding on to the Torah. Others understand the Vilna Gaon’s comment as it being an inappropriate Minhag because it is not based on the actual method of fulfilling the obligation of reciting the Hagaddah. ANSWERS OF THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND IT AS A BAL TOSIF ISSUE Rabbi Boruch Frankel Teumim zt”l (1760-1828), the Sanzer Rebbe’s father-in-law, in a sefer published by the Chebiner Kollel that it could be that the Ramah would agree to the Vilna Gaon but holds that the prohibition would only be for “vehigadeta lebincha” when one recites it to his son at a different time. But if he is merely reciting it to himself – then there is no prohibition. In other words, the Ramah would hold that it is so significantly different than the actual obligation – that there is no problem of adding onto the Torah. The Gerrer Rebbe, Reb Pinchas Menachem Alter provides a different explanation citing Rabban Gamliel that whomsoever does not mention Pesach Matzah uMarror has not fulfilled the obligation.  Since this is not mentioned – the Vilna Gaon’s animadversions would be resolved. ANSWERS OF THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND IT AS AN IMPROPER MINHAG ISSUE Rav Meshulem Dovid Soloveitchik zt”l in Shiurei R’ Meshulem Dovid HaLevi Al HaTorah (vol. II p. 118) suggests the possibility that the Vilna Gaon is of the opinion that a Minhag has to be significantly similar to the actual Mitzvah in order to be a valid Minhag.  Since the mechilta’s words are that the hagaddah must be recited with the actual presence of Matzah and Marror, the Vilna Gaon dismisses it as being a valid Minhag.  The Ramah, on the other hand, might hold that it is just a practical Minhag to be a bit more familiar with the words of the Hagaddah. Rav Shalom Povarsky zt”l (1935-2020) quoted the Brisker Rav, Rav Yitzchok Zev Soloveitchik (1886-1959) that saying the Hagaddah is like reciting Kiddush.  Just as Kiddush must be recited over wine, so too […]

The post Hagaddah on Shabbos HaGadol:  The Vilna Gaon versus The RaMah appeared first on The Yeshiva World.